Do you?

[Beerlight 0]

Greet whuffos in a friendly manner when they show up at your dropzone?

I haven't jumped in a long time, but flew jumpers for 10 years and don't consider myself a whuffo.

So, today I a friend (real whuffo) to the nearest DZ, 150 miles away, just to hang out. We were at that DZ for almost a 30 minutes before anyone EVEN spoke to us. Probably 20 jumpers just looking at us. I spoke first, then a "staff" member (that had looked at us for 10 minutes) finally comes over to say hello. My friend asked me, are they usually this unfriendly? Good question I said.

Back when I flew jumpers, whenever someone (can you say customer) came to the DZ, everyone from staff to fun jumpers would greet the new arrivals and say hello, hi, how's it going, and did you come to JUMP!!!!!!! Those few simple words sometimes made the difference between a whuffo jumping and not jumping. Maybe they were just tettering on the edge, and a friendly person just made the diff.

So, next time you see someone walk up to the hangar, what will you say? Hi, hello, did you come to JUMP??!!!!

Sorry for the long post, but after telling my whuffo friend about the DZ "atmosphere" and how cool everyone is, it didn't come off that way.

Now, aren't you wondering if it was YOUR DZ we visited today???!!!

[CrazyIvan 0]

I greet everyone.

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[bendywendy 0]

I at the very least smile at them or give the prefunctory nod as I'm rushing to pack and get on a load.

[mailin 0]

Similar thing happened to me when I went for my first tandem. Not so much as a look from most people - but in their defense lots of people come and go, why bother?

Myself, when I finally get into this, I'll look forward to greeting people! Thankfully out of the 3 DZs I've been too, 2 of them have been really great at making me feel comfortable.

Jennifer

Arianna Frances

[Thanatos340 1]

I can definitely relate to what you are saying.
I spent the weekend gong to new DZ`s in my area to see what they were like.
The first DZ I went to, I hung out in the packing area for about 3 hours while the DZO was trying to help me get a problem solved involving my Log Book. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet a single person (other than the DZO who I had called before I showed up). I am sure I was just as much to blame because I am somewhat shy in a new environment and of course the Jumpers were busy doing what they were there for, Jumping.
So, I left and went to another DZ. There I ran into a Jumper from my DZ but still never met a single person from that DZ.
I think the bigger and Busier the DZ is; the harder it is to meet people. Especially if you don’t know anyone there. The DZ I call home is relatively small and I couldn’t imagine someone standing around for more than a few minutes without having been introduced to everyone there.

[Unstable 9]

Absolutly!! I try to greet everybody new that walks in the door. Our DZ is a Club, not a business - anybody and everybody is welcome, and it is the club members responsibility to make sure that every person who walks throught that door is a part of our family.

=========Shaun ==========

[Beerlight 0]

Quote

I at the very least smile at them or give the prefunctory nod as I'm rushing to pack and get on a load.

I understand everyone is busy packing, etc. however, what makes skydiving flourish is makng NEW jumpers into regular jumpers. These days with high costs of equipment, fuel, etc. we have to welcome new jumpers into the family. Think about it, the more jumpers there are, more loads get filled, and possibly that would transfer down the road to dare I say it, cheaper jumps?!!

And this definitely isn't the first DZ I've been to that had that cold feeling. Sure, it's not the jumpers fault, but damnit, the staff from the DZO down to manifest should be friendly to the newbies........

[jumpinjackflash 0]

I spent the last month at our dz. Every weekend. A couple that were Fri, Sat and Sun since weather issues, etc....

I found at first I thought people were standoffish, though the more I went, I learned they are incredibly busy and don't have alot of time to do much more than jump. Jump land pack jump land pack jump land pack. Wash Rinse Repeat.

The more I go though the more I can really tell whats up. Also, to a newbie visitin for the first time, it's all pretty emotionally charged, easy to make assumptions.

I'm an very gregarious person as well, I'll talk to anyone, won't shut up, so, "quiet" people freak me out a little. :-)

Went today and it was frickin nuts everyone was runnin everywhere. All JM's had students, manifest was rockin, crazy. lol, good energy though, everyone gettin into it, good stuff.

