Basejumper.com - archive

Any news?

https://officialbridgeday.com/

https://officialbridgeday.com

So no information then? Didn't see anything relevant to base jumpers on that site. Only new info here seem to be that green machine is now posting in colors other than green.

He only uses the green font when it is actually his words in a statement or question, not a link or a quote.

Copied from Facebook:

No real news here. Doesn't seem they've learned much from last year. Unique opportunity to really put the screws to them this year. Be fun to have 0 Base jumper attendance....

I haven't really been paying attention, so maybe somebody can bring me up to speed. No fingerprinting, no background checks? sounds like an improvement.

There is officially no boycott this year. Everyone better come back and rage.

sounds like an all out party this year

^this thank you mort!

Kudos to Marcus for taking on the mission of trying to continue BD. I use to look forward to this event. As LEO's, NPS and it seems just about every other over bearing organization that feels they need to restrict personal freedom, needs to get involved, I don't anymore. Perhaps, They got a bit scared after last years low attendance changed their position on the ridiculous "security" requirements they initiated. Still requiring ID and a 6 hr window for jumping just isn't enuff to motivate me for a change of heart. Check that I'm old enuff to sign the waiver and that's it. Open the whole weekend up. Absolutely NO NPS presence at all. If the BD commission REALLY wants us back, have them comp the Holiday Inn for the weekend. I find it annoying that the star attractions need to be required to pay to attend. Not sure I'm supporting a boycott, I just past going out of my way for a bunch of clearly ungrateful people that didn't realize a gift when they had it.

Registration is now open:

https://www.eventbrite.com/...-tickets-25875959692

No finger scan or background check required to jump.

So we have an outside organization taking the fees? A couple of questions come up: Why are they doing it this way? Who is doing it this way? What guarantee the fees will be used for this event? Perhaps I'm getting a bit cynical in my old age but, this seems slippery to me. Jason was always above board in his dealings on BD. You knew who you were dealing with and knew your pass would be there. I see way too many ways for this to go sideways. I can hear the excuses already, "we lost your info, We don't have any record of that, You're not in our system......"
This just keeps getting better

I feel like this is a good year to go. I think that showing up in the masses and making it an all out fun fest for everyone will show that if you treat us like people, and make some accommodations for us, we are no different than a regular person, and in many ways way more entertaining and fun. Maybe next year they will pay us to come to keep the kudos coming. :)

What was that about "burned bridges" again!?

The registration money goes to the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. The take in all of the revenue and pay all the expenses for Bridge Day. The single largest BASE expense is the rescue boats. Then there are are the other things that have to be paid for, including investing this year in a diving board, all new barrier fencing, pizza, BBQ, lift for photographer. They have also agreed to set aside some money to pay for future toys (rope swing, big trampoline, etc.) and niceties.

The website used to take registrations is eventbrite.com which is used by many industries to sell tickets to large events. You will get an email confirmation of your registration and I think the concern of them losing your information is not realistic.

So the very same organization that created almost all of the original problems, is going to be now collecting all the fees? Am I the only 1 that sees a problem here? I'm beginning to lose any faith that the BASE community will ever take a stand against them and firmly drive home the point of ENOUGH! An I associated group or individual needs to handle this. Criteria must be met and not a single dime can go towards this till that occurs. People have been saying for years they're gonna change. WAKE UP! The only thing that way seem to hear is no jumpers, no event. It will only take 1 time for this to work. The time is now. No attendance, no event. I guarantee this will change the game. What have got to lose, a 1 day, 6 hr event? Go and it just enables this whole chi radar by them to continue.

After all the shit that went down last year, people still went. There is zero chance of a boycott

Last year we wanted no background checks or fingerprints and we got it.

Let's appreciate that. They met our demands. Seems reasonable and to me that the group of BASE jumpers running this and representing us are gaining ground.

Not saying we're done and yes, more time would be better, but let's take this a step at a time. It won't all change overnight.

how many people are still hung up on this boycott issue?

again, the original boycott idea was initiated due to fingerprinting for background checks. NOTHING else. fingerprinting is gone. mission success.

BASE jumping at bridge day is definitely a highlight for the spectators, but bridge day is NOT about BASE jumping. it will go on with or without us.

let it go. there will never be a boycott. more likely they will just ban BASE jumping completely.

Pete,

If you have any realistic and specific suggestions about how things should be run please make them.

