BenW 0 #1 October 9, 2001 Hi all Florida Jumpers,Well, I've booked my flights and have been looking at hire car costs - for 18 days they want $800!!! AAARRRGGHH!!! That's expensive.I've tried Avis and Hertz by calling their local offices here in the UK but want to try some other companies preferably based in Florida. So, does anyone have any names or numbers of hirecare places that I can call to try and find a cheaper deal?I fly in to Orlando Int. on Dec 26th in the evening, need to drive down to Cape Coral to pick up my rig and then head over to Sebastian. If I can't get any cheaper deals, I'm gonna have to just get a car for the first 2 days and then for a day to get back to the airport at the end of the holiday.ALSO....I'm looking at camping at the DZ to save some pennies (for my new rig). What is the weather like at this time of year? Where is the cheapest place to buy a tent? I've been looking on the wal-mart website, anyone name any others?Can anybody help?Many thanksBen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybaby420 0 #2 October 9, 2001 Hey Ben,I'm not all too familiar with all the rental car companies here, but here's a few I can throw at ya - http://www.orlandocar.com/http://www.national-ctr.com/home.asphttp://www.paylesscarrental.com/cities/orlando/index.htmlhttp://www.carrentalinflorida.com/Also, when I jumped at Sebastian, the people there are way cool junior and in the past have been happy to transport. I, myself, while waiting on a load picked up some peops from the train station on a few occasions. Also, a lot of the JMs travel between Sebastian and Deland, so you might be able to catch a ride with one of them on their way back down. They also have a bus in Sebastian, but I'm not sure of the details about that. Your best bet would be to call them and explain to them what you need and perhaps they can help. Also, try to find someone with an "extra" car who needs a little cash and you can help each other out. That's what I did when I went to San Francisco. I worked out well for both of us. I'll be in Colorado this year at that time, otherwise, I'd offer more help. Hope this info helps a bit.Skybaby~GWEARS.COM Skybaby Series~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #3 October 9, 2001 ben,where the hell were you looking up rental car costs??? maybe cuz it's durring the hoidays but i rented a car while in vegas and it was only $20 a day, (plus 15 for underage surcharge, but you're old so don't have to worry about that) you should beable to find a better rate than that...keep looking............ hell, you could always hitch hike...just make sure your girl wears short shorts......... normal price for a rental car is around 20-30 a day....if ya go with the supper small econimical model...."up my noooossseee"- wingnut, at first euro dz.com boogie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oosikman 0 #4 October 9, 2001 Alamo has good car rental rates here in O-town. There are also out-of-town shuttles at Orlando International, and I'm fairly certain that they to the Sebastian area. You may have to taxi it, or beg for a ride from the shuttle drop-off area to the drop zone.Walmart and Target have inexpensive camping gear, and there's a Walmart near the airport. The best place for real gear in Orlando is Travel Country Outdoors, but it's not really close to the airport. Worth the drive, though, if you rent a car.The weather in Central Florida in December can either be spectacularly beautiful, or downright nasty...including damn cold. You never know! The temperature depends on cold fronts coming down from Canada. If there's a serious front coming thru...it's cold, sometimes freezing. But, if we're between fronts, it's great. Prepare for weather extremes. Hope you have blue skies! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #5 October 9, 2001 Well I agree with all above. or you can just ask me and I can give you a ride from the airport down there. that would not be a big deal. and that is an open invitation to all. as long as I am not working the day you come in. and if I am I can find someone to give ya one. and a ride back is no sweat eather.now as far as a tent and wheather goes. walmart and target are probably your best bet. the weather like they said above is hit or miss. it can get pretty damn cold at night so watch out. but it is usualy dry though.talk to ya laterMarcBecause I fly, I envy no man on earth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenW 0 #6 October 9, 2001 Thanks for the info all!Wingi, see you at Sebastian!I'm probably gonna get a cheap tent from the Wal-Mart to try and save some costs - a couple of sleeping bags too, especially if it's going to be cold!B. