tspillers

Most of these are a matter of practice and procedure established by the DZ. Too lazy to quote. 1. Not really, intructors are given standards, but not told they must do this exact dril and technique to teach a given skill. (ex. put on creeper rather than floor and push them around to teach forward movement). 3. This could be argued. If profit sharing was offered it would lean towards employee. I think this points more toward the control of the business. If there weren't any framers contracted by a Home Builder than houses wouldn't be built either. 4. I definitely see a problem here. We have instructors pass students to another instructor for many reasons. (not packed, want to fun jump, you are better matched fall rate, you are better at teaching this item). This one could definitely vary from DZ to DZ. 5. This one could be an issue for tandems. The other instructors pay the packers directly. The way around it would be to pay the TM more, but then charge for gear rent and pack. I may consider making this change. 6. I think this isn't a big problem either. They do good work so you continue to contract them. Just like we use the same lawer over and over. 7. I mentioned this one before. We are open at these times. We also take it a step further at times and tell them when students will be here. 8. This one would hit the DZ's that require people to work only for them. My staff generally work here, but several of them have also worked for other nearby DZ's from time to time. 9. This could be argued at many DZ's on the fact that the DZ doesn't own the airport. You could get silly and say the DZ doesn't own the air. We also allow the instructors to train people during the week at home. It hasn't been done lately, but several instructors have used the meeting room at the FBO. 10. Not really, the instructor gets with the student and then they determine when. We actually take it a step further with coaches. Our head coach determines who jumps with who. Mostly rotation, but fall rates and stronger teaching skills also comes into play. 13. I don't think the plane in this instance would count as transportation since intended departure and arrival are the same place. 14. This is close to 5. If TM's were paid more and then charge gear rental. 15. This could go back to the training at home or the use of the FBO's facilities. It could also be argued that the plane isn't provide. Again, pay the instructor more, but charge them for their slot. 16. This one could get DZ that require a non compete. I have always tried to just make it a place they want to be. 17. This isn't an issue. For an IC you just don't contract them any more. Ever hear of an insrtuctor trying to get unemployment. (From a DZ). 18. Would be difficult for an instructor to quit in the middle of a jump. At least a little harder than an employee picking up their things and walking out. 19. Here again this goes back to allowing staff to work at other DZ's (and hoping they don't desire to often) I am not sure if IC's are covered under TX workman's comp. I will have to check. This was good, I may change a couple of practices. I would also be curious to see if many instructors wanted to be employees. I have always felt the drawbacks outweigh any benfits. I think some DZ's more than others would be in danger of misclassifying thier workforce. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I am considering purchasing a bartack machine. Any suggestion on what machine? What is the official stitch used for lines? I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Well, the only employees I have work manifest. In which case all we have is workman's comp. We haven't found a viable insurance option. For the IC's (the rest of the staff), unfortunately they would be in the same boat I was in several years ago when I got stupid and broke my ankle (it was total fault of my own). The good side is that none of my staff rely on skydiving as their living. They all have (as far as I know) outside insurance. My personal stand has been that once the student pulls (obviously doesn't apply to tandems), then I am on a fun jump and insurance will cover that. I have heard that becoming an issue with some companies as well though. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I would be pissed if our DZO banned hook turns. I have all the ratings, S&TA, a rigger and a RWS tandem examiner. I would go to our DZO and tell him off.... oh, wait.....I am am the DZO I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Yes, but limitations on their deductions are more stringent if they are an employee. I forget the percentage that it worked out to. Over simplified but as an IC that money comes straight off of the income. As an employee there is a multiplier that comes into play. It is almost like the difference of an exemption or a dedcution with limitations. Before I was a DZO, I had a skydiving services business out of my home. That way I could even deduct my mileage. You can't do that as an employee because the mileage would start from you place of employment. There are several issues just like that. If I were back in that boat, I would want to be an IC. Unless I could find a DZ to pay me $80-100k salary of cours I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

That is tricky. My staff know when we open. They also no if someone shows up when we open with no work for hours and someone else shows up later. The early bird gets them worm... uh, work. I obviously can't speak for all DZ's but I have always been careful on this issue. Most instructors don't want taxes taken out of their pay. They can deduct gear and jumps (training, you know) as an IC. Also, if a DZ were to make them employees, it would most likely be peace work. Paid by the jump (or job) with taxes taken out. The DZ would have to match taxes which would mean lower per jump pay to begin with. The alternative would be at a busy DZ paying hourly and working their butts off. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