Over 100 jumpers have already signed up this year and additional 20 jumpers have volunteered to be on staff so there will be jumping at Bridge Day this year.

A perfect example of the fear of loss is greater than the actual loss. 1st of all, let them. It's a far greater loss for them than losing an object for us. Point 2. They won't. But the threat of them doing it is enuff to scare the weak. Grow some stones and call them out. Try it. A sincere, cohesive, group decision to make a stand is all it would take. It's all theory till it happens. What have you got to lose?

fear of what? they haven't threatened to do anything afaik. only a few stragglers who want to threaten them with a boycott, for what i have no idea.

if you're passionate about it, join the team that works with the commission.

I have had the same suggestions for going on 9 yrs. if you don't understand what not showing can do, I can't explain it to you. I wude be happy to manage and organize this event. But only if I had the support of the BASE community. My position is easy. You are satisfied with what has happened so far and can live with it or you want a real change and are willing to unite and make it happen. Read any other posts if want to know what they are. I don't believe they are unreasonable. If you feel this is the only way you can make a jump at this site and are willing to put up with the restrictions placed on it, go for it. My opinion is the City of Fayetteville and the state of W VA " tolerate" this. Charging ridiculous fees, outrageous room rates, putting narcs in the hotel to listen in on private conversations for sole purpose of entrapment and then looking for any and every opportunity to charge the star attractions with whatever crime they can conjure up is not my idea of a friendly place. My attitude will change when I see a change. I prefer places I feel welcome or I know the rules going in. If the jumpers don't show, they have no event. Let's see how fast they make a change after that. Prove me wrong. Just 1 year with 0 jumpers and let's see what they do. As long as there are Sheople to support this, they have no reason to change. I'm simply a messenger. Some will get this, others will not.

Agree.


So... how was this achieved?

Will there be stash bag checks?
.
.

Realistic and specific? Have you read any of my posts? My position has never waivered or changed. I've said and suggested the same position since 2008. I feel that BD is a non-event without the BASE jumpers. Let's see how many people want to stand around and watch the rappellers and buy trinkets from the vendors. Don't agree? Let's try it and see. For some reason that I can't figure out, some people think you need to DEAL with the BD commission. Like they have something really important to offer that we have to have. There are plenty of objects to hit around this country and a Beautiful bridge in Paradise where you are welcome ANY day of the year.Who needs this 1? It's got a shitty landing area, the exit is sketchy without Jason's platform, yer under the gun because of a limited window and the local LEO's are more than happy to rape yer wallet any chance they can. I sorely miss the Convention because it was such a great time seeing new and old friends and I really enjoyed that part of BD. Would love to see it happen again. I just can't be part of this without a clear, cohesive plan to institute some REAL changes. None of this mamby pamby shit. Every movement started small and became big when the people started to give a shit and decided "I'm MAD as Hell and I'm not gonna take this anymore!" When is the BASE community gonna finally put this to an end and put the kind of BD event together that we really want?

Details are still being worked out but there will likely be a bag check if we go in through the gates. If we ride the buses out they may just have the bomb dog walk around/ up the aisle of the bus. Once we are in, then there are no more security checks.

Not about the BASE jumpers huh? Put some action behind yer words. Have 1 yr where 0 jumps are made and I will personally pay for the whole event the next year after that if it happens but, with some MAJOR changes. Offer is good till I die. Rules are easy, we politely ask for a 2 day event, Fri and Sat. 8-5. No NPS, State police, National guard or any other unnecessary organization. A small local police presence is acceptable. No fees. No Narcs running around the Hotel or other venues we stay in. If these suggestions are not met AND nobody shows that year. I will put the money in an escrow account to be used the following year IF the those rules are accepted.

Twin falls and bridge day, sources of 90% of the drama in the base world

You are one FUNNY GUY! Your three biggest jokes:

1) Removal of background checks not important? This was a huge deal ever since they cancelled it in 2001. The partial boycott last year ended this discriminatory practice after 14 years. This is a huge win and the BD Commission and the neighborhood should be appreciated for what to them was a major concession -- especially in a time when "terrorism" is again front and center in any security discussion. Your refusal to acknowledge how big a win this is definitely ROTFLMAO funny.

