jump2live

Hey thanks a lot for the info. I can't believe the process it takes to get into this. I'm amazed now with the people who have made it that far! You guys must have spent every spare penny you had for many years before getting enough gear and jumps in. So pretty much what you're saying is that when I go into a DZ, that the majority of the people there who are working, probably don't rely on that as their main income to survive off of?

Hey all, I was curious what it's like to be a Camera/Video-Flyer? I'm not even sure if that's what it's called, but the one who takes the pictures and videos for people doing their first tandems. How do you become one (how many jumps/ what licenses are needed)? How much money/time it would cost before you'd be employable or see a return on investment? Would it be a livable income for a single person to get by on or do most have other jobs? I'd assume you probably wouldn't get any benefits such as health care, and dental? If you are one, have been one, or just know the reality of doing this job, any insights would be really appreciated.

would be good advice if I considered my dog simply a piece of property. i have no problem losing my house or car (what i consider property) but he's my dog man! he's more family than property and our "relationship" has been good for me. he has gotten me through some real shitty events in my life so giving him up isn't something i will ever be willing to do. the modified tent really isn't modified or anything special. I found a way to turn a camping cooler into makeshift air-conditioning with a generator a fan and some ice and a little ducktape. it was more for me while i was living out of my tent in arizona a few years ago. Thanks to everyone who recommended DZs. I have a lot to check out now, but keep them coming if you know of one that hasn't been mentioned!

Thanks everyone! Please keep the suggestions coming.... Having options is great!!!!

Thanks! That's what I'm talking about!!

Thanks for the quick responses! You would think it would be easy to find a place that would allow this. However I live in California and have called several DZs that allow free camping, but all say no dogs, period! That's why I was hoping to find someone who has done it, or has seen someone doing this with their dog that could say, "check out this place"! Someone recommended Start Skydive Ohio to me but they are not getting back to me on the yes or no very quickly. They said it "shouldn't" be a problem, but before I drive across the U.S. I kind of wanted to Know for sure! Oh, and thanks for the reply.. I definitely wouldn't leave my dog in a tent that was boiling inside! I would hope that would be obvious to any dog owner! If not they shouldn't be allowed to have a dog!! I have a pretty unique set up with home-built air-conditioning for my tent so hot climate is ok!

Hello all, I was curious if anyone knows of DZ's in the U.S. where they allow free tent camping??? The main kicker is that I have a big dog that will be moving where ever I go. It will have to be ok for me to stake out my dog in/around the tent as I do my AFF-A license jumps... If you know of any DZ where you think this would be allowed, in the U.S., I would really appreciate your input!! Thanks for your time!

Hey thanks for the reply... I wasn't aware that it took that many jumps before someone could get hired on camera! Originally I was about to move to New Zealand and do there Skydiving School, but after reading posts and talking to people on here I decided it would be wiser to stay in the states to get the most out of my money. Their web-site made it sound like it was pretty do-able to get into the industry after finishing the school, but of course it would! Is there much potential for someone to get a different job at a decent DZ to where you could work on getting the skill/jump #s for a camera job?

Hello all, I am planning to make a trip (move) for several months to one of these dropzones in order to do my AFF course and "graduate program", plus as many other jumps as I can to on my budget. I'm hoping to get enough to where I could get a job as a camera flyer so that I could start building up my jump #, while making a little cash on the side.. I was wondering if any of you had any strong opinions about what my best choice would be. I'm guessing that cost of living in southern CA would be considerably more than in Arizona, but am not sure of that. Mainly if you have any advice, live, or have lived near by one of the places, or have done a similar thing, and could let me know about the facility, cost of living, weather,...etc. I would really appreciate hearing what you have to say... The places I'm thinking are either: 1)Elsinore, CA 2)Perris Valley, CA or 3)Eloy, Arizona Keep in mind, I wouldn't mind at all living out of a tent or my car for the time being, whatever is cheapest and would allow me more money to spend on getting jumps... I do have a giant dog so living on the DZ probably isn't an option I would think. Thanks to all for your time-