People's livelyhood at the drop zone

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Ever wonder how so many people at a dropzone can be so dependent on so few? I do now.

For those who many not have heard this yet, the DZO of my home dropzone was killed while performing aerobatic maneuvers in an airplane with another pilot (who also perished) Saturday afternoon. And now I sit here wondering will I ever get to skydive at Mile-Hi again or will I have to start travelling to get my skydiving fix. Now I'm lucky as I was just a paying fun jumper at Mile-Hi. But what about all those people who depend on the dropzone for some or all of their income? What about the people who work in manifest? The pilots, tandem masters, AFF instructors and cameramen? How about the packers, riggers and drivers? Even the lunch lady who would setup her portable kitchen in the parking lot will lose income. A lot of people's lives are going to be negatively effected if the dropzone is forced to shut it's doors.

Now I know that all employees are effected but one such story I heard yesterday really hit home as to how special some of these people are to those of us who just fun jump. We had an impromptu wake in the DZ parking lot last night (and yes as usual I drank too much beer and stayed up way too late. But what else is new, it's all Peter's fault). Anyway, I got to talking to this one fellow who just finished his first day as an employee of Mile-Hi Skydiving. And now this poor soul is facing a very uncertain skydiving future. You see he and his friends did their first tandem about one month ago and he enjoyed his skydiving experience so much that he wants to become one of us. But he can't afford AFF (he's a starving student at the University of Colorado). So he took a packing course and finished something like 20 hours worth of packing training. And as I said, yesterday was his first day on the job. But with the status of the dropzone very much in the air, this dude's short term skydiving future does not look very good. But he tried to assure us that he's had more positive experiences than negative ones and that his dream to become a skydiver is still very much alive. It just may have to wait.

Anyway, I just wanted to mention all of this so that all of you who read this will hopefully appreciate your DZOs and the DZ employees who making our jumping possible. I can only hope that Mile-Hi Skydiving survives this tramatic experience. And I have every reason to believe that the surviving DZ manager and staff have the knowledge and know how to continue to run the excellent operation which existed up until yesterday afternoon. And I only hope that Jeff's estate doesn't take away all those hard working people's jobs and friendships which have been built. We may be a disfunctional family at Mile-Hi Skydiving. But rest assured, we are a family.

Blue Skies to all and especially my recently lost DZO Jeff Sands.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[Raefordite 0]

So sorry to hear about Jeff and Mile-Hi. My thoughts and prayers will be with his family and friends.

Thanks for recognizing DZO's and staff.
Kate Griesser DZO, Raeford Parachute Center

[flyangel2 2]

Well said Steve.

Way before you ever started coming out to Mile Hi, I was the office manager there for years. Talk about a thankless job. But on the up swing, I'll never forget the bonds and friendships that were built. Besides, now that I don't work at a DZ, I find I can jump more.

Jeff was a very smart business man, and I have no doubt that things will fall into place. Frank, Stacy, and staff will do their best to continue Jeff's dreams.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Mary

I'll rest easier when Frank tells us that Mile-Hi is open for business as usual, but I did receive some encouraging news tonight while watching the evening news. Both Fox (who ran a very nice tribute to Jeff) and News4 reported that Mile-Hi will continue to operate in Jeff's memory. So I've got to hope that Frank and Jeffs family had a good talk today.

In the meantime, I also plan on visiting the folks at Denver Skydivers (which I was at today but didn't get to jump because of airplane problems) and Skydive the Rockies more often. But both DZ require long commutes compared to my current 20 minute drive to Mile-Hi.

Blue Skies Jeff ... and how could I forget ... we all love you Holly.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over