2) "Politely" asking for two days 8 to 5? Why not "politely" ask them to shoot themselves in the head? Your proposals reeeeks of organizational ignorance; if you have ever been to Bridge Day you know it is far FAR bigger than just providing a framework to harass people such as yourself who think you are entitled to royal treatment because your balls are big enough or your brain is small enough that you jump off a perfectly good bridge for fun. To expand the operating hours like that adds an order of magnitude (or two) more difficulty to the enterprise, difficulty that ripples through the entire community and its support structure.

3) Removal of NPS and state police? The landing area is occupied by the NPS, so of course it has jurisdiction and a responsibility therefore to administer it. Whether its occupation is legitimate or not is another question and not one the BD Commission has power to alter. Ditto for the state police. The bridge is state property and therefore falls under state police jurisdiction. As for the National Guard, if it's there too it is not in a law enforcement capacity but as general support for a big event in a small state and even smaller local jurisdictions.

Instead of whining like a little girl (scratch that; I don't even know any little girls who whine like you do), you and all of us should send a nice letter to the BD Commission thanking them for finally doing the right thing vis a vis background checks. That is a great start and it should be rewarded by a full house of jumpers this year.

In the spirit of a broken clock being right twice a day, I do think expanding hours on Bridge DAY (notice that it is not Bridge WEEKEND) is reasonable. That is the next step because it is organizationally easy to do and imposes little extra burden. Start early for (wink wink) "practice jumps" and "procedure checks" ahead of the actual event opening so everyone can knock out a couple fast without the crowds to slow them down, then everyone can relax and have fun entertaining those crowds when they do show up.

Extending jump hours past the close of the event is problematic and making a second day of traffic disruption on the bridge and chaos in the community is of course a non-starter.

BTW, what cheese goes good with white whine?

What we have here is an excellent example of the "5 Monkees" syndrome. I thought the boycott was to improve the event. Not to simply remove what was a Constitutional infringement that should have never been instituted to begin with. Those that are aware, are waking up to an ever increasing infringement on personal rights by an overbearing and increasing police force. Those that are awake are pushing back. If you want to accept this, have at it. Jason decided it was enuff and bowed out. Many others that I know have done the same. If you believe this event will continue without Base jumpers there, then you are still buying the story the Government told us about 911. I'm willing to put my time and money where I believe I can make a positive difference. If there's a better way to make some changes here, I'm all ears. If it's doing things the same as they have been over the last 27 yrs, save your breath. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results

does anyone else not care who goes or does not or if they even have a bridge day besides the people that make money at the event?

i find it mildly entertaining. but for the record, i don't care one bit. 2014 was my last year. ever.

but for first timer's sake, i hope it survives... it's a good time, regardless how much of a hassle may be perceived to get there.

Typical proglodyte; revising history to fit your narrative.

And BTW, I DID offer "a better way to make some changes" but you're all mouth not ears so of course you didn't hear.

I do have one question for you: Does the dampness in your mom's basement affect your computer or just your brain?



p.s. Here's a picture of Baronn dreaming up another Bridge Day Commission conspiracy while taking a break from his "real" job.

That's some funny shit. I resembled that when I was in 5th grade. Though we didn't know about that brow landscaping. Mine was more unibrow. Never had a pair of PJ's like that, though I'm pretty sure I have a shirt not too far off.
The original monkeys are replaced and even though they have no real reason to act the way they do, they continue the programmed behavior because "it's always been that way." Any change, good or bad, represents such a threat, that the monkeys choose to take their aggression to a personal level and ignore the facts.
Yer right. I am deaf to the changes you have suggested. From what i see here, it seems it's the same as it's always been. I believe a real change will only come from a real committment. Don't agree, Don't do it. IMHO the only way to know is to play it out. Prove me wrong. The BD rules changed every year even after signing an agreement with Jason. He continued to tolerate it till it finally broke him. They have an historical track record that clearly shows only 1 direction. Argue all you want but facts are facts. Happy with this? Continue to support it. Don't like it? Do something that can change it. Begging the BD commission for changes hasn't worked in the past, it won't work in the future. IF I could organize the event the way I would like to see it happen would be something like this:
2 day event. Show up on Wed or Thur. Thur nite 1 st course. Fri is training day. A much more relaxed atmosphere for getting going in the right way. I'm sure any of the course folks would be happy to do this.
Sat runs from 8-5. Once everything is set on the bridge it wouldn't be a big deal to increase the hrs it's open. More time, more jumps, less rush.
If you REALLY believe that there has ever been a serious threat for a terrorist attack on the bridge, I'd be interested in selling you 1. It has never existed and it never will. Let's just say for sake of argument that you are right and I'm wrong. The way the event is operated If I were a terrorist (and I am NOT) and I wanted to blow the bridge up on that day, it would be VERY easy to accomplish and the way the event is and has been run, and they be would not be able to stop me. Of course, the deciders have decided that we have that threat and the monkeys are buying it.
So in summarizing, the event has gotten more restrictive every year since inception, the target of these restrictions has been those that actually make the event worth coming to and the monkeys continue think "Hope and Pray" that "working" with the BD commission is going to somehow magically change their attitude. It didn't work with Jason, The bozo's that jumped in last year are now gone and a new group has jumped into the fray. No plan, just more "Hope". Prove me wrong. Show a real change. And simply cow-tailing to their restrictions and "allowing us to jump" is not a change. It's just more of the same ole' same ole'.

