Do you trust the dropzone reviews?

[sabregrl 0]

I will be moving to a new state soon and decided to look at some of the dropzone reviews on dropzone.com. While doing this, I started doing a cursory review of a couple of other dz's that've jumped at. It was an interesting activity. I noticed that at one dz, there were a number of staff who posted a review. Isn't that considered biased and advertising since they have a vested interest in getting people to come to their dz? Should they be allowed to do a review? Also, for some of the posts, the reviews were done by people who have never posted or done a review before and don't have any information (or sketchy information) associated with their profile. Are these real people or made up names put together to add yet another fake, positive review to the dz. Makes you once again question everything you read...

[jlmiracle 7]

IMO, the reviews of dz are pretty accurate for each circumstance, BUT when staff member review their dz, you are not going to get an accurate review, it will obviously be biased.

I've questioned this in suggestions and feedback.

Judy

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

[pilotdave 0]

I haven't been to a DZ I haven't liked yet. The important things to know are about their facilities, aircraft, etc. The rest (the people, the "vibe") are just matters of opinion. You'll never know if you're gonna like the "feel" of a DZ until you experience it for yourself.

And since the reviews aren't anonymous, I think you're much more likely to see many more positive reviews than negative ones... it's a small world.

Dave

[beowulf 1]

I have only been to one DZ that I didn't like. They are out of business now. Guess a lot of people felt the same way I did.

[AndyMan 7]

My biggest frustrations with the DZ reviews is not those penned by staff, but those by students. At least "staff" have been around the block a few times and actually know what makes a DZ good. It's when a 5-jump wonder posts "this is the best DZ ANYWHERE", only to later read that their 182 takes 45 minutes to 8 grand, and their "top of the line" student gear are Manta's in Sweethogs.

If you eliminate the posts made by staff, then elminate those by clueless newbies, you're left with precious few actual reviews.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[BikerBabe 0]

Gah, I feel the need to reply to this thread.

I manage the review database (as of about a month ago), meaning I decide what gets let through.

It's hard to tell who is staff and who isn't unless they specifically identify that fact in their review, and a lot of times the reviewer doesn't. I'm an outgoing gal, but I'm not popular enough to know every skydiver on the planet and who is staff at what dropzones, even those of you who are regular posters here.

I can't censor anyone's review just because they are a professional skydiver or a one-jump tandem wonder. The only time I will decline a review is if it doesn't provide specific examples...usually that happens when the review is negative.

I won't post a review that says "this DZ sucks! I'm never going back". I'll decline it with an email to the reviewer asking for more specific examples to back up their opinion.

DISCLAIMER! As I said, I only started doing this a month or so ago, so any reviews posted before that I had no control over. However, I trust that sangiro followed similar guidelines (since he's the one who handed it over to me ). I'm not going to go back and delete things that sangiro already let through because he obviously allowed it for a reason. Besides, I don't want to get a hot fork!

Now all that being said, if someone has a problem with a specific review, they are more than welcome to PM me on here and I will take another look at it.

Thanks, guys.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[stratostar 5]

(quote)
"top of the line" student gear are Manta's in Sweethogs(quote)

What is wrong with a Sweethog?
Sounds to me you are misinformed or just don't know what the hell your talking about!


.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[Fast 0]

Quote

(quote)
"top of the line" student gear are Manta's in Sweethogs(quote)

What is wrong with a Sweethog?
Sounds to me you are misinformed or just don't know what the hell your talking about!


.

YA...

Thats what I learned with and I turned out ok??

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[Scrumpot 1]

Those are just parts of the "entire picture" you can (and should/should be able to) take into account is all. I find many reviews to be valuable, and then again many others as well not to be. Rating those reviews also provides some further feedback too!

I would not necessarily censor a review because it appears to have come from a resident/staff member. Would I take that perspective into account though (and hope there are more reviews than just those available)? Yup, sure would! That's why all that info is there!!

