Well its pretty obvious that the responses here can be a bit of a mixed bag.. Some have very coherent well thought through responses that support their position. Others seem much less so.

I appreciate everyone chiming in here. For those who choose not to fly with one, I fully respect your decision. I get that they may be uncomfortable.. But I've made up my mind that I do personally want to start using one. I have to imagine that I start using one right from the beginning, it'll feel weird without one.

I spoke to my instructor yesterday, and he uses one. My soaring club shares an airport with a skydiving company. So he introduced me to a rigger, and even recommended jumping with one. I tend to think he likes using one, but has had few students who had the desire.

I have a beautiful wife at home, and allot of good years left on this earth.. I'd never let a little danger take me away from an exciting sport. But if there is a way to make something safer, I'm all for it.