RoysPlayThing 0 #26 June 10, 2004 QuoteHow about being taken on a tandem with someone that is only looking to make some $? hmmm... thats a tough one... cause they may be wanting to just make money, but I don't think that they wouldn't think of the proper safety measures then because they would want to keep making that money. _______________________________________________ My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tandembrent 0 #27 June 10, 2004 that person has no business being responsible for another persons life and well being! ***~~~~Green grass and high clouds forever~~~~ no matter where you go, there you are! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #28 June 10, 2004 I agree that they will be looking for proper safety concerns, but I see a HUGE difference between those TI's that do it just for the $ and those that do it for the love of experiencing and sharing in someones first jump. The attitude they project is very different . I quit since I was becoming more the first jumper then the second jumper. Good question to ask TI's is "Would you still do tandems if you were doing them for free?" Something a lot of TI's forget is that someone is paying almost $200 for the jump and maybe $300+ if they get stills and video too. Its should be the TI's responcibility that the student recieves the best time possible with out compromising safety.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flailchick 0 #29 June 10, 2004 A tandem jump is the most dangerous jump that you can make as an instructor. It is also the safest way for a person to make their first jump. A tandem instructor chooses to accept the responsibility of a more hazardous jumping environment in order to provide that safety net for the first time jumper. Wow. If you're doing it for chicks or just money, you'll probably burn out fairly quickly. I can honestly say, the whole "chicks" thing was never an issue with me. Flirting with a cute hard body during the jump process was a bonus, but never enough to be the reason to do it. I made one board jump many years ago. People always asked why I didnt stick with it. I would tell them that if I was going to strap something to me that could kill me, it might as well be a tandem student because at least we could bond. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiver30960 0 #30 June 11, 2004 ...can't do it just for the money: there are MUCH less nerve-racking ways to make $$$ at the DZ. ...can't do it for the hotties: for every hottie there's a(at least one) heavyweight hairy scary farmer type dude... ...ya gotta do it because you love it. Love working with students, sharing the vibe of skydiving with people who otherwise wouldn't have experienced it, remembering the thrill of your first jump by sharing the first jumps of others. Elvisio "lovin' it" Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vdschoor 0 #31 June 11, 2004 Quote ...ya gotta do it because you love it. Love working with students, sharing the vibe of skydiving with people who otherwise wouldn't have experienced it, remembering the thrill of your first jump by sharing the first jumps of others. That's the one that hits the nail on the head. I'm in love with this sport, and would like to share it with everyone interested. For me another motivator is my cousin, she wants to jump, but only with me because she trusts me. I already told her I'd rather have her jump with a very experienced TM, but she doesn't want to know about it, only with me. The passenger trusts you with their life, and that is to be respected at any time. I will let you know when I get my rating in Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #32 June 11, 2004 Sorry for messing with you a little with this thread Iwan.. You know me.. I HAD to.. Anyway, I know your heart is ALWAYS in the right place and you would never do the silly things I described.. You'll make a great instructor.. I am already very proud to be working next to you at Byron. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #33 June 11, 2004 QuoteGood question to ask TI's is "Would you still do tandems if you were doing them for free?" (I think I figured out why I let my rating lapse after 10 years and 750 tandems..) I'd do AFF for free if I won the lottery, but Tandems? Those fuckers are trying to kill you. They smile, and they giggle nervously, but somewhere out there is a Tandem passenger Al Quada training camp where they teach them to take command and try fly it into something. Only thing between that and the ground is you and your skills... but I guess you already knew that... tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverton 0 #34 June 11, 2004 Oh thats why they asked me to train some al-quada passengers ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit, Especially when you are jumping a sport rig Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John4455 0 #35 June 11, 2004 Mama always said, "doing tandems is like a box of chocolates, you never know what youre gonna get" How do ya like it Johnny? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mfrese 0 #36 June 11, 2004 Well, obviously you guys are all WAY more stupid than I ever imagined... Seriously, have a good time with it, keep remembering that you're taking a total stranger and introducing them to an experience that changed your life, and be careful. As for the rest, one story and one quote: Last year at Monterey, I was preparing to take a very lovely young woman on a tandem. Someone (if I recall, it was our very own Anvil I'd want to do tandems". I pointed over to the briefing area at the 8 guys ranging from 170-230 pounds, from mildly hairy to Sasquatch-like, and all in various stages of hangover recovery. "Those are the 8 guys you have to take first before you get to take her...still think it's worth it?" I recall Anvil getting a big "Eeeewww!" look on his face and walking away... And from the Course Director at a recent TI course in Georgia: "200 pounds in front of you that you just met, 50 pounds on your back you didn't pack, 6 handles that have to be pulled in the exact right sequence, and a pilot chute in tow. What could go wrong?" Doctor I ain't gonna die, Just write me an alibi! ---- Lemmy/Slash Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #37 June 11, 2004 Tandems make the dz go 'round.Thanks to all the tandem masters who help keep our ticket prices down. I wouldn't want your job 90% of the time.... so i'll leave it up to you. But you do have some priceless benefits so... keep on rockin in a free world. