[CPOSharky]

...the toggles on the parachute to try to steer it toward the ground.

Is there something you do not understand about parachutes, April?

[gorush]

Thank God he fiddled with the toggles or they might STILL be up there. :{)

[DainBramage]

...the toggles on the parachute to try to steer it toward the ground.

Im almost positive that the parachute goes towards the ground right off the bat. (snort)

[river rat]

"Instead, he reached above his head for the toggles on the parachute to try to steer it toward the ground"

THIS is what passes for "Journalism" these days...

Where in hell did April think the jumpers would end up if he hadn't grabbed the "toggles"??????

I once witness a Marine "reach the ground" -- even after falling unconscious the instant his chute opened...

The poor guy -- he was a BIG dude - and to sit comfortably on the plane taking us to the jump zone -- he loosened up the harness straps that passed on both side of his crotch and tried to catch some sleep... At the command to "Stand Up' , Hook Up, He forgot to tighten his harness straps before jumping through the hatch on a chute static line... When the chute opened the straps snapped tight on his family jewels with fearsome force, knocking the poor bastard out cold..

When we got to him on the ground, he was still unconscious - but with no broken bones or damage beyond that done to his crotch..... For the rest of his Marine Career, he was know as "Black Balls".......in a play on Black Bart.

Now you know the "Rest of the Story"....