how did you get started?

[dropzonejunky 0]

This question gose out to all the hard working DZ employees out there. I now im verry new to the sport but i want to make it my life. im wanting to start working at a DZ probably as a packer to start, and plan on having no less then 200 jumps by years end. So in a few more months i could start coaching and later camera flying. the biggest thing that makes me want to persure this career is that it could be done all around the world, and i have many planes on travling in the not so distant future. I dont need mutch too live by just my rig maby some camera gear and a place to crash. im a verry fast learner picking up on new things each weekend. but is it somthing thats possible?

I was just woundering how you guys got started in your work? Was it just jumping every weekend and was asked into coach jumps or flying camera slots? when did you decide to make it full time? or how many of u just work on the weekends.

any and all info would help me out.

if it hurts your still alive!!

[jtval 0]

I can't pinpoint a specific thing that got me here. I just kind of fell into it.(cheesy laugh) HAHAHAHAHAH



If you hang out at the dz enough you'll find a place that you can help.
Packing is a good one...if you're a good packer.

My photos

My Videos

[ZeG 0]

Look at the other threads on this forum relating to this: You should also be aware on the risk. When I asked our DZO if it is hard for instructors he nodded. And if I asked if there is some kind of benefitspacket like health insurance... well he started laughing at me.
So what happens if you catch a gust some day and break lets say an ankle?
I guess that kind of livestyle is alot more interesting then any other work. But if something...ANYthing happens, you are screwed i guess.

[davelepka 4]

Packing, coaching, video, tandem, AFF, and rigging. If you can do all of those, you may be able to survive as a working skydiver.

As far as travel goes, I wouldn't count on picking up work at DZs as you go. Most DZ staff wouldn't be too happy to see work jumps or pack jobs going to a guy who is just 'passing through'.

I you wanted to make a commitment to stay someplace for six or twelve months, you could probably scare up some work somewhere. It would be more like you traveling to the work, as opposed to work being available where you want to travel.

[JSBIRD 1]

In more than 30 years in sport, I've held every job on the DZ there is, from DZO, chief pilot, packer, toilet cleaner...everything except fatality (Didn't miss that one much x 2)

You'll do what you want to in the end, but if you do wind up immersing yourself totally into skydiving it's very likely to take a heavy toll.

You'll know everyone on the DZ if you're working there, and will take it very hard when you lose a friend (It will happen).

Also, DZ politics can be hard to deal with.

And if all you do is skydive, what are you going to do for fun? Skydive?

You'll fare much better if you go to school, get a good paying regular job, and skydive for fun. Then when you leave early on Sunday afternoon to head home, not hurting, not pissed off, you can be thankful you don't have to live there.

I'd rather work in a brothel.

BASE359

"Now I've settled down,
in a quiet little town,
and forgot about everything"

[ryoder 1,590]

  Quote

the biggest thing that makes me want to persure this career...

You are confusing career with addiction.
One improves your financial situation, the other doesn't.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[airtwardo 7]

If it's your passion then go for it, but do learn and get some experience, so you can make a better informed decision.


There are plenty of people that make a living skydiving, and there are many more that decided the sacrifices aren't worth it and work a 'real' job plus part timing at a dz.

One seed I would like to plant for you early on is, many skydivers that succeed as a true 'professional' jumper specialize is a particular area that is a niche not 'commonly' recognized by the casual participant.

Designing gear, organizing events, manufacturer representative, gear sales & service etc...there are all kinds of opportunities dependant on your skills in addition to skydiving.

For example, I actually put myself through college using skydiving as a job.
I worked out a deal with the DZO to get a cut, a commission actually, for every 1st jump student I brought in and taught.(much larger % than 'regular' instructors got)

I put together a program and went to all the colleges in that part of the country and gave talks, showed movies, answered questions and recruited people....DZ made money, I made money...no one else at that time was doing that kind of marketing.

Back in the early 80's...a couple of friends and I that had been doing small demo jumps with a club got to talking about how we could do big demos like the Golden Knights.

We designed an act unlike anything ever before seen and marketed it nationwide at large venue events, it became an almost overwhelming success to the point I was traveling around the country more than I really cared to.

Back in the early days of tandems, a couple of friends and I devised a little scheme in which we marketed a 'Skydiving Experience' to a select upper income target market.

We had a couple of different packages to offer, one was getting limo-ed to a small airport, then a quick flight to a 4 star golf resort hotel that happened to have a small airport nearby. The customer would get a Tandem jump with video & stills, a round of golf and dinner at the resort.
Another package was a Tandem jump, a scuba dive and a run down the ski slopes at Big Bear...all in a day.

My point is, there are a lotta ways to 'work' in the skydiving industry that don't necessarily follow the path you described with packer, instructor, camera...etc.

Get in, get your feet wet, keep an open mind and have fun!

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

[dropzonejunky 0]

another weekend went bye and i talked to some poeple about this question and what im geting is; i should just continue jumping and having fun and once i get know for my skills wether it be ff or canopy work or what ever else i find myself doing. then i should persue that aspect.and i think alot of u are trying to express the same fealing. i have to find out what i would be good at ( if im gona be good at somthing)and people in this sport tend to notice talent (one benefit of a small sport) and only then will an opertunity present its self.

and your right working phisicaly in the sport is not the only way i could be conected as a job there are many other aspects that i could possibly take up.

thanx for all the advice it realy helped.

if it hurts your still alive!!

[towerrat 0]

speelcheck...........it's not just for brekfust anymoor

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!