Cool part? Meetin lots of students workin on A's, lots of vets that are incredibly willin to chat bout jumpin, and lots of whuffos (which is good too, same questions every weekend but funny).

Also I'm getting to know our JM's little by little (wash rinse repeat) and it's cool, we've got some incredibly talented people and I enjoy learning from them.

Be patient, there are many times that everyone is just too damn busy, and some that their just worn out. people are people.


jjf

It's a gas, gas, gas...

[DeNReN 0]

I hear you...any dropzone can be a intimidating enviroment to a newbie...and even to someone with many(not me) jumps..........Skydiving requires a certain attitude...and even though most jumpers are part of a fairly close knit family....its a hard group to break into.....even at my DZ ...a small one..i know most ppl...and have talked to and jumped with most...being a second weekend jumper...im not part of the "group"....newbies can get left out....as can semi regs....(be a personality or be one of the sheep).

I've been shy about talking to new comers at my DZ....not wanting to overstep my boundrys..but hell..I love to talk the talk!!....and Im sure there have been a few that have left because of no attn. being piad to them.............But you make a great point!...from now on ..I WILL talk to the lost looking and find someone who can answer all there questions!

Blus Skies..and can i get a extra 1000ft from you?

[bch7773 0]

I can see it from both ways. The staff should definitely greeting you the moment you come in, since to them, you might be a possible tandem or something. Not to mention, its their job to greet everyone, even whuffos.
The other jumpers probably see 20 new people a day, just coming out to watch their friends do tandems, and they will never see them again... so thats why I'm guessing they didn't greet you.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[WrongWay 0]

When I go to a new DZ I make it a point to introduce myself to people. I dunno, just the way I am. Most people run up to greet me as soon as they realize I'm an experienced jumper (as soon as they see me put on my rig and jumpsuit). For students and whuffos in general, I've seen people run up to students and say hi, and I've also seen whuffos stand there dumbstruck for 1/2 hour. I guess it just really depends on where you are and who is there. DZ's with stuck up people are NOT cool, no matter how good flyers they are or think they are.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[meatmissile 0]

Brilliant post!

The problem is that most people take themselves way too seriously. Either that or they watched too many movies like Cutaway or Dropzone, and feel that as skydivers, they should appear "Gung-Ho"

I hate that kind of pompous horseshit-for-brains types anyway !

--
ZZZzzzz....

[jmpnkramer 0]

I try but then again I do not see every new person on the DZ.

I do answer their curiosity questions without a problem or complaining. I have heard other up jumpers get frustrated with wuffo's. I do not. I try to get them to do a Tandem.

I used to do Tandems and any free time I had was spent greeting customers and talking with them and answering their questions. I was a super P.R. guy. I even convinced a few of them to actually do a skydive.

It definitely showed because when I got hurt I not only recieved well wishes from my fellow jumpers but former students and people who had spoken with me on the drop zone.

It depends on the DZ but I think at Z-Hills we are fairly more friendly.

What must be understood is that there are times when people are jumping hard and stopping to talk is just not on their mind. It would just depend upon the day you went. Maybe it just happened to be a bad day.

Laters,

KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!!!

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[melstarr 0]

hmmmmmm????

--I'M wondering if it was my dz that you visited robert???... as i saw in your profile that you live in mississippi ~ did you visit gold coast skydivers?

if you did ~ please send me an email, pm or post 'k'. i am really curious....granted i would be really shocked if it was my dz that gave you this harsh vibe

well ~ speaking for myself... unless i am busy packing/loading the plane/jumping or eating ~ i am always greeting individuals at our dropzone. my dzo stresses the importance of a friendly attitude to visitors ~ even if we are not staff, he encourages everyone to provide a good vibe for all to experience...

although, i have to be careful who i am friendly to...sometimes they get the wrong impression, and a little "hello" could be a "how you doin?"

but to answer your question ~ yes! i am a very friendly person to visitors at my dz

~ meL* Pink Mafia / Tunnel Mafia Sister

[Beerlight 0]

Mel,

It was definitely NOT Gold Coast......! I didn't wish to say anything negative about any particular DZ, I was hopefully just making a general point about customer service/relations at any DZ. Saying hi goes a long way toward alleviating a newbies initial introduction/stress load upon reaching a very unfamiliar, wild ass environment such as a DZ!

