DigDug
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Posts posted by DigDug
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By the way, this isn't King George's army...
If you don't like the blues policy, do like me and do your best to voice your oppinion and defy it the best you can.
If everyone plays "good" and just agrees with idiodic policies, then they will never change. Someone has to look them in the ey and tell them "hell no!".
When commanders feel like they're losing control, that's when they tighten the reigns - making life miserable for everyone. Follow the simple orders (wearing blues on Monday is really a simple order) and don't whine (aka - voice your opposition) about it in public (I'd argue that whining here is probably appropriate). If the old man sees people defying his order to wear blues on Mondays, you can bet that the new order will be to wear blues every day you're not flying - or even worse, even on days when you're flying (change into a flight suit for the flight and back out again when you're done). I don't like blues either - but it's a simple fricking order man!!
What I'm trying to say is QUIT YOUR WHINY B!TCH!ING AND PUT YOUR EFFING BLUES ON EVERY MONDAY MORNING!!!! I believe "back to basics" was the purpose of this Monday blues exercise - back to the basics of doing what the F*** you're told! Stop screwing it up for the rest of us with your pathetic defiance!!!
/soapbox
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I noticed corporate travel gives the CEOs a substantial advantage over his air carrier riding competition.
Except for the PR ramifications when CNN and SOME members of congress get ahold of the fact...
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CNN's top story this morning:
Marine motorcycle deaths top their Iraq combat fatalitiesFrom Larry Shaughnessy
CNN Pentagon Producer
QUANTICO, Virginia (CNN) -- Motorcycle accidents have killed more Marines in the past 12 months than enemy fire in Iraq, a rate that's so alarming it has prompted top brass to call a meeting to address the issue, officials say.
Twenty-five Marines have died in motorcycle crashes since last November -- all but one of them involving sport bikes that can reach speeds of well over 100 mph, according to Marine officials. In that same period, 20 Marines have been killed in action in Iraq.
The 25 deaths are the highest motorcycle death toll ever for the Marine Corps.
Gen. James Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, told CNN that commanders are trying to drill down on what "we need to do to help our Marines survive on these sport bikes."
"The Marines are very serious about it," he said. VideoWatch these aren't your father's Harleys »
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Art Tucker knows all too well about the dangers of sport bikes. An owner of a Kawasaki Ninja, Tucker has had two crashes, and the second one nearly killed him.
"I sustained a broken collar bone, I tore the shoulder out of the socket, I tore three ligaments in the shoulder, the rotator cuff, I broke three vertebrae," said Tucker, a drill instructor for new officers.
"The worst was a head injury I received: a bruised brain. And it caused hemorrhaging, and from that I had partial paralysis of the left leg, full paralysis of the left foot and toes, and that was for approximately six months."
Amos said he and other top Marine officials will spend half the day Monday "focusing on nothing but motorcycle issues." The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Conway, and other senior leadership will attend the meeting at the Quantico, Virginia, Marine base, he said.
About 18,000 of the nearly 200,000 Marines are believed to own motorcycles, Amos said.
The Marines have taken some measures. The Marine Corps has had a long-standing policy for all Marines who ride motorcycles to take a mandatory basic riding course. More recently, it added a second training course specifically designed to train Marines who ride sport bikes.
Any Marine caught riding, even on leave, without going through the training courses faces Marine Corps punishment, officials say.
On a recent day at the Quantico training track, Marines whizzed by on their bikes.
"I think the basic rider course has been great," said Cpl. Austin Oakley. "Here, they put you in situations you want to be weary of out in that open road."
Oakley said he recently returned to the United States from Japan, and he immediately jumped at the chance to buy a sport bike. He said it's not uncommon for Marines to have motorcycle clubs within their units.
"We'll go out on rides together. Fridays for lunchtime, we'll all meet up and go to lunch," Oakley said. "When I get on my motorcycle, it's me and the motorcycle. I don't need to go fast. I don't need to do anything like that. It's just being free."
The rise in motorcycle deaths isn't confined to Marines. The Navy says it's had 33 deaths on motorcycles over the past 12 months -- a 65 percent jump from the previous time period. And authorities say motorcycle deaths have been a problem in the civilian world, too.
