Dropzone question

[FutureJumper 0]

Hi.

First I want to say that I recently did my first tandem jump and I loved it. I want to continue into the AFF training.

I am very new to this and was wondering what was going on.

The guy who jumped me was furious (and packing) made a big scene at the dropzone and blackmailed his boss and told him that he would not do anymore tandems if somebody else was there jumping.

I was shocked.

This looked totally unprofessional and I didn't know what to do. I was very uncomfortable as it was him I was jumping with next.

Is blackmail normal at the dropzone?

[IanHarrop 42]

For the most part dropzones, like any other institution, are inhabited by reasonable people who deal with issues in a reasonable fashion. Unfortunately not all people are reasonable. My personal guess is that 5% of any group of people are jerks. Doesn't matter if its at a dropzone or a church.

I am not judging who was in the wrong. It could be that the "other" jumper is a danger to himself and others, or it could be tandem master was way out of line.

If you are uncomfortable at that dropzone find another one. There are lots of good places jump.

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[chuckakers 426]

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Hi.

First I want to say that I recently did my first tandem jump and I loved it. I want to continue into the AFF training.

I am very new to this and was wondering what was going on.

The guy who jumped me was furious (and packing) made a big scene at the dropzone and blackmailed his boss and told him that he would not do anymore tandems if somebody else was there jumping.

I was shocked.

This looked totally unprofessional and I didn't know what to do. I was very uncomfortable as it was him I was jumping with next.

Is blackmail normal at the dropzone?

How do mean he "blackmailed" the DZO? If you mean he threatened to refuse to do further tandems if he didn't get his way, that's not blackmail. That's an ultimatum.

If the situation was as you related it, I agree that it was unprofessional to have a an altercation with a staffer in front of a customer. The DZO should have excused himself and his Instructor and dealt with the situation away from everyone, including other staffers.

Keep in mind that many - if not most - DZ's are run by passionate people who love to jump out of planes. That by itself is not an indication that someone is well-mannered.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[davelepka 4]

There's a couple of possibilities as to what was actually going on.

One is that your instructor had some sort of seniority, and had a safety concern of some sort regarding this other jumper. I'm not saying that confronting the safety issue in a public place where students were able to witness the discussion was the right way to go, but it might have been for a good cause.

Another situation that arrises from time to time is that working jumpes get 'territorial' about their employment. Instructors are all paid per jump, so more jumps = more money, and if there are too many instructors around, then they each get fewer jumps and less money. Also, not a thing to discuss in front of the students.

What you should do? Well, for starters, look into the AFF program at that DZ, and any other DZ near your home. Visit the other DZs, and see what their facilities look like, and if you get a good vibe from the place and the people. Use this information to deciede which DZ will be the best place for you to learn.

If the DZ you choose happens to be the one where you did your tandem, speak to the DZO (Drop Zone Owner) about the scene you witnessed, and ask him what the story was, and express your concerns. You'll be looking to spend quite a bit of time and money at the DZ, and if you cannot get a straight answer from the guy, maybe it's not the place for you.

[airtwardo 7]

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The guy who jumped me was furious (and packing) made a big scene at the dropzone and blackmailed his boss and told him that he would not do anymore tandems if somebody else was there jumping.

Another possibility is the 'somebody' jumping, was supposed to be packin' Tandems!






I use to 'charge' the going rate for a Tandem pack, plus 5 bucks if I had to jump AND pack that day. . .cycle 8 to 10 students using the same rig you're packing between lifts on a hot day ~ prolly should have gotten even MORE $ !

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[jonstark 8]

First of all... Welcome.

Know that there are all sorts of jumpers and some of them even have egos. From time to time emotions will rise and tempers flare. For the tandem master to do so in public shows his lack of maturity, tact and professionalism.

You should be 200% stoked to get on the airplane with your tandem master. For him to give you pause is not at all indicative of a thoughtful veteran.

If it is a cultural thing at the DZ in question they will not be doing business for long or will be only a tandem mill before long with no repeat customers.

BTW... Not sure what you meant by "blackmailing" but think you may have meant coerced or pressured his boss into whatever decision was made.

If you are contemplating AFF then you will be spending a substantial amount of time at the DZ you choose. Visit others if you can to get a feel of their vibe and go back to this one too. Trust your judgment when it feels good. Nobody is making you go thru this with anybody that makes you uncomfortable so don't do it with ANY misgivings.

good luck
jon

[captain1976 0]

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That's an ultimatum.

I love ultimatums. Had a very productive employee who was priceless once give me an ultimatum about another employee who was very unproductive.

Guess who got the shaft?

Employers who bend to any ultimatum immediately loose control and respect.

I would have on the spot fired that person in front of everyone, case closed.

IanHarrop mentioned 5% jerks but I feel it less than that. Arguments among staff in front of others simply shows a lack of character and class. It also depicts individuals who cannot control their emotions. Regardless of how important they are to a facility, point them in the right direction and kick their ass out the door.

You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

[chuckakers 426]

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That's an ultimatum.

I love ultimatums. Had a very productive employee who was priceless once give me an ultimatum about another employee who was very unproductive.

Guess who got the shaft?

Employers who bend to any ultimatum immediately loose control and respect.

I would have on the spot fired that person in front of everyone, case closed.

IanHarrop mentioned 5% jerks but I feel it less than that. Arguments among staff in front of others simply shows a lack of character and class. It also depicts individuals who cannot control their emotions. Regardless of how important they are to a facility, point them in the right direction and kick their ass out the door.

That's a lot easier to say than do - especially if you need the staff. Turnover is expensive in more ways than one and most staffers can be taught good business manners.

I'll still vote for taking the guy behind closed doors first. If he's not trainable and continues the innapropriate behavior, then he'd have to go.

Running a business requires more balance than force.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[airtwardo 7]

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I'll still vote for taking the guy behind closed doors first. If he's not trainable and continues the inappropriate behavior, then he'd have to go.

I agree, and considering the 'usual' pool staff gets pulled from, it's quite possible that a person doesn't KNOW not to show customers what's in the 'kitchen'.


That business environment type of etiquette isn't taught in public schools.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~