WintersKnight

Isn't the primary use of a slider to adjust the deployment of the parachute? Also to keep the lines untangled during deployment. I'm new to the sport and I'm starting my AFP next week, doing a second tandem today. So I don't know much. Is there any other reason to have the slider open?

I drove out to the DZ this morning, and made my jump--instead of waiting for the weekend. It was amazing. I can't even explain it. I was the only jumper, so I flew in a very small aircraft, barely enough room for the three of us. I'm already scheduled for my second tandem. I have a feeling it's going to be a wild summer. I don't think I'll do an A license in a week. But I want to try jumping regularly--about once a week. I'm not going to cut corners on safety and training. Now that I'm home and on the ground, I'll be looking up at the sky. I'm usually an anxious person. But I feel so relaxed after this jump, so I think I might give this a try. Totally awesome.

Yes, I'm going to be jumping at Skydive Chicago. I trust in the safety of the sport, as the statistics speak for themselves. I'm jumping to challenge myself, however that ends up looking. At the end of the day, I'll probably be just fine. Sorry for posting to this forum before my first tandem. I'm just excited--is all. The more I videos I watch, the more fascinating it seems. I think I might might really enjoy this sport. Also, thanks for your view on A License in a week. I'm sure the program works great for some students. If I end up deciding to give this sport a chance, I want to get the most out of my training. Something I can explore after my first jump. At the very least, registering for this jump got me back to the gym.

At the end of the month, I'll be making my first tandem jump for my 34th birthday. It was a spontaneous decision. Maybe I'm going through some early midlife crisis. Anyway, I'm an anxious guy and this is way out of my comfort zone--I'm pretty terrified, but that's all part of the package. Do you guys have any suggestions on making your first jump awesome? I should be dropping out of the plane between 5-6 Chicago time. I want to make the most out of this jump; a zen-like, truly in the moment experience. I've already had three weeks to think about my jump, so I've been reading a lot of articles on the sport and watching a lot of tandem and AFP videos. The more I read and watch, the more respect I have for the sport. If I enjoy skydiving, I'm fully prepared to join an AFP program to get my A license. My only goal for my first tandem is to enjoy myself, maintain body position during free fall, pay attention to the altimeter, and to open the parachute myself. If this might be a good outlet for me, I'll go ahead and schedule my second tandem, with the intent of obtaining my A license. The DZ offers a program in which you can obtain your A license within a week. It looks like an intense course. Which comes to my second question: What are the pros and cons of getting your A-license within a week, vs. spreading out the classes over a longer period of time, maybe a couple months? Eight more days until I make that first jump and I'm getting excited. Thanks for the advice.