Jeth

I think maybe some of the differences of opinion are that some people think of it as going for a ride, while others (like you and me) think of it as education by an instructor. I never thought of tipping my TM because I agree that it isn't a "service" type of thing. Also I thought he was getting more of my $180 bucks. (But I did write him a letter to tell him how much I enjoyed it and that I'd be back to continue my training.

Congrats on your great landings!

Ok, I don't know squat, but I wanted to chime in since I was just discussing this with someone yesterday. I have a friend who has 20+ jumps and I thought she could jump with another friend with 30+ jumps. But then she said the instructors told her to only jump with 100+ people. My first thought was -- what??!!!? I have been looking foward to my graduation so that I can do a fun 2-way with my friend. Now I find out that I am supposed to wait till she has 100+ jumps?? I definitely don't want to be jumping solo, and I also don't care if I jump perfectly every time. I have heard many people say that the jumps that they totally hosed up were some of their funnest ones! I just want to do a 2-way with my friend so we can have some FUN up there! If we can get stable, and we can track away at break-off time, how are we so unsafe?? I guess I feel like just by having someone with 100+ jumps with me isn't going to make the dive that much safer. And after getting thru AFP, I just want to jump with the people who still remember what it's like. (And have fun with the friends I made along the way) JMHO... "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Pictures, pictures, pictures!!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeease!!!!!!

Ok, I have to agree here! I may spend many hours a day in front of a pc, and maybe I can't live w/o my Palm, but that doesn't make me a geek!! That just makes me waaaaaaaay more efficient than you losers who are still using a paper planner!!

Yup, same here. Thats the only reason I do this job -- for those WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO moments when the damn program finally works!!!!!

I'm one, too!! I'm a white, female computer geek (software developer). But I haven't met any others at my dz yet... "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Yes, definitely, just do it!! Your age doesn't matter! I was exactly the same way as you -- I did a tandem for my birthday, and afterwards I couldn't stop thinking about jumping again. (I quickly found my way to dz.com, too. ) I, too, thought maybe I could just do a tandem once a year. But who was I kidding!! My big hurdle was not my age, but that I didn't have the time or money to commit to getting licensed. But I have now figured out that I will make the time, and find the money, and not have to give up everything else in my life to do it. After my 1st tandem I went back a month later and started AFP. At my DZ their program incorporates 2 tandems in the progression so I did 1 more tandem before my 1st solo jump. I highly recommend this type of training. The tandems really help you get comfortable in freefall, and you learn about flying the canopy too. Then you are not quite so overwhelmed when you have to do it by yourself! Definitely go to the dz and just hang out and talk to people. Skydivers are very friendly people. Rookies are welcomed into this sport like nothing I've ever seen. I can't believe I almost decided not to do this. Now I am just looking forward to the day when I graduate and can jump with all my new friends.

Where are the pictures?????!!!!???? I'm dying to see this!!!

My first jump was a tandem on my 30th birthday just this past June. I started AFP a month later. I couldn't imagine doing it in my 20's, not having the time or money for it while in college. But now I just bought an expensive condo, so I still don't have the money! Oh well, now it's more a matter of priorities than lack of money coming in. I just have to keep convincing my husband that's its a good thing to spend our money on! "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Hey there! Ya, I just couldn't wait. I was just thinking the other day how fast the summer has gone by since my first jump on June 6th. And actually, I wish I was jumping even more! But I can't break the bank paying for this and I've got other things going on, so I'm just jumping whenever I can. Definitely go back and learn to fly solo, it's such an awesome feeling! Way better than tandem! It's tough, it takes a lot of inner courage and trust, but its totally worth it!! Good luck! Let me know when you make it back to jump again!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Dude, of course you were nervous! I know, its seems like you shouldn't be if your tandems went really well, but you still are. I was the same way! It's a whole different ballgame up there when you're not strapped to someone and you realize that you will be saving your own ass today. I was suprised, too, at how nervous I was. For me, I was able to get through it and jump (just barely!). But there have been many others who rode the plane down. I agree it might help to not have much in your stomach. I usually don't each much beforehand cuz I'm nervous, and then right after I jump I'm starving!

Hello. Just thought I'd chime in here. I am in the same training as Billy d, AFP at Skydive Chicago. It is a different program than AFF. We do 2 tandems, and then 18 coached jumps. Then we graduate. I am only on level 3, so Billy is ahead of me. On my next one they release me, woo-hoo!!

Dude, we're with ya! Isn't it strange how powerful it is?? I had absolutely no idea that it was going to suck me in so far, so fast.

They're not lame, they are expressions of U!

I quit cold turkey 6 years ago. I just felt like such a loser when I couldn't climb the stairs without being out of breath. (And I was only 23!) Plus I had a bit of pressure from my co-workers at the health center. They would leave disgusting pictures of black lungs in my office. I only had 1 relapse when I went on a cruise 2 months after quitting. I couldn't be in the casino w/o a cig. But on the last day we docked in port, I threw them out and never looked back. I agree with everyone else -- just don't put yourself in a situation that will tempt you. No bars, clubs, casino's, or anywhere where you used to smoke a lot. (For me it was inbetween classes in college. I just didn't go outside during that time anymore.) It will get easier to resist and then you can go back. Stick with it! You'll feel so much better with healthy lungs! Good luck!

Me, too! Citrus Energy Boost flavor. No calories, and stilll yummy, woo-hoo!!

Welcome!

Ya, I was thinking that would be good to have tandems going out after me. Then I'd look so calm and cool compared the them.

{caution, long post ahead...} Wow, what a day yesterday! I went to the DZ with the intention of doing my level 2 and level 3 jumps. I had been concerned because Summerfest was going on. Well, concerned quickly turned to downright freaked! After I got there I went out to watch and saw what seemed like 50 canopies up in the air, all landing so close to each other. I was so nervous I couldn't even eat a bite (and I'd been starving an hour beforehand). What made it worse was that I was the only student there. I kept checking for other students, but the room was always empty. I bumped into my ground instructor and she tried to ease my nerves. She explained how I'd be pulling a lot higher and therefore landing later than the big bunch so they wouldn't be near me for me to crash into. Then she introduced me to some of her former students. They were all so nice. Explaining how they'd been in my shoes, too, and that it was normal to be afraid, etc, etc. Well, to be honest, that didn't make me feel any better. I knew what they said was true, but talking about it isn't the same as when you're going thru it right at that moment. I had been there 2 hours, and I was really thinking I'd never make it up into the sky. But then, thank god, the new ground school class got out and were preparing for their 1st jump. They were so nervous, and started asking me all about what the 1st jump is like. Those students saved me! I started talking to them and telling them how they knew what to do, etc. My nerves just dissapeared, I was totally revved up and wanted to jump!

Sorry, haven't seen any lately on any balconies... If my husband finds any with that thing I'll let you know. "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site

Wow! I love my hubby! He just called me and told me he was gonna buy one of those binocular-camera's so he can take pictures of me flying! I couldn't believe it! So I guess he truely is okay with it and happy for me! I have been wondering about that. Man, this is so great!

Can't put them in order.... The Bourne Identity (Awesome action and what a hottie!) Blow (This movie just ROCKS!) G.I. Jane (You go girl!) Spy Game (Another hottie & awesome story) Notting Hill (so sweet & funny) "At 13,000 feet nothing else matters." PFRX!!!!! Team Funnel #174, Sunshine kisspass #109 My Jump Site