Just another suggestion, search the skydivers database by state where you know you are going to be relocating to, and if you are serious about checking out as many resources as you can, contact some of them too.

All "perspectives" from an internet bb need to be taken either with a grain of salt, regardless -or at least for "what they are".

Good luck in your new move, and...

BLUE SKIES!
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[GravityGirl 0]

Bal Bal a!

What state?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!

[WFFC 1]

The ones penned by a student that were coerced by staff (read: DZO) to reflect negatively on other DZs in the state. Note: DZO had an unwritten agreement that there would be no online smear tactics to other DZs in the state as I maintain a couple of the websites for the state. Will be forwarding to HH to request deletion of the review.

-----
~~~Michael

[peek 21]

I'm glad you brought up the topic.

I went and looked at the listings for a number of drop zones in my region.

A number of them listed "accuracy tuffet". WTF ?!

The only time I have seen a tuffet at any of these places is when the Golden Knights visited for an event and brought theirs.

And reading the reviews of some of these drop zones... Sheesh!

[sarcasm]
Every drop zone is fantastic in every respect isn't it?
[/sarcasm]

[riggerrob 643]

Quote

(quote)
"top of the line" student gear are Manta's in Sweethogs(quote)

What is wrong with a Sweethog?
Sounds to me you are misinformed or just don't know what the hell your talking about!


.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

According to Cliff Schmucker, SSK built their last Sweethog "five or six years ago."

If a skydiving school has been busy, they should wear out a set of Sweethogs every 6 or 7 years.
If they have not worn out their old Sweethogs, then they are not training very many students.
If they are not training very many students, then how do they stay in business?

Besides, more modern containers have better pin protection, etc.

[stratostar 5]

Maybe you need to stop by and visit Steve Stewart
the man who invented and built the sweethog and started SSK, at his dz you will find many old student sweehogs that are in find shape, why? because they are over built and tough as nails (many dz have used them for that reason alone) and will last much longer then 6 or 7 years if they are taken care of.
As for pin protection, on a student or exp. rig the sweethog has fine pin protection and riser covers as well.
Steve Stewart has been in the skydiving biz for over 35 years now and is a master rigger and DPRE.
He has been working the sweethog rig for years and his kids have taken over the dz and still use sweethog rigs (as well as others) they take care of the gear and have stayed in the dz biz just fine.
They also have dropped a hell of a lot of students over the years.
The sweethog is a fine rig and is a very safe student rig! Those rigs would give any rig on the market today a run for their money in durability as well as safety.
If the rigs were not VERY safe then I don't think that the Secret Service, US Army GK's, USPA, PIA, SSK or the Bush family would have let Gorge H Bush jump one on his AFF jump!

Why is it in todays sport that people feel the need to talk shit about rigs, that are good rigs, like the sweethog and the dolphin, just because someone don't have to spend big bucks to get a rig don't make it unsafe or substandard.
If you don't want one of these so call rigs then don't get one, if you chose not jump one then don't,
but don't go around talking a bunch of shit that is not true about equipment.
Like many times before on this site, ( don't pack or jump anything over 20 yrs old) is BULLSHIT!
I would refer those who think that way to the USAF and ARMY studys on longevity of bail out rigs.
But if someone choses not to use gear over 20 yrs
fine! But don't go around trying to get people to think they will die if they jump it, if it's rotten thats one thing, but a well cared for rig/canopy that is NOT
rotten and is airworthy and is over 20 yrs, it is SAFE!
Same would apply to a older sweethog!
FLAME AWAYYYYYYYYYYY.


.

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[juggalo 1]

Rigs are like air craft in many respects. Just because it is older dosen't mean its not airworthy. How many otters out there are over 20 years old?
I've jumped sweethogs primarily in 26 years of jumping and prefer them to many newer rigs. I have owned vectors, racers and mirages also.
I prefer the sweethog to the others because:

