5 lost hikers found by sheriff's helicopter in Modjeska Canyon (NBR)

[DownHillPhil]

I only have one thing to say...

If you knew me, then you would know that I am 100% a HTFU kind of guy and I do not care for soft ass people being unprepared and going into the wilderness. Basically, I don't care for soft ass people, period. Anyway, I still don't believe you, or me, or anyone for that matter should have to pay for a rescue if it's needed. And if you really think Cali is in the "red" because of this scenario, GTHFOOH(get the fu@k out of here).

O'DOYLE RULES!!!

:lol: :wave:

 

[KBL]

Geez...pretty harsh critics around here. We were all beginners at one time. I am just glad that we're not reading about these people in the obituary column.

 

[attack]

I'm a pilot and my friend flies helos for SD County. He said the County "can" charge even residents for the aerial retrievals, but as a practice, does not bill for rescues of hikers. However, he did say that if there is an accident or rescue where someone is then sent to the hospital for treatment/surgery, sometimes the County will try to collect from that person because a lot of medical insurance policies pay for most/all of it. Maybe the helo rescue insurance is a rider policy in case your primary medical insurance won't pick up the bill? It sounds like the County is interested in recovering the helicopter bill only when the insurance company is fronting the bill--can anyone second this???

 

[ctimrun]

I fly law enforcement in Orange County, but not with O.C. Sheriff. Any agency "can" charge for services but nobody in Orange County charges individuals at this time, however one particular agency charges other agencies/cities when they request the use of their helo services, but believe me this is no money maker. The time invested to recover the costs from an incident like this is not worth any money which may be recovered.

 

[BAD_S197]

Geez...pretty harsh critics around here. We were all beginners at one time.

...and with the amount of technology available these days it's amazing people still cut beginners as much slack.

They probably all had gps devices slapped on their windshields to find the nearest starbucks or Jamba juice.

When I was a beginner I didn't just go bike riding without thinking ahead, even though I was going with a group of people. I took a little extra stuff with me and they weeded out anything that was duplicated and not necessary...but I had a TON of stuff for my first trip out.

It's amazing how many yuppies goto Colorado near my parents house and get lost because they dont know jack about camping in the wilderness aside from hunting a steak at their local steak house. The helicopters, the teams of riders with their horses, planes out looking for these people....

Gas isn't getting any cheaper and the cost of all that manpower has got to be paid by someone... they might give it freely but someone's paying for it.

Operational cost of a helo for several hours?

 

[Knuckledragger]

I consider it thinning the herds..... Let them find there own way out besides, then I don't have to hear that cursed helicopter over my house.

Cheers,

C.K.