Thanatos340 1 #1 March 10, 2005 I live in an area where we 5 different DZ`s competing in the same market. As a Jumper I love having all these choices but unfortunately all this has lead to some Rivalries that only seem to be getting worse. More and more lies are being spread in ALL directions about other DZ`s. One DZ will Fire any Staff Member or Ban any regular jumper that visits a particular competing DZ and I have head rumors that another DZ has taken a similar position in the past. You cant wear a T-shirt that mentions other DZ`s at one DZ. DZ`s spread false rumors and other misleading information about other DZ`s. All just stupid childish shit and seems like it is only getting worse. Having visited all 5 DZ`s and spent a little time at each, All 5 have something great to offer. All 5 seem to be concerned with safety. All 5 have great instructors. All 5 have some great people to jump with. I have been guilty in the past of avoiding jumpers from one DZ because I don’t like that DZ`s Marketing Practices. Just plain stupid on my part to judge someone because of something they have no control over. I feel like Rodney King here: Can’t we all just get along? Is it like this other places where there are competing DZ`s? Is all this really necessary? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #2 March 10, 2005 I wouldn't jump at any of them that participate in such childish behavior.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #3 March 10, 2005 Is it like this other places where there are competing DZ`s? Is all this really necessary? Quote $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #4 March 10, 2005 QuoteI wouldn't jump at any of them that participate in such childish behavior. LMAO! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #5 March 10, 2005 edited to remove myself from the discussion... after careful consideration decided that it was a bad idea to say anything... Scott ------------------------------------------------------Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reginald 0 #6 March 10, 2005 Hmm, very disappointing. I love the atmosphere at Perris/Elsinore when I visit there. They are 20 minutes apart and people go back and forth between hem. They both have something great to offer, but are in many ways, VERY different. I’ve never heard people at one talk bad about people at the other. I’m sure it happens but I’ve never heard it. At my DZ, which is the only big time turbine DZ in the metropolitan area, I’ve literally heard instructors on the phone telling people that are asking about how our DZ compares to others in the extended area that they are all fine operations and they will have a great time at any of them. Never, has a bad word about another DZ been said, in my presence anyway. Let’s be honest skydiving is a small community and everyone knows everyone else. It’s just not a good idea to badmouth people you might want to work for or will work with in the future."We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #7 March 10, 2005 There's only one DZ in GA that has those practices that I'm aware of. I know there is financial competativeness (sp?) between the respective DZ's but I think for the most part it isn't as bad as Thanatos is making it out to be. I know jumpers from Skydive Atlanta regularly support at least Monroe and The Farm and that generally goes both ways. We typically all support each others events. As mentioned each one in the area offers their own unique experience....it's up to what the jumper is looking for that generally dictates which DZ they choose (Freeflying, swooping, rw, etc). Anything specific that you're referring to Thanatos? Blues, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #8 March 10, 2005 maybe he should rephrase and say that everyone says bad things about one particular dropzone in ATL and that particular dropzone tends to say bad things about many of the other dropzones... possibly because the people that jump at that dz feel picked on and are practicing "playground politics" of course I could be wrong and I try sooooo hard to stay out of it... Scott ------------------------------------------------- I should really learn to keep my mouth shut... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #9 March 10, 2005 QuoteI wouldn't jump at any of them that participate in such childish behavior. Ya, that'll show them. "Remember that JP guy that quit jumping here last year because of the DZ rivalry crap?" "Who?" Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos340 1 #10 March 10, 2005 QuoteAnything specific that you're referring to Thanatos? Not really, Just tired of People making broad generalizations about 1 DZ or Another. Same old shit. Just kinda tired of it and wondering if it was like that elsewhere. Although it does really bug me that there are some people jumping at another DZ a couple miles away that are not allowed to come play with us (If they ever want to jump at their Home DZ again) and I am really tired of rumors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #11 March 10, 2005 QuoteJust kinda tired of it and wondering if it was like that elsewhere. Yes, but it's the worst here I've seen. Like suggested, just try to ignore it. Jump where you want, have fun where you jump and the rest will all sort itself out Blues, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #12 March 10, 2005 QuoteI wouldn't jump at any of them that participate in such childish