Blue Skies,

Buck

[jtval 0]

I try to say hello to everyone and make them feel at home!
thats how it was done for me and thats how I like to do it for others!

My photos

My Videos

[marcandalysse 0]

It's the job of the people who work at the dz to make the greetings and give the talk. The rest of us, friendly as we may be, see so many people showing up and soon disappearing. When it is a quiet day, and we see someone sitting around for awhile, they usually get noticed and acknowledged.

We have a lot of older folks stopping in for a look around at zhills. Signs post the 'spectator areas' but they are curious to watch the packers and all the activity and walk around everywhere. When I go past them, I like to give a big smile and ask "Have you jumped yet today?", that gets a nervous laugh out of them....

As for the emotional aspect, we were coming to the dz every weekend for awhile before people opened up to us. They wanted to see if we were serious in the sport, and serious about being with them. Makes sense. In a risky sport, you can invest alot of Trust, energy and emotions in your fellow jumpers. Its fun to see all the seasonal jumpers come back, but they aren't the ones that are there for you emotionally/spiritually/mentoring all the time....Friendliness should be immediate, but opening up takes time together to build...

marc

[Harksaw 0]

If someone comes to my home DZ i try to always say hello. If I'm visiting somewhere else, I don't greet everyone new I see as that would be nearly everyone, only response greetings and a possible greeting to groups I see. I think its the duty of the regulars to greet the new people, I hate going to a new DZ and having the awkward time when you try to find someone to jump with or talk to.

__________________________________________________
I started skydiving for the money and the chicks. Oh, wait.

[SDiver218 0]

I just started jumping recently (should finish my A requirements next weekend), so I can relate well to this question. I've been a student at Z-Hills for the last 5 weeks (or is it 6?), and so far everyone has been extremely friendly. The staff and the regular jumpers have been great, and have done a lot to make me feel included. But keep in mind that I've been spending all of my weekends there, and making sure I stay into the night so I can drink with these folks. I'm not just a student who shows up for a couple of jumps and then leaves. For the last month and a half, I've been there at 8 am sharp (after an hour drive to get there) waiting for the first load, and not leaving until after sunset (and a few beers). Hell...when I first started we had some bad weather over the weekend, and I stuck it out for a good 23/24 hours (13 on Sat, 10 or so on Sun) so I could jump...and I only was able to get one in.

My point is, it can be hard to meet people if you don't put in the time, no matter how friendly the DZ is. You can't blame them, since it seems like there are always new people coming and going. But even if you aren't getting the best vibe, just suck it up and put in your time. Eventually they'll come around. You just have to prove that you're willing to sacrifice the time (and money), like they did when they first got addicted to jumping.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin

Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

[jlmiracle 7]

I ask everyone that walks on the dz if they are they to do a skydive (unless they have a beer in their hand or are obviously over the tandem weight limit). I know some are not but, when I can, I try to make everyone feel welcome, unless I don't like them .

When new jumpers show up, I try to introduce them to as many of the other jumpers as possible because I may be too busy to jump with someone or if they do that freeflying thing, I'm not very good at that and they probably don't want to jump with me.

Unfortunately, IMO, with skydiving becoming so commercialized (i.e. coaches instead of mentors), I guess in the future the only place you will be greeted at Wal-Mart.

Judy

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[TheBachelor 5]

I love talking to wuffos. I do it whenever I can.

There are battered women? I've been eating 'em plain all of these years...

[airann 1]

Are you NUTZ....

True Story: year 2000
DZO "Ann, can you wait till they get out of their car, at least."

For new jumpers - if it happens that I am on a load and I look over and dont know someone... I will say "Hey!!! I dont know you!! How did you get on my load and I dont know you?? Ha, ha" Ok, good to meet cha, now you can stay on my aircraft.

