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I'm thinking about getting into BASE in the next year or two, at the soonest. Currently I work for a major defense contractor and have government issued security clearance. I'm wondering if any other BASE jumpers are in a similar situation. I'm very worried that an arrest (even for something as trivial as trespassing) could cost me my clearance and/or job. I don't plan on having this job forever, but I would like to keep that door open and it's possible one arrest on my record could close that door forever. I remember reading a story by someone in a similar situation, who got caught by the police, explained his situation rationally, and the cop let him off. Cool story, but I wouldn't count on that happening in my journey.

Two questions I guess.

Assuming you're super careful and make all the right choices in sites and jump times, can you avoid this risk altogether? Already this is looking like a stupid question, obviously no risk is unavoidable.

Maybe what I'm asking is, how common is it for experienced (500-1000 jump) BASErs to have succeeded in evading "the man" throughout every jump in their career?

Probably the thing I'm most curious about: has anyone WITH similar government clearance as me, BEEN caught, arrested, and DID it cost them their job?

It depends on where they are jumping. I know several people with a ton of jumps who've never made an illegal jump. If all your jumps are in Florida (your area, from your profile)? I'd say you're going to get busted sooner or later.

The real way to avoid the problem is just not to make illegal jumps. Go on trips to any of the dozens of legal jump areas around the world.

Thanks Tom. That kinda what I thought. Hard to stay current when you can only practice your sport outside of your home country. Unless you're super wealthy, which I do aspire to be one day...

You might be interested in this old thread:

http://www.blincmagazine.com/...033&mesg_id=6033

Mark

The only law in my state that could be found was a $15 dollar fine for jumping off a bridge for public display

I don't fit the exact profile of the people you asked about, but I have a similar concern. I am currently only considered a temporary resident of the USA (I'm a Canadian technology NAFTA worker) and I too have made the decision to venture into the dark art of BASE. Initially I will be doing all of my jumps at the Perrine (a 10 hour drive from where I am) and once I'm experienced enough, look out Moab (both legal sites). But if I want a BASE number (which would be neat to have) I will have to break the law and getting caught could result in me being deported and possibly having a permanent ban in the USA. But there's always Europe right?

You should also remember that there are often trespassing laws that might apply to just being at the exit point, even if there are no laws specific to jumping.

Thanks, the reply by "squirrel" in that thread sounded too good to be true. I guess the smartest thing for me to do would be to get in touch with the security people at my job and straight up ask them, as he did.

I understand that there are quite a few places where cliffs can be jumped legally in your country (not to mention the legal bridge). Maybe a holiday to Utah is in order?

Will

Squirrel's reply is 100% authentic....I know this because I was with him when that situation went down. It's a long story, but we were not arrested simply "because" we had security clearances.

On the other hand, telling DSS about my prior BASE jumping opened up a HUGE can of worms. I eventually got my TS clearance, but it wasn't without having to explain our sport in great detail and protect the objects and fellow jumpers from being disclosed (despite DSS-Gov't requests).

BASE Jumping is not a crime!

PS. I would suggest you NOT tell your security people about BASE. It's none of their business and it doesn't affect your ability to keep gov't secrets.

No, the story about getting off the hook because of a nice cop, that sounded possible, and I read that story before (from you maybe).

The part that sounded "too good to be true" was this:

I asked [the security officer] specifically about BASE jumping and if I was caught trespassing, reckless endangerment, etc. This isn't an exact quote, but this is the gist of what he said...

"We're looking for evidence of something that a foreign nation could hold against you or bribe you with. If you're a drug addict, frequent prostitutes, an alcoholic, all of these things could compromise national security. We have given security clearances to convicted murderers, after we deemed them not to be a risk. If you are brought up on charges, and you inform your local security officer, the report will be reviewed. But I can tell you that if you're arrested for trespassing after jumping off of a building, you are not going to get your security clearance removed"


Good advice and I'll probably take it. Though I am still curious what answer they'd give me. Thanks for the PM, I'll probably give you a phone call some time since you offered. :)

aww damn in my origional post i went back and added the trespassing thing, but i guess i clicked the wrong thing. Yea 15$ plus trespassing charges.