From a DZO stand point. There are several reasons they fall under IC rather than employee. It is a fine line. From the IRS side. They are an employee if you set their hours or pay on an hourly rate (or salary). Compare it to an electrition contratced to do electrical at a new home or office complex. They must follow the request of their General Contractor or they may be out of work, much like an instructor that teaches turns contrary to the way the Cheif Instructor requires. Also employees are not allowed to work for the competition. I do know some DZO's that feel this way about instructors, but in general instructors, packers, and videographers can go from DZ to DZ. In our are it happens quite often that a nearby DZ will request or provide help on busy weekends. As far as going to court is concerned, the business will be liable to some determined degree for the staffs actions which is one reason most DZ's are some form of a corporation. When we started and I was the only instructor, the corporation was meaningless in this regard. If I take a student and they sue, than can sue me directly as well. The corporation provides me personal protection if another instructed took them but not the Corporation itself. The the 1/2 cent helps. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Well, Mike is checked out now. We will fly it with only 6 though, so come back out and enjoy. Oh, I have have said you fly like a buzzard for some time now I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Modest Skydiver I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I beleive the Turbolet compay was purchase by US Ayers Corp., but then they went bankrupt if I remember correctly. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

It rocks. We are enjoying it all we can. No set date for departure. If we support it, who knows. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

It only has PT6 - 20's on it so we limit it to 14-16 depending on temperature, but it has 22 jumper belts and the weight and CG can handle it. If it ever gets a -27 upgrade it would really rock. It would be fast than a Super Otter. I actually landed with the plane. That thing lands fast. Of course the biggest thing I have flown is a 182 and the other jump planes I have landed with (Otter, Carvan, etc) land at much slower speeds. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

At Aggieland we are jumping a Beech 99. A good description is if mated a King Air and an Otter. The door is bigger than an Otter. It is bigger than a King Air but a little smaller than an Otter. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I wear Converters. I love them. They have interchangeable lenses. The light blue and the read are awesome on cloudy days or in lower light. Normally I have a chrome or blue chrome lenses. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Okay, No more pay for Dave. Oh, wait...he kisses up later so I quess he can get paid. Rich joined in. I guess he wants to get paid when he moves down here too. I have to agree that at a small DZ it can be tough to set higher standards. It is just something that is important to me. I want people to be safe and students to get a great education. The fact that I have all the ratings and could do every job helped. We are once again at that point where we need more instructors, but we are struggling through till the right person comes along or until one of the right people gets their freefall time and trains up for the AFF rating. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

I'll add my 1.5 cents. Like many of you, my limits vary. I consider gust and how variable the direction is. 10-15 with a 90 degree variable can be interesting (Had one this weekend). As far as Fun vs. Working jumps.... I have the skill to handle more winds than what would be fun to deal with. Considering when you get paid to jump, you are expected to perform a job and sometimes must do things you would not do if is was merely for fun. You MUST keep safety and you skill level / limits in mind. This mostly applies to video of a tandem. I don't have to worry about AFF because they would be grounded. Anyone I am coaching, I can generally lead them to deciding they shouldn't jump in a questionable condition. As far as tandems, I will jump in a lot. I will tend to make the limit higher for myself if the winds have been gradually increasing and I have been dealing with them throughout the day (there still is a limit). So in a nutshell, like many skydiving issues I don't think there is a set number you can place. You have to look at the whole picture and determine what and how many factors are pointing in an unsafe direction. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Kris, It might help a little to know that you won the 50% off of a Merlin Suit. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Is you middle initial D? If so, it looks like you were set up on 8-31. If so, let me know and I will PM you your number. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

This one isn't exactly stupid, but entertaining none the less. A first jump AFF student after an exceptable freefall, deployed. We landed and the other instructor was talking him down. He responded to an initial turn to ensure communication and then quit responding around 1500-2000 feet. The other instructor though maybe the student did not understand his accent and gave me the radio. Still no response. The student passed out and landed off the DZ luckily in an open area otherwise covered with trees, houses, and other obstacles and woke up on landing with no more than a couple of bruises. The other instructor and I bought beer for that one. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

We have had a problem with our fax so we are extending the early registration through this Thursday 9-11-03. The fax is working now. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Hey John, The registration helps cover the Party and food that you are wanting to do for Saturday night. Basically, we have set it up where you receive value back on the registration fee. You get a t-shirt (which you need for free beer Friday), you get dinner and beer Saturday, and you get a $5 raffle ticket. One day left. Tomorrow is the deadline for early registration. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

properly speak.....Queen's English.... Isn't that an oxy-moron. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Happy Birthday, Mike, from all of us. Sorry, but it looks like the pool table won't be at the DZ till tomorrow. I tried (and it may) to get it here today. Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

You quit your job and open a DZ..... Todd I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.

Okay, you have me by 8 months. I will be 34 in Aug. I am not totally useless, I can be used as a bad example.