I find this makes their experience better. Introduce yourself, show them around, and introduce the new person whuffo or jumper to others. Say- RW person.. I introduce to someone who is a RW person... FFers to FFers.. Non-jumpers to non-jumpers

A guy who I call Reynolds Wrap apparently slipped by me. He was headed to his car... I said, HEY, who are you and where are you going? He explained that he had been at X dropzone and everyone was friendly. But this Y dropzone he was leaving because nobody would talk/jump with him. WHOA NELLY.... I hopped off my tailgate and waltzed him inside and introduced him to 3 top freeflying friends of mine. Blah, blah, You guys havent jumped with Reynolds yet have you??? Damn, you almost missed it too, he was just about to leave!! I told Reynolds that if they didnt treat him right to get back with me ... . He has jumped there ever since. I find that acting crazy puts people at ease..

I did once run out of my normal crazy stuff I use. And that tandem was bawling her eyes out. I made her play patty-cake with me. Where I got that idea, I have no clue. But it worked like a charm. I also remind tandems not to miss the view, like a tour guide... On your Left you will have the City and on your Right you will have ... a rice dryer!! Watch out along the horizon, its real pretty. This I think keeps them from staring at the ground. I personally believe that if that tandem leaves the aircraft with a learning experience attitude and fun attitude they are more likely to jump again.

Whuffos are pretty easy. Entertainment. Its all about the entertainment. ...I will point out some skydivers to watch. ... I will say, Watch that guy in the blue suit, that is called a swoop. They try to go as far as they can before they touch down. They build up speed just before they do this so you have to keep your eyes peeled. Point out a couple of folks to watch and explain a few things. In the case of RW types, I will tell the person, Listen, Hear that? That is the plane slowing down to let the people out. Now, look there and see that. That is called a 4-way. Nice, huh? or Lookit this Dude, he has this team and they win all the time. Hey, check this out.. see those people on those roller things, that is what they are going to do in the air. How about that, kinda silly looking but practice makes perfect .. Pretty cool, huh? See that Dude over there, watch him when he lands he has a really pretty parachute.

In the case of Girlfriends. This one is tricky...
First off they (sometimes) have the impression that all the skydiving women are after their particular boyfriend. Especially those women who jump with their BF. Erg... The only cure I have found is to speak to them a lot. Like after every jump almost and sit with them for a while if you are not on a load. Strike up a conversation, proving you know very little about their boyfriend. Which is ordinarily true. ...What does your BF do again? .. Computers, Huh, ... I didnt know that. All I ever hear him say is 1,2, 3, Go. His name is Bob, right? I find no lying is required here. If forget names frequently & I could care less what someone does for a living. What a girlfriend wants, second to her BF not getting hurt, is to see that the place whereby he spends a great deal of time is about sports and its not a pick up bar. She might trust him, but women skydivers she wont likely know much about. I believe its up to at least me, to eliminate any stereotypes we women may have. We are just as dead ass serious about our skydiving as their men. None of us really have time to find out if someone is single, married, widowed, divorced, employed or on the most wanted list. All I want to know is if they can handle what we go over in the dirt dive. And that is All. Also, if you get the chance show the significant the dirt dive dance. That will help with still more understanding of what skydiving is about. Whoopee, there you go and all in 58 seconds or so!!!

When I see a girl or guy, whuffo or significant other bored as hell just sitting there, I really feel sorry for them. Sometimes I see them reading a BOOK. They might as well be on the moon. To explain in your own words some interesting things about a dropzone will make them feel more at home. Their significant other may have this focus about skydiving. Hearing another take on what is interesting at a dropzone I think, is helpful. He may be a RW person. Explain your discipline and some others. CReW for example, make sure they dont miss those. If you get the chance point out a downplane and explain how that works. And, point out the peas.

If you have a team training at your DZ, take the whuffo or GF over to the debrief and stay with them in the back. Explain what the people are doing and why, quietly. Most teams will not mind as they know you and can see what you are trying to accomplish with a new person. Explain how the film was taken, etc.

I believe this.... it is up to us as skydivers to help along those who dont skydive. You can paint skydiving in a negative light -I nearly died- or you can make it wonderful. Its all in how you go about it. It could be that the person you are talking to is the next World Champion Skydiver.

~AirAnn~