Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!gatech!purdue!haven!umbc3.umbc.edu!umbc1.umbc.edu!robie From: robie@umbc1.umbc.edu (Mr. William Robie; POSI (GRAD)) Newsgroups: rec.skydiving Subject: Re: AFF training Message-ID: <1991Apr21.211115.4908@umbc3.umbc.edu> Date: 21 Apr 91 22:01:47 GMT References: <32987@mimsy.umd.edu> <1113@wa4mei.UUCP> Sender: newspost@umbc3.umbc.edu (News posting account) Reply-To: robie@umbc1.umbc.edu Distribution: usa Organization: UMBC University of Maryland Baltimore county - Baltimore, MD, US Lines: 21 >In <32987@mimsy.umd.edu> jerrys@mobby.umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski) writes: >>1. AFF is much more expensive per jump than S/L thereby attracting >> first jumpers with much more discretionary money. Because >> of this, the sport has moved from bikers and ex-special forces >> types (basic nere-do wells) into the raquetball set with >> Jeeps and Air-Jordans. Jerry - I really *tried* to let this one slip past, but the bite marks on my lip just won't go away. Perhaps the point(s) about AFF are good and true, but categorizing ex-special forces types as ne're-do-wells is a bit uncalled for. Yes ... we all know that certain "GI Joe" who won't let go (and is an a**hole) but they are the exception. The raquetball set does have its apparent advantages, but, along with the Jeeps and Air-Jordans they also have hair-trigger lawyers. In the "old days," we used to look out for each other on the ground and in the air ... that was part of the special forces mentality that was a plus (trusting each other to do pin checks, etc.). I can't *as* easily picture "Biff" or "Muffy" trying to track down to an unconscious diver as I can "Sgt. Rock" ... maybe it is just my warped sense of values. :)