First they are built very well, never had one break a main lift web.
Second you can do a canopy transfer with one at low speeds. IF you couldn't I would not be posting today!
And i will say I started jumping at stewarts place in the 70's so I am a little partial, the shop was on the DZ. but the other facts remain.
We still use them but we have several types of student gear in use, that have replaced the sweethogs as they wear out. Yes they do wear but it takes a while.
As far as some other issues I wouldn't recommend using the older student hogs for free flying, they were developed before that era of jumping, but we did do a lot of FREAK flying in them. But for basic training they are a great rig. Also if tools last longer your operating expenses stay low, so if you have a bad year you can stay in business.
Bottom line to the original point of this thread
when traveling check out the place you are thinking about jumping at. What does their air craft look like,
staff, gear, don't just show up sign away your life and get on the first plane. Be smart Be safe stay
and alive.
peace
brew

waving off is to tell people to get out of my landing area

[riggerrob 643]

If the rigs were not VERY safe then I don't think that the Secret Service, US Army GK's, USPA, PIA, SSK or the Bush family would have let Gorge H Bush jump [a Sweethog] on his AFF jump!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Admit it Mr. Stratostar, you are enjoying this exchange.
Ha!
Ha!
Ha!


I can only vouch for the equipment that (retired) President George Bush Senior jumped in 1997.
Precision Aerodynamics donated a Raven 282 Dash M reserve canopy.
SSK (or Airtec) donated a Cypres.
FXC donated an FXC 12000, Revision M.
Flight Concepts donated a Man of War main canopy.
I packed all of those items into a Telesis student harness/container (United States Air Force Academy pattern) donated by Rigging Innovations.

If you like, I will go look up the serial numbers.

When the Man-o-War opened too hard during test jumps, they replaced it with a Manta supplied by Skydive Arizona.
After Mr. Bush's first AFF jump, the rig was displayed at his presidential library.

In 2004 Mr. Bush jumped a tandem rig (probably a Sigma) belonging to the US Army Golden Knights Tandem Section.

[stratostar 5]

Yep I always do,I was referring the custom rig built for GHB by SSk that is on display in the lobby that gives the impression it was the rig used on the jump by him.Maybe it was just wishful thinking by Cliff...
But I'm not picking on you Rob.
You have valid points of view, the smart jumper will look at both sides and make an informed decision, as long as they get the real truth, not hearsay.
I don't think that because a dz has and is using sweethogs and mantas in their gear line it makes it a bad dz with substandard gear.
There are a lot of jumpers today that need to wake up and "go to school" learn how to do a preflight on A/C, take some time to learn how to do rigging, not to be a pilot or rigger, but because then you will know what to look for to have an informed idea as to what might be safe and what is not safe.
Trust yourself NOT the dzo or some posted review.
Learn what to look for, when going to a dz you have never been to mill around and have a look at things, watch the first few loads, how dose the pilot fly the plane, whats the rigs/planes look like ect.

There seems to be an attiude today that because you got rig on you will be ok "I can get out". (if your lucky) But those same people have no clue what to look for on a plane before getting in it.
Same with gear, I had someone(300 to 400 jumps) that wanted to pay me to hook up their 3-rings this summer because they didn't know how to do it, how you going to check your rig before leaving the plane if you don't know your rig?

No I don't trust dz reviews, I make up my own mind.


~

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo

[stratostar 5]

Well you know it's bitch getting old, I talked to a friend today who works at SSK.
He told me I must need to have my eyes checked.
Because there hanging in the lobby is GHB's telesis( not a hog) right between two sweethogs. So the point is I was wrong,
yep thats right, I was wrong! My bad.
Rob I stand corrected. LOL
With that said, I still stand behind my previous point
that a sweethog is a good student rig, even if GHB didn't use one and one wasn't made for him, and I still enjoyed the exchange though and look forward to the next one.
Cheers.


~

you can't pay for kids schoolin' with love of skydiving! ~ Airtwardo