Military officials say they're not sure why the deaths are on the rise. They initially believed the accidents might involve mostly young Marines and sailors around 18 or 19 years old. But Navy statistics show that five of the victims were 25, the most prevalent of any age involved in the crashes. And two 40-year-old sailors were killed in motorcycle crashes.
Gen. Amos said the Marines have seen a similar trend.
But he says the new training seems to be working: Of the 300 young men and women who have gone through the sport-bike course, only three have had accidents.
The safety course instructors said some Marines who go through the training decide the sport bike is not for them.
But even some Marines who've survived past crashes still want to ride again, even after they get the new training.
"I enjoy it," said Tucker. "I can actually get on my motorcycle and ride, and it's just like if I were to do bowling or rock climbing or scuba diving. It's something for me. It relaxes me."
I realize that story is USMC specific, but you can be sure all the services will react...
Get ready for the safety briefing/counseling/etc $h!t-Storm!!!
Just in time before I take my 2-year ERC refresher on Monday....
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Like mentioned earlier - I'd stay away from the pure sport bikes. I'm not a sport bike guy (I gotta have some dirt in my diet), but I've heard many accomplished riders rave about the Suzuki SV-650 for beginners:
They're relatively affordable, great motor (reliable, easy maintenance, beginner friendly power curve, etc), and hold their value pretty well (if you buy used that is). The newer ones are also available with ABS - something I think every beginner should have.
If you want more touring and a more upright seating position, take a look at the Suzuki DL650, V-Strom:
It's the same motor as the SV (tuned to provide more power down low -vs- revving like it's sport brother), but it's got a more comfy seat, bigger windshield, and all sorts of options for luggage for your longer trips. I know guys that ride these V-Stroms for days on end - that'd be the bike to take to Alaska from CONUS.. You can also get ABS on that bike too...
It's been said before, and I'll say it again - BUY USED!!! You WILL drop the bike if you've never ridden before. You should be able to pick up either of those bikes, ride it for a couple years to get your skill level up, and sell it without taking a hit...
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What a truckload of douchebags. Nice to see they got the little kids in the neighborhood involved in their degenerate lifestyle, too. People like that are why I have a concealed carry permit. I would love to see how hard they are when someone pulls a real gun on them. Half of the ones they had in their video had a receipt from Toys R Us to go along with them. Bunch of fags... Suddenly finance doesn't seem like a bad place to hang out.
It's Kaliforniastan... Good luck getting a permit to carry concealed there...
How does the saying go? "When guns are outlawed - only outlaws will have guns"?
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Both wrong.
It's a hot water heater, obviously.
If the water is already hot, why do you need to heat it?
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Any motorcycle gear suppliers offer a military discount?
Cycle Gear offers discounts in their stores (at least the ones I've been to), but I'm not sure about online orders (you'll have to call and ask). It used to be 10% but just this weekend I bought some stuff and they told me they upped it to 15%, but that might be because the dealers around here all offer a 15% discount on parts/gear and they had to compete.
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I have a 2006 636. I started riding back in 1999 on a Ninja 250 and got bored with it real quick, however I recommend anybody new to riding to consider the 250 as a first bike.
And I definitely recommend a 600cc over liter bike for twisties.
Laters
Hard to tell, but looking at that second picture, it looks like you need a new chain - that thing looks a little rusted.
Snapping a chain is a bad, bad experience...
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I've only ridden a couple times and never owned a bike, and this is going to be the bike I'm going to teach myself on. I'm 6ft, 165 lbs and right now my commute is around 10 miles each way, and mostly in town. I live on the outskirts of a town and the dirt bike side appealed to me because there's tons of dirt roads and trails around my house. I'm finished with school and I have four months to learn how to ride before I leave for OTS, then I'll have casual before UPT. I'm not sure how the areas are around most of the UPT bases but from searching it sounds like most of them are somewhat rural, with not much freeway cruising. I thought that a bike would be an easy way to get around, and make the quick trips on/off base while saving on gas. Like you stated I'm looking for something that I'll be rising mostly on street, but traditional street bikes don't really appeal to me because of the seating position. I'd like the bike to be somewhat new because I don't know much about maintenance, and I was looking at the TW because it has a great support forum and parts are cheap. I'll look at the bikes you recommended and I'd really appreciate any feedback you or anyone could give me.