lol... way to demolish those straw men. I didn't even mention terrorism or the probabilities that it could happen at the Bridge, though I must say ol' Mohamed sure provided a Nice example of what could happen on a highway bridge crowded with 100K+ people.

The main flaw in your "thinking" is that BASE jumpers are the be-all end-all and only reason for the existence of Bridge Day.

We are not.

Neither does the bridge exist solely as a venue for a big party.

Au contraire mon ami, the party exists solely because of the bridge.

And the bridge is a key component of a major state highway and extending the hours that it is closed is a non-starter. Period. Full stop.

Jason recognized this of course, and advocated for "extended hours" in the form of catwalk jumping so as not to disrupt bridge highway traffic.

Your lack of knowledge about the most fundamental issues and already-explored and advanced options would be amusing if it was not so pathetic.

I suggest that you do a little homework before you spout off again... and I definitely encourage you to do something about those hallucinations.

I will attempt to clarify for you 1 more time. I have never said or indicated that the bridge exists for base jumpers. I did say the EVENT won't be much of an event without them. Just how can you not get that? As far as the catwalk, I'm well aware of that. Please enlighten me to how far that has gotten. As to the major state hwy theory, if it's so critical to the flow of traffic, how can it be closed for any amount of time or any event? How about when the Governor stepped and extended the hrs 1 yr?
I've done my homework, you may want to study up yourself. The question that keeps coming back to me is why are you so opposed to making this event better?

Yo homey,

First off, I TOLD you to do something about those hallucinations.

I am of course not opposed to making it better. In fact I offered some pathways to doing that.

What I do oppose is your bully boy tactics of coercion instead of consensus after the BDC made a major concession and then acting like anyone who disagrees with you is a weak-minded fool with no principles -- or a monkey. That is the brain dead approach to negotiation... and to making friends and influencing people.

I also oppose your goals of two full days without police presence because they are brain dead too.

Ain't gonna happen.

And of course I disagree with your equally brain dead premise that Bridge Day won't be much of an event without the jumpers. News flash: Watching base jumpers is exciting for the first few jumpers, and interesting for a few more, but after that.... meh.

A study was done BTW that shows the average amount of time spent at Bridge Day by visitors is 4.5 hours, about 15 minutes of which is devoted to watching the jumpers you persist in thinking are the main attraction.

The rest of the time they visit booths, eat food, watch various forms of entertainment and check out the object for which the event exists.

So go ahead and fight with those straw men floating around in that empty space between your ears. As for me, I may even go to Bridge Day this year now that the BDC has take that big step and dropped the silly security requirements.

The silly security requirements were in place to build a data base for the NPS. Now the BDC just hands over the info.

Is the study you referenced available anywhere? I would like to take a look at it. If BASE jumping was irrelevant as the study points out then the NPS and BDC would do away with it, as they did the bungee jumping. To much time and money are spent on the jumpers, not cost effective.

 I signed in last year just to note my support for the boycott. I live in WV and enjoyed this event as a spectator and I hated what they tried to do last year. Obviously you all got your point across and I applaud you for that.

As it stands I hope to return this year. Perhaps it's not what some would like for it to be but they have obviously backed off the unjustified actions of last year.

Again, thanks to all of you who took a stand. Those that will are getting fewer and fewer.

And you're safe this year from dick punches...