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #38 June 11, 2004 Quote"200 pounds in front of you that you just met, 50 pounds on your back you didn't pack, 6 handles that have to be pulled in the exact right sequence, and a pilot chute in tow. What could go wrong?" Fantastic line. I couldn't agree more, that is why i stopped doing them. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #39 June 12, 2004 I did my two volunteers before I do my terminal jump. Farrah and Gretchen. It went well, and it's not the first time either of them has ridden me. Getting out of the Cessna sucks. And It will really suck when I have another guy my size in front. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #40 June 12, 2004 Farrah and Ingrid. Where the hell I came up with Gretchen I have no Idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tandembrent 0 #41 June 12, 2004 get used to it, it's all part of the job! i'm 6'-1" and about 230lbs, i have taken a man 6'-8" 230lbs out of a C182 with another T/M and student on the same load. we were in the back, believe it or not and had to let the 1st pair go and the do a go round while i hooked my student up, there just wasn't enough roon to do it at the same time. it's all good! ***~~~~Green grass and high clouds forever~~~~ no matter where you go, there you are! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #42 June 13, 2004 Try 280, 6'4", out of a cessna, that will make a man out of you. Hook them up with your back to the firewall, lean back, feet out in front of them, open the door, left foot out, right foot out and have fun!blue skies, art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #43 June 14, 2004 I took Iwan van der Schoor out of the King Air today, 200 pounds of him (liar!) and 209 pound of me. Toggle pressure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vdschoor 0 #44 June 14, 2004 QuoteI took Iwan van der Schoor out of the King Air today, 200 pounds of him (liar!) and 209 pound of me. Ok, I confess, I hadn't been to the bathroom yet, so maybe it was 202.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #45 June 14, 2004 We have a young jumper (~18 jumps) at the DZ who is having some shoulder trouble, some difficulty flying a good pattern that will let her land into the wind in the landing area, and some serious performance anxiety due to those two problems. Friday evening I took her on a tandem just so she could get her knees in the breeze with no pressure to perform, with the added benefit of seeing a good pattern from a first-person perspective. She was totally relaxed and we had a complete blast. After landing she was grinning from ear to ear rather than grimacing from pain or disappointment in herself. Saturday a group of four tandem students showed up (two men and their wives). The wife who went last doesn't even ride rollercoasters, and was so nervous she started crying as I finished my standard briefing. She was terrified in the plane, with tears falling again at around 9000 feet during the climb to altitude, but was determined to do this. The video shows her fear in the door, her mouthing "OH MY GOD!" right after exit, and then a monstrous grin all the way to pull altitude. She conquered more fear than any other student I've ever seen and proceeded to have an absolute blast in freefall and under canopy. The fact that I get to play a part in jumps like these makes me feel pretty good when they're over. That's my favorite reason for being a tandem master. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #46 June 14, 2004 QuoteLook up my thoughts on being a TM... I only lasted about 60 tandems before I decided that was enough. I hope all 3 of you approach it with a better attitude that I did. why did you quit? Burn out or bad experience? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #47 June 24, 2004 So.. JP.. out of curiosity.. have you done your FIRST paid instructor jumps yet? tandem or AFF? How'd they go? chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #48 June 24, 2004 Quote Which reasons do you think are good solid reasons to become a tandem master? Cold hard cash. They're paying me to allow them to have the thrill of a skydive with the minimum amount of training and risk. For $30 they're getting nigh on 8000 jumps worth of experience to allow that to happen. That's a great deal when you think about it. As an aside, it's always nice to see new tandem instructors starting up. They are all excited about dealing with new students, and "giving back to the sport", (whatever the hell that means). It's also really nice to see those same instructors on a 110 degree day, about to strap their 15th customer from the SF Bay home for chronically obese halitosis sufferers, while their friends are off doing 4 way. Bottom line, don't get carried away with the newness of it all. The test of a true tandem instructor is whether they can make that fat fuck feel as good about their jump as they did the 100 pound hottie they took on load one, and whether they remain as focused and sharp on that jump as the previous 14, when they are dog tired, sore, and really want to be somewhere else. Don't worry guys, I'm there for you. (If by there for you, you mean watching you do it) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #49 June 24, 2004 Thanks Garreth, You are truly an inspiration to us all.. always ready with a kind word, some gentle instruction or just a little uplifting sentiment for us younger jumpers.. It is definitely an honor to be jumping from the same aircraft as you.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #50 June 24, 2004 QuoteThanks Garreth, You are truly an inspiration to us all.. always ready with a kind word, some gentle instruction or just a little uplifting sentiment for us younger jumpers.. It is definitely an honor to be jumping from the same aircraft as you.. And while you jump my old rig, some people will think you're me, which means you are doubly blessed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