6' tall on a TW is going to be painful for anything other than a short jaunt - just my opinion. Have you sat on one? (Find your nearest Yamaha dealer and check it out).
You'll find that dual-sports are compromises and anything you get will either be good on the street or good in the dirt - but not do both very well. That's why I've got two
... The 950 is great for the street, but heavy on the dirt (I'd call it a 90/10 - street/dirt bike - but way too much bike on both for a beginner) and the 450 is tiny for the street but awesome in the dirt (10/90 street/dirt bike).If you're going to do mostly street, but want to try a graded fire road, I'd recommend the KLR-650. They've been around forever, are cheap to buy and maintain, and have better street manners than most of the dual-sports. If you don't mind less comfort on the street (wind/vibration/etc), go with the DRZ-400S and you'll have an easier time in the dirt.
Check out the ThumperTalk board. They've got a pretty good dual-sport forum where you can spend hours reading opinions on bikes.
Oh... and do yourself a favor and don't teach yourself (please, don't become a "self-taught" statistic)! Enroll in an MSF safety course. You'll need that course to ride on base anyways. Also, budget for some good safety gear (helmet, jacket, pants, gloves, boots, etc...)
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Does anyone on here own or has anyone ridden a Yamaha TW200? I'm looking for a good cheap bike that I can learn on in the dirt, that I can occasionally ride the few miles work. It will probably be used for 80% street/20% dirt. What I like about the TW200 is the fact that for around $2500 I can get a 2005 or newer with low miles that is pretty cheap to work on(Change sprockets, etc). Any input from you guys would be great.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products...10/0/specs.aspx
I've got a few buddies that have or have had TW's. They're lots of fun as a little play bike. The fat back tire is perfect for sand and the low seat height is great for putzing around. It'd make the perfect bike to hang off the back of a motorhome for running to the store/cruising around camp.
How big are you (height/weight) - a 200 might get old really quickly, especially on the street (you mention 80% street). What's your dirt and/or street experience like? What's your commute like (I don't think I'd enjoy the TW on any type of freeway or for any longer distances)? What type of dirt are you interested in (sand/goat-trails/graded gravel roads)? Where do you live?
For $2500 you could probably find a late model (less than 5 years old) DRZ-400S that would probably be a better choice given your dirt/street percentages... It's a bit bigger (taller/heavier) but should have the power to pull you around the dirt and up to freeway speeds. Or pick up a used KLR-650 for the street (will do graded gravel and even more dirt if you can handle the weight) and a beater dirtbike (old XR-250 or something) to get your feet dirtier.
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Any of you guys ride on base with this vest? It looks a lot better than the typical road guard vest, plus its got a waterproof pouch on the back and an ID card thingy for the front. I think I might pick one up here in Tucson.
BTW, during a safety day coming up here at D-M, the safety guys are going to inspect everyones bike, MSF card, and PPE and if your in compliance they'll give you an ACC sticker or something. I think this will help out the whole, "show me your MSF card" at the gate. Sounds gay, but it'll save hassle going through the gate.
I have that same vest - seems to be pretty much what I've seen all the military guys around here use. I bought it 2.5 years ago (the orange version) and it's faded quite a bit from being used in the sun. The only complaint I have is that it doesn't breathe very well. I wear it most of the year, but when it gets hot, it makes my mesh jacket pretty much useless so I go back to the mesh road-guard vest. The pocket in the back is great for a spare set of gloves, your wallet or whatever. The ID holder works well, and there's also a zip-up pocket on the right front that'll work for a small cellphone or whatnot. I put my garage door opener in that pocket and can work it with gloves and without unzipping it - pretty nice when I get home...
If you wear a backpack and want to put the vest over it, you'll need to extend the sides a little. I went to REI and bought a longer section of thin bungy-cord for each side. Works great!!!
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Seriously Mom, it just followed me home from school!!!
Here's my new ride:
Brand new 2006 (leftover) KTM 950 Adventure...
The most fun I've had on pavement!!!
My other orange bike has been lonely without a big brother.
That's a 2007 KTM 450 EXC - the most fun I've had off the pavement!!!
