SkydiverShawn

Really? Students save money? You are oblivious to two things: Business and the history of unions. In reality unions have been the most destructive thing to happen to the American work ethic (or any work ethic for that matter) and unions have cost the American consumer more year after year. All you have to do is look at the UAW and the American Automakers. The cost of an American car has increased at a rate far above that of inflation and for what? are they any better than their foreign counterparts. I agree that Skydiving is a luxury, but there is also the simple law of supply and demand, and I have met plenty of people that could not afford to rush through AFF. The higher prices would drive away some (no one knows how many) students away and that means less instructors needed. Are you willing to be one of those that goes to work saying "would you like fries with that" because the demand for your job was driven away due to higher AFF courses? I worked as a tattoo artist and it was not unlike being an instructor. And that is part of the lifestyle. If you don't like that, there is always the drive through window at Jack n the Box... Oh..and I do have a job a great one that allows me to skydive. You will never be more alive than you are the instant you let go!

Yay! Just another way to make jumping for new student more expensive What you need is to kick back and relax and enjoy the fact that you are getting paid for jumping and sharing something that I hope you still enjoy. If not, quit and get a job and let someone else do it. You will never be more alive than you are the instant you let go!

If I am not free from malfunction by 2,500, I am chopping and hoping that my reserve is a square, stable and steerable canopy. I look at it this way...if I cut away lower than that I may end up getting hurt or worse due to obstacles. I want time to at least think of a landing location and pattern. Every one has a different opinion and set of altitudes, but hell I have just over a hundred jumps, so what the he!! do I know. You will never be more alive than you are the instant you let go!

Just tell your mom that you are going swimming... You will never be more alive than you are the instant you let go!

If you are coming the the US, why not visit several DZ's. Pick a region and hit up a few different places, meet several people and get more from your experience. You will never be more alive than you are the instant you let go!

Dude, I too had a pretty close call on a jump soon after graduating. I really gave me a clearer picture of separation during freefall and under canopy. You lived, so did the other jumper. Don't let it or the other crap people are saying get to you. You have done the hardest part, admitted it and the mistakes you have made. Now share those mistakes with new jumpers and experienced jumpers. You will never be more alive than you are the instant you let go!

I first jumped at CSC last summer and was completely impressed to say the least. As soon as I arrived I was welcomed by the staff and after completing paperwork and gear checks I was personally taken to mainfest where I was introduced to the manifest staff and given a thorough briefing of the DZ and landing area. As a low numbers jumper and not there with friends I was introduced to Rich Madsen, who was doing low numbers load organizing that day. What a treat! Rich was amazing and an awesome guy to jump with. In all we did six jumps and I did one solo, all in just a few hours! This is a full service DZ with everything that a skydiver could want. Doug Smith and his staff are top notch and they have created a spectacular place to jump and hang out.