So I carpet bombed the BPA, should I go and troll the AGM?

[fatpies]

The BPA is the British Parachute association.

Or more commonly known overseas as Ban Parachuting Altogether for very good reason because it is the most beurocratic pen pushing organisation on the planet. Think design by committee then think of a 1950s time warp. Hell 9 out of 16 members of the council don't actually skydive. EVERY skydiving body on the planet bar Germany hates the BPA (because Germany is even WORSE).

I am not in their good books I am the pariah and their Gaddaffi of the BPA.

I absolutely carpet bombed their reputation for a very legitimate reason. Two of their dropzones were stunningly dangerous. They were covering up accidents. Guy broke his back and it was hushed up. Many people broke legs but it was hushed up. Their planes were held together with gaffa tape and cable ties (I'm not kidding) some of the canopies (parachutes) had massive holes in them. I blew the whistle because people WERE getting seriously hurt and one guy ended up in a wheel chair. Got hushed up when was the last time you read about a skydiver being hurt in the papers?

In return they issued me a TOTAL BPA ban (whoo!) from ALL UK dropzones for life for blowing said whistle. Which does not bother me as my home dropzone is in France but it caused a HUGE rebellion in the BPA as a lot of people thought what I did was right i.e. whistleblowing dangerous practices.

They happen to have the BPA AGM on Jan 28th.

Should I go and troll their AGM? I mean its only 20 miles down the road.

There is a high risk if me being punched out.

HOWEVER I will get to see UK DZOs and CCIs (dropzone operators and club cheif instructors) squirm as they have no power over me anymore. Since previously they would flex their muscles and threaten to ban me constantly making ME squirm. At which I can laugh at them because I am no longer in their little fifedoms.

So should I go? It will merely cost me petrol to get there.
____________________
"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

[Rogerborg]

Why are you even asking? The question is how many BCFers can you get to go with you.

Also, have you considered just turning up at one of their zones and saying "Budge up a bit, I'm going up today."? What exactly are they going to do to stop you?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stinkwheel]

Take a member of the press with you. Even the local paper. Call them up and suggest there is likely to be a disturbance.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[621andy]

Agree about the Press...
But if you've been kicked out of the BPA, then how can you get in to the AGM? Technically an AGM is for members only.

Sounds like they need a kick up the arse though.

I have similar issues with the ballooning heirarchy. Not the safety ones, but the fact it's run by the old boy network, and they're all coming up for retirement or well past it.

The trouble with any organisation is that it needs people to give up time to actually run it. The BBAC is almost entirely run by volunteers, and the BGA have a more organised and professional system, but still relies on a voluntary element to keep it all running.

If no one challenges the people on the commitee by standing for election, then things will continue as they are...
____________________
'93 Africa Twin RD07, C-90,MTX-125,H-100,XL-125, a 125UAG(CG copy!)

[DrDonnyBrago]

When you say you blew the whistle, how exactly did you publicise your comments?

Oh, and of course you should go, film them avoiding your questions .

[iooi]

[G]

Hmmm, you're just down the road from me.

Want a photographer to record the fun?

Unfortunately I only got a day-membership when I did me AFF level 1 I presume.

[J0Al1]

I have seen DZ's push the boundaries on the weather MASSIVELY..

I saw a tandem caught in a gust not too low from the ground and it started to go well beyond a stall and was almost over the hangars/carpark/fences.....

It recovered, but my heart stopped watching them.

CCI knew it was gusting at and beyond limits before the plane took off (I watched umm and arr it).. No way I would have gone on that lift even as a fairly experienced jumper..

Staff only earn if they jump (or ground train).. so yup... some places do take risks.

[J0Al1]

[Nick__C]

Attach a camera to your head/chest and record the festivities ?
____________________
'02 GS 500.

[TheDonUK]

Bomb the mosque!
____________________
[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]