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[soapbox]
Ahhh.. another great example of the "Entitlement Generation" (look it up, or as the E-Gen would say "Google it")
Lots of these kids have been catered to their entire upbringing...
Welcome to a society (USAF flying community) where you're not longer entitled to ANYTHING.... YOU HAVE TO EARN IT!!!
Just a word of advice, please don't share your "concerns" with those in your squadron - It'll follow you around for a long time.
[/soapbox]
Holy crap - I'm getting old!!!!!
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I've heard the theory from more than a few people that noise-cancelling headsets may actually be more harmful, but haven't seen any evidence to support it. Apparently, Bose and other ANR headsets creates the "illusion" of quiet by creating sounds that cancel ambient noise. So, as the theory goes, you're getting twice the vibrations in your ear than with ambient noise alone which could cause more damage. It's counter-intuitive because they do a heck of a great job, but wonder if there's any basis for this.
Has anyone heard anything similar?
I'm no engineer, but I'm sure there are some here that will speak up, but I think that theory is inaccurate. Sound travels in waves and the way ANR headsets work is to create waves 180 degrees out of sync with the ambient noise - thereby "canceling" the ambient noise. A +1 and a -1 equals 0. If you were getting vibrations on your eardrum, you'd hear it - that's how eardrums work.
Here's a pretty good article: How stuff works
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You forgot one important point...
4.6.6. All other retirees, contractors, dependents, and civilians who operate a motorcycle while on an
AF installation are encouraged, but not required, to attend an approved motorcycle rider safety course.
Outstanding!
Cheers! M2
That is outstanding for you retired guys...
Better go to the e-publishing site and search for 91-207 though. There's two pages of search results - yup you guessed it - command and base supplements.
Heck AETC's is longer than the basic pub and there appears to be two separate supplements!!!!
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Here's the verbiage from AFI91-207 THE US AIR FORCE TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM
4.6. Motorcycle and ATV Operator Training.4.6.1. Initial Training. All military personnel at any time, on or off an AF installation, and all AF civilian personnel on a AF installation or off an installation in a duty status who operate a motorcycle on a roadway, and all operators of government owned motorcycles, are required to attend and complete an approved motorcycle rider education course. Those seeking to become motorcycle operators on roadways must comply with the skills training, permit and license requirements of state, territory, host nation or applicable Status of Forces agreements. MAJCOM or equivalent (unless delegated to the installation) will develop procedures to comply with the requirement.
4.6.2. Absent exceptional circumstances, personnel should not be required to wait more than 30 days during the local riding season to receive training. Commanders may authorize riders awaiting training to ride on and off base for up to 30 days in accordance with MAJCOM or equivalent guidance, provided riders are complying with all permit and license requirements of the state, territory, host nation or applicable Status of Forces agreements.
4.6.3. Recommended Refresher Training. Personnel as listed in paragraphs 1.1.1.1. and 1.1.1.2. who operate a motorcycle on a roadway, and all operators of government owned motorcycles, should attend and complete at least one MAJCOM approved motorcycle rider education course every three years. This may include retaking a previously completed course, completing an additional hands-on course or module, or completing an instructor certification course or workshop. MAJCOM or equivalent (unless delegated to the installation) should develop procedures as necessary.
4.6.4. Commanding officers of installations within the same commuting area as other DoD installations are encouraged to establish joint training programs.
4.6.5. Air Force Foreign Nationals (AFFN) working at overseas installations will comply with the Status of Forces Agreement in effect at the overseas location. If training is required, it will be provided at no cost.
4.6.6. All other retirees, contractors, dependents, and civilians who operate a motorcycle while on an AF installation are encouraged, but not required, to attend an approved motorcycle rider safety course. Installation safety offices may provide this training on a space-available basis.
4.6.7. Air Force and DoD Approved Motorcycle Rider Education Training Courses.
4.6.7.1. Safety training must include the appropriate Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course or MSF-based State curriculum for motorcycle operators. Courses must be taught by certified or licensed instructors and include hands-on training, a riding skills evaluation and a knowledge based evaluation. Commanders shall accept the completion card of any MSF or MSF-based state motorcycle training course that includes a written and riding evaluation as proof of successful completion of the required training. The following are approved MSF hands-on courses that meet the DoD and Air Force initial course completion requirement for motorcycle operators:
4.6.7.1.1. Course IVA, Basic Rider Course (BRC). Courses in use, or used in the past, that meet this course completion requirement are the MSF BRC, Motorcycle Rider Course: Riding and Street Skills (MRC:RSS).
