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<<Mike Kijak Up & Away Ballooning- 01/23/03>>
-----Original Message-----
From: mkijak [mailto:mkijak@cds1.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 9:11 AM
To: Marcie Cook
Subject: Re:
Marcie
I am very caring and have mentioned that I am sorry you had a bad experience. As I said earlier, I am over safe at times here where we fly. I would rather try another day than put my passengers at any risk. I live by the axiom of, "Takeoff is optional but landing is mandatory". You can check
my website under Safety and see what my policy is. The only problem I have is your general statements that "..ballooning is not safe", etc. Read my Safety page for thoughts on that. True, Sprage (sp) sounds like someone I wouldn't want to deal with; but please do not put people such as myself who do believe in giving people a safe and enjoyable experience in the safe boat.
Thanks
Mike Kijak
Up & Away Ballooning
1-800-711-2998
***
< Marcie - 01/23/03>>
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marcie Cook
To: "Mike kijak hotairballoonpilot" <mkijak@cds1.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 4:08 AM
Mike-Maybe girls are more caring. Marcie (See below) ...
Your site is amazing! It is so full of information, you obviously put a lot of work into it. I truly hope it has been therapeutic for you. Reading the accident reports enraged me. How could that man be so callous and cold? How much of your medical costs were covered through your insurance? And isn't there any possible way this man should be SHUT down? The pictures are Graphic!! I am so glad you are a voice, hopefully some will be enlightened from the site. All our best. Take care.
Bridgette
***
WOW
Did you sue them? I didnt know that it was pilot error?? WOW
All I can say is WOW...
Thank you for doing that, that was very brave WOW...Your leg!! Oh my gosh...
Sara
***
<<Mike Kijak Up & Away Ballooning- 12/10/02>>
--Original Message-----
From: mkijak [mailto:mkijak@cds1.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 9:21 AM
To: Marcie Cook
Subject: Re: accident
Marcie
Sorry to say you probably didn't do any research. People think that ballooning is an unsafe activity and it's not. It's the operator that makes it safe or not. For people such as myself who is oversafe sometimes, I take a bit of offense at statements such as yours on your website.
Best regards
Mike Kijak
***
Web Site by: DesignCarte
Below are comments e-mailed from viewers of this website. There are more posted in my guestbook: View Marcie's Guestbook
DEFAULT JUDGMENT AWARDED: $1.5 MILLION
See: Judgment
Ref: Cook V. Sprague dba Incredible Journey Balloons, Cause No 2003-cl-00661, in the 288th District Court, Bexar County, Texas.
SITE VISITOR COMMENTS - ARCHIVE DIRECTORY: 2003
<<Mike Kijak Up & Away Ballooning- 12/09/02>>
----- Original Message -----
From: mkijak
To: rod@mlmwatchdog.com
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 8:24 AM
Subject: accident
Just read your article about your wife. Sorry to hear of your accident. But I must say you are way over stating your point. Balloon pilots, not drivers, on the whole are responsible people and carry liability insurance (lots of it). Do you drive a car? How many people are killed and/or injured in Texas (and the nation) every year in automobile accidents? Thousands. Do you write an article about every one of those? I doubt it. Did you do any research before you started writing? Doubt it. Did you know that the average death rate WORLDWIDE in ballooning for the past 20 years, both hot air and gas combined, it 2 1/2 people!!!!!
You call yourself a "Watchdog" guy. Again, I'm sorry for your incident, but don't put articles out like that till you get ALL the facts.
Mike Kijak
Commercial Balloon Pilot in California
***
<< Marcie - 12/09/02>>
----- Original Message -----
From: Marcie Cook
To: Mike kijak hotairballoonpilot
Cc: 1Rod
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 11:20 AM
Subject: RE: accident
So glad to hear from you Mike, I am Marcie Cook, the victim.
Steve C. Sprague dba Incredible Journey Balloons-pilot/owner, has zero insurance of any kind.
I have lost the vision in my right eye and have endured four surgeries to the tune of #$220,000.00. While Steve goes scott free and my insurance company and I take the hit.
He has eleven default judgments against him already so I can't even find an attorney to take my case unless I pay up front as their is nothing to get from Steve. He had his balloon in the air "fee for service" the next day as I lay in intensive care.
He has never bothered to checked on me. He even signed for a Fed X letter that I sent him with full details and photos and did not bother to respond.
My goal is to educate the public as to the dangers of hot air balloon flying. We are building six mirror web sites to aid in web searching and I am writing a book and also working with Senator Kay Hutchinson. People need to be aware of the dangers and instructed to do their due diligence BEFORE putting their life in the hands of a stranger.
I will be sending you web links to educated you on the facts. Your 2 1/2 person count is most incorrect and you will be receiving the proof. I have spent six months doing research and I have not yet began to make my point. My goal date is February 2003.
Regards-Marcie Cook
