I just want to chime in, as a student who just finished AFP at Skydive Long Island. I had the opportunity to jump with several different instructors during the program and was very happy with all of them. I would definitely recommend the place to others and look forward to many more jumps there in the future. Of course, I've never been to the Ranch and can only comment on my experience at SDLI, but I think generally people are super nice and approachable (albeit busy when the DZ is busy -- making a living and whatnot). On my level 3 jump I was nervous and not really ready to go up, so my instructor took me off the load I was supposed to be on and spent extra time with me until I was comfortable. I really appreciated that -- especially considering it was on a busy weekend during the summer. I found this to be the general attitude of my instructors throughout the program.
All that said - definitely call before you go to get the scoop on current conditions -- and if you plan to go on the reg, it is a good idea to friend them on FB so you get updates if/when they are going to be closed.