4.6.7.1.2. Course IVB, Experienced Rider Course. Courses in use, or used in the past, that meet this course completion requirement are the MSF Experienced Rider Course Suite (ERC-S), and the Experienced Riders Course (ERC).
4.6.7.2. Invalid DoD and Air Force Sponsored Motorcycle Courses. Courses used by the DoD and Air Force in the past, which no longer meet the current hands-on training requirement, include MOST, MOST II (Alt MOST), MMII, and a classroom only course previously called Motorcycle Challenges Course VII.
4.6.7.3. Operators of motorcycles with attached sidecars or three wheeled motorcycles do not require MSF training. In the event the side car is removed MSF training is required.
A few points:
4.6.1 - If you're active duty, you HAVE to have the course before your ride, on or off base. (Can anyone say "line of duty determination"?)
4.6.2 - The base is supposed to bend over backwards to get you the training (shouldn't have to wait more than 30 days). Commanders MAY authorize a 30 day waiver (good luck getting that one).
4.6.7.1 - The official MSF course counts and commanders SHALL accept completion as proof of training. I read that to mean that MSF out in town works just like base course.
4.6.7.3 - Get a sidecar, you don't have to deal with all this training crap!!!
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Player In a Management Position
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where was the all black aircrew for black history month?
.69 seconds on google:
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Is right!How does this happen! How does someone like this actually make General for crying out loud!
Boobies
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This is US Code folks! Some folks need in Berkeley need to be sent to jail!
Cheers! M2
Ouch - nice find there M2.
Looks to me like the Berkeley City council just committed treason...
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Isnt there an old airline joke (when it was fun to work in the airline industry) which says a good FA would say "good landing, Captain" and a great FA would say "good morning, Captain".
Since we're going there...
What are the 3 most dangerous things to a pilot?
1 - A solo student in the pattern.
2 - A doctor in a V-tailed Bonanza.
3 - A stewardess with a chipped tooth.
Sorry...
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Let them go to the concert, get them on stage to congratulate them, then embarrass the living crap out of them by telling the whole truth while they stand there.
Humiliation is a very powerful learning tool!!!!!
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First, try your best to make sure your crap is squared away (it is the military afterall).
If they call you out for something visible, a simple "Thanks for the input sergeant" (essentially "noted") and continue.
If some enlisted guy asks me to show him my socks, my response will be "No thank you sergeant" and I'll go about my business. Why the heck are officers agreeing to show these guys their socks anyways? Are they saying "Colonel Soandso told me to check everyones' socks"? I sure hope even a 2ndLt wouldn't let these guys bully them around without a good reason.
And if they're disrespectful about it - all bets are off, the sergeant and I will be having a chat in private about military customs and courtesies.
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I'd thank USAA for their offer, tell them you're looking at other options and try again with the at-fault guys insurance company. USAA has you by the b@11s whereas the other insurance company has more to lose - (ie. they become a "defendant" in a lawsuit if they don't make you happy). Have a few estimates done on your own (shouldn't cost you much if anything at all) and make sure you let the shop go over your car with a fine tooth comb. If you still aren't happy with the response, it might be time to look for a lawyer. Heck, it's CA - home of thousands of those bloodthirsty guys.
Of course, this all means she'll be without that car for a while - if you can live with that...
One-way Airline Tickets
in Squadron Bar
Posted
That's technically not legal (violates the terms you agreed to when you bought the ticket - aka their Contract of Carriage). Here's just one example for Delta (most airlines have a similar restriction - I tried a couple times): Fare Info & Ticket Rules
At the bottom of that page under prohibited ticket practices:
And under that same section to answer "What can they do to me?":
There are a few reasons why the round trip is cheaper. Basically the airline is "discounting" your ticket because you choose to travel with them both ways rather than take a cheap one-way then a cheap "other-way" with another airline. Also, one-way tickets tend to have less restrictions (more expensive), etc...
Now, what are the chances they'll actually charge you the difference if you don't use the return portion???