behavior. Ironic.Performance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teason 0 #13 March 11, 2005 Your right, rivalries suck. I split from another DZ some years ago, pretty much lost every friend I ever had in skydiving. The things that have back to me have really hurt(although I'll never know if they were really said or not). I've had a great deal of time to reflect on this topic as I have been a target since I started instructing in '94. I know the people who hold the grudges, I considered them friends. I've talked to them, laughed with them, drank with the even cried with them. I've seen them in best moments and thier worst. None of them are bad people. None of them purposely try to hurt or demean others. They were once friends who, IMO, want whats best for comunity. But they're angry, right or wrong, they're angry. Sometimes I feel that if I bounced tomorrow, they'd have a party, but being angry back won't make things better and if they show up at my DZ tomorrow, they'll get a welcome handshake and beer at the end of the night. Tim I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterk 0 #14 March 11, 2005 What's even more funny is when its not a rivalry. Just jealousy. Unidirectional jealousy. The attention is flattering. Thank you...--------------- Peter BASE - The Ultimate Victimless Crime Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstime 0 #15 March 11, 2005 ditto!!!! politics suck and it's every where. But we do and always will be one group when things go bad. If you bump into someone in the off season who you have never met (say wearing a preyor pin) you don't ask him where he jumps prior to the ole' handshake. Have fun with it rather than examine the negativity, we are all one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carbonezone 0 #16 March 11, 2005 Get over it and skydive <> Tami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #17 March 11, 2005 QuoteYou cant wear a T-shirt that mentions other DZ`s at one DZ. I have had t-shirts on from a DZ different than the one I'm at many times.. Nobody has said anything... Glad I have not noticed this kind of crap here FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #18 March 11, 2005 QuoteIronic. In what way? DZ followings will always have rivalrys but a DZO that bans people of fires people because the went to a competing DZ for a few jumps doesn't deserve my business.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #19 March 11, 2005 QuoteYa, that'll show them. "Remember that JP guy that quit jumping here last year because of the DZ rivalry crap?" "Who?" Ahhhh, but my intent isn't to "show them". It's to go somewhere fun.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #20 March 11, 2005 There's some GA DZs with a long and well known, uh, "history" with each other. The DZs in FL are pretty crowded together and they tend to get along pretty well. It's common to see Deland, Sebastian and Clewiston share planes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #21 March 11, 2005 I'll show them dammit.I'll have a boogie....and I'll invite everyone!And....you can wear any T-shirt you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #22 March 11, 2005 I'm going to be wearing a few staff shirts from a DZ to your Boogie Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,483 #23 March 11, 2005 We have two competing DZs on one airport. At one time it was one DZ and we all worked together. One of the AFF/I's decided to open his own DZ and initially; the nonsense began. So, I posted these rules on our DZ: http://www.tulsatandems.com/DZ%20Rules.htm As a result, we are now a complimentary team helping each other, rather than having an adversarial climate. Just last weekend, we had pilot issues. Skydive Airtight offered for us to bring our tandems down there and only charged slots for them. This weekend, I will be helping them with an overload of tandems using our rigs. It doesn't have to be a competitive environment, but it does take some focus from the leadership. In the end, the DZ that is the most encouraging and cooperative with others will either find themselves partnering up for a geater advantage of available resources - or with the most customers for not participating in that kind of nonsense.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beezyshaw 0 #24 March 11, 2005 Hey, I think I'll show up in Dublin with a T shirt that says, "Chris Spence is a rip-off and trying to get rich with RoamingDZ" I love you man Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #25 March 11, 2005 I'm particularly fond of this rule... QuoteLanding Patterns Please agree on a landing pattern before boarding the aircraft. The FAA directs that no one may cross the runway lower than 1,000 feet. Landing on the "X" is cool. Landing safely is even more cool. although, these two are more appropiate to this thread... Quote Environment The climate at Tulsa Tandems shall remain; "Safety First, Fun Second." Rumors and gossip about other drop zones, skydivers, Instructors at other DZs, etc. will not be tolerated – Share the Enthusiasm!! Share the Enthusiasm All skydivers are encouraged to visit other drop zones in the area, out-of-state, attend boogies, events, etc. Learn new skills, meet new skydivers, enhance your knowledge about gear and when you come back, feel welcomed. Share those new-found skills with your fellow skydivers Thanks BIGUN, ScottLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
