Kerrida 0 #1 July 9, 2008 Hi everyone! Just thought I would introduce myself instead of lurking for ages. maybe that will help push me along and not forget things this time. Anyways, I got interested in skydiving about six years ago when I was helping run a Skycoaster at the local theme park. For those that don't know what it is, here is a link, http://www.skycoaster.com/home.html. Nowhere near the same thing really, I know, but tis was fun. Anyways, a group of Skydivers came to the attraction one day and we were talking. I made mention of how my favorite part of Skycoaster was the initial freefall that we have until the cables stop you from the vertical fall and glide you into the arching sway. They immediately pounced on me about how I'd enjoy skydiving immensely. Well I did the research, but unfortunately was out of my budget, and it eventually kinda fell to the wayside despite how much I've wanted to try it. Course it was also out of my budget because well, I was determined to forego the tandem and just go with a first jump via AFF. Figured if I'm gonna do it, might as well get the fullest experience I can. Anyways off and on through the years I've had the bug return, but always when I'm broke :p. Now, however, I'm determined to not let the urge pass before I have the money. Plan on visiting the local DZ in a couple weeks to get a chance to watch and meet people.. plus SO will be out of town and I will be bored. Course there is the slight fear aspect holding me back. Not of actually stepping out (yeah I know I say that now cuz I'm on the ground) but more afraid of the costs after the bug embeds itself fully and turn to infection, then addiction :p Kae Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skittles_of_SDC 0 #2 July 9, 2008 Quote Course there is the slight fear aspect holding me back. Not of actually stepping out (yeah I know I say that now cuz I'm on the ground) but more afraid of the costs after the bug embeds itself fully and turn to infection, then addiction :p Don't worry about the leaving the aircraft. You will probably hear this word from your instructor a lot, and that word is... relax. As far as worrying about money... you should. It'll get real expensive real fast. Especially when you have to rent gear while you are waiting for yours to arrive from the manufacturer (if you go the new route). Plus jumps and pack jobs. Lucky for me I have a college fund to fall back on. It's worth every single cent I ever spent on it though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 July 9, 2008 Welcome to the forums! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kerrida 0 #4 July 9, 2008 Utah is just a wee bit too far away considering I am on the East coast . The place I am looking at going is Atlanta Skydive Center. It's pretty much just up the road from where I live. Pull out of my apartment complex, turn right, drive for about 30 miles or so and I'm there. I'm definitely looking forward to getting to go and watch, but I'm gonna have to make sure I don't take money of any sort with me.. save maybe enough cash for gas and food.. otherwise... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woady 0 #5 July 9, 2008 Quote Utah is just a wee bit too far away considering I am on the East coast . The place I am looking at going is Atlanta Skydive Center. It's pretty much just up the road from where I live. Pull out of my apartment complex, turn right, drive for about 30 miles or so and I'm there. Sweet, you live near by me, the Atlanta area I mean. Welcome! With that being said go to Skydive the Farm DZ. I don't work there, but I just finished my AFF there last week and they were really kickass. They are super friendly and you'll get more bang for your buck when money is tight. They focus on safety, of course, but everyone there is there to have fun and be safe. I've jumped at ASC and it seems like they do this as a job that has to be done. When I did my tandem they rushed the jump, handed me a video and pushed me out the door, being the last load of the day. Plus, they make you pay first and don't give refunds. When my family paid too jump at ASC and I then jumped at the Farm I was really disappointed to know how much better of a place it was to jump at. If your thinking about getting into skydiving in the Atlanta area, the Farm is a really awesome, personable place. I won't do you wrong, just a word of advice. Good luck, and if you ever need someone in the area to jump with or talk to hit me up. Good luck and be safe.You know what's similar between Cops and Firefighters? They both wanna be firefighters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kerrida 0 #6 July 9, 2008 Sweet, they aren't too far from each other.. just a few miles, so distance wouldn't be much of an issue really. Just means I travel down GA-6 a little further. I'll probably see about stopping by both of them next weekend (not this upcoming one but the next) and try to get a feel for them, as well as see about ASC's pricing. Thanks for the tip though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woady 0 #7 July 9, 2008 I'll be at STF next friday. Sorry, you'll just miss me. Good luck though.You know what's similar between Cops and Firefighters? They both wanna be firefighters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #8 July 10, 2008 If you want to read more about ASC, do a search for "Skyride" here on the forums. The owners have many unethical practices and are not well-respected amongst skydivers. I also suggest you check out The Farm before you make your decision. Check out any of the threads in the Events forum that concerns GA people, I think you'll find that they are a fun crowd there. I didn't do my training there to vouch for the instructors, but I also haven't heard any complaints about them either and I've been around since they opened. Good luck!She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woady 0 #9 July 10, 2008 *stands behind skymama Yeah, what she said!You know what's similar between Cops and Firefighters? They both wanna be firefighters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kerrida 0 #10 July 10, 2008 Oh I've definitely been doing some reading. Even before Woady mentioned his not so impressive visit there, I had noticed that the website seemed rather cookie cutter and identical to other places. That plus the lack of any pricing listed (on any of the cookie cutter sites I found) had started making me wonder. Then woady's comment, and the fact that their email doesn't work, definitely left me even more skeptical. So I did some readin here on the forums, reading reviews and such, and so far, STF is definitely in the lead. Though admittedly, only one problem with them right now... I keep mentally adding a U to the end ! Thanks again for the advice and warm welcome. Now to work overtime so I can pay my speeding ticket and then get airborne. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