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #7 October 9, 2001 well ben, i'm saving my money and hopefully i'll hit up my parents for a little cash over christmas and see ya there..... darndest thing is that i have to pay for my own ticket from ohio to florida, but the airforce will later reimburse me....like 5 months later.....medic,if i make it i'll definatly hit ya up for that ride.....just no sick stories about fat women..please!!! lol....."up my noooossseee"- wingnut, at first euro dz.com boogie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #8 October 9, 2001 Ok...wingy no sick stories about fat chicks anymore. Dont want people to be laughing at you laughing at the screen anymore.And I totaly know about gov't having problems paying up. when I was in the marine corp reserves they didnt pay me for like 5 months. I some how got "lost" ...bastards..MarcBecause I fly, I envy no man on earth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #9 October 9, 2001 I usually go to budget rent-a-car, a national chain that rents Ford Ranger crew-cab pickups with locking bedcovers for $24.95 / day or $119.99/wk. They are great for hauling your gear around in especially if you will be buying camping equipment.Check it out at http://www.budget.com/deals/hotdeals/current.htmlchopchop PD makes canopies all day long, you only have one life, when in doubt, cut away... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #10 October 9, 2001 If the bed cover is high enough - why bother to buy a tent, chuck an air mattres in the bed and use it as a mobile home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HotLoad 0 #11 October 9, 2001 Dude, you put your weeeeed in there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FreeFlyFreaky 0 #12 October 10, 2001 Hey Ben,A note on the weather here in Fla. You're coming at the perfect time. It's warm during the day and cool (sometimes damn cold) at night. None of the summer storms to worry about. About the only thing you may encounter would be strong winds, the coastal areas are obviously more prone to shutdowns.Look us up at Skydive America Palm Beach if you have the time. We're about a two hour drive from Sebastian. We're also inland away from the coastal winds and are probably open more days than any dropzone in USA. (OK, it's a shameless plug, but hey,it's my dropzone)btw, you do realize that Cape Coral is on the complete other side of the state from Sebastian?? No way to get your rig delivered? it would save you a whole day of driving---just a thought.Be safe!Whit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heathmor 0 #13 October 10, 2001 Where ya gonna be in CO. You should stop by skydive the rockies and do a few loads. We got a new plane (temp) cause our other one kinda had a bad day. It's small but really slow this time of year so easy to get a few jumps in!!! Tourist season is over here so first timers and static line jumps are gone.Heath If your not living on the edge; Your taking up too much space!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #14 October 10, 2001 it's not - it is one of those hard flat covers. unlocks and lifts up on hydraulics. If there is no rain, it would work pretty well, though.chopchopPD makes canopies all day long, you only have one life, when in doubt, cut away... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 October 10, 2001 "I've been looking on the wal-mart website"As we say here in America (The South Eastern part anyway)"If Wal-Mart don't have it. I don't need it!""The sky resembles a back lit canopy...with holes punched through it"- IncubusClay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybaby420 0 #16 October 11, 2001 Quoteor you can just ask me and I can give you a ride from the airport down there. that would not be a big deal. and that is an open invitation to all. That's awfully sweet of Marc to offer, eh? Thanks Marc! Quoteit's not - it is one of those hard flat covers. unlocks and lifts up on hydraulics. If there is no rain, it would work pretty well, though Just don't forget your bug spray!!Thanks for the info, Heath! I'll be in and around those parts on the 20th. I'm going there for the holiday (a treat for myself) to learn how to ski and possibly snowboard. I'm a FL baby, so the ccccold will be something new. I'll probably have on everything I own!! I'll keep that in mind, though and try to visit!Shelly~GWEARS.COM Skybaby Series~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenW 0 #17 October 11, 2001 Many thanks for all the replies!I've decided to camp but am getting several sleeping bags.... The hire car has been booked, so lifts aren't going to be needed - many thanks for the offer Marc, I'll get you a couple of beers for that!Well, hopefully a load of us can get together and do some jumps in early late December/early January then - maybe set a new dropzone.com international all-comers record??!! Be a while before that one would be beaten!Hopefully I'll see most of you in December!ThanksB. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RemiAndKaren 0 #18 October 11, 2001 Quoteam getting several sleeping bagsexpecting company? slut.... have fun (with the skydiving that is... lol) !RemiMuff 914 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
