has this happened to anyone else?

[kapers 0]

Ok well to start things off, i just recently started packing tandems for my home dz about two weeks ago, since we were really needing some extra packers.
and everything has been fine until just recently...

..well i guess another dz about an hour away was shut down by the FAA not too long ago.
so now we are getting packers out the ass hogging all the pack jobs. ok so you might be thinking big deal. but heres the part that really ticks me off...

our dz's tandems are all vectors, and these guys coming out hogging the pack jobs act like theyve never seen a tandem rig before. and here i am, a high school kid whos only been packing for a couple weeks, showing these guys how to cock a drogue so they can butt in and snatch up all the pack jobs

soo idk if i should just step back and wait, or just quit altogether? if anyone else was in my shoes what would you do?

[jimmytavino 16]

if you stepped up for your dzo when help was needed,,, AND if you are doing a safe and proper job while packing, then the DZO should now step Up for YOU, and any other longer term packers,,, and let the interlopers know that
1. the current need for tandem packers was met 2 weeks ago( when you started helping out.)

2. there is "a line " for packers and they can get at the end of it, and can step in whenever YOU have had more work than you can handle.

I'd suggest that you not be knocking your self out, teaching others to pack, so that they could take work away from you...

How much volume is there??? is there enough work for Many?? or not?. Are you at a turbine Dz or a cessna dz?
if there are only so many pack jobs a day,,,,, then it seems to me, like YOU have seniority regardless of your active skydiving experience and even though you " are a high school kid".

Being ambitious is a good thing and you should be rewarded for that, not made to lose work, simply "cause others have shown up" at YOUR dz...

just my $ .02
jmy

[shropshire 0]

You only really have control over yourself, so be positive (negitivity pisses people off and drives you down). Do a really good job and make sure the DZO/Rigger know.

Don't worry about that which you can not control.

Be the 'To Go To Guy'.

Good luck

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[NewGuy2005 53]

Quote

You only really have control over yourself, so be positive (negitivity pisses people off and drives you down). Do a really good job and make sure the DZO/Rigger know.

Don't worry about that which you can not control.

Be the 'To Go To Guy'.

Good luck

He's dead on right. It may take a while, but it will always pay off.

[likestojump 3]

are those "pack job hogs" a lot more experienced in packing tandems, just a different system ?

Could it be that those new-to-the-DZ packers just need a few cycles to learn how to close a new to them system ? (I am guessing if they are so confused they must come from a Racer DZ).

Is it possible that your DZ tandem turn volume has went up recently and you guys aren't able to handle it with the current staff of packers ? - i.e. could you be from a 182 DZ that just got a turbine for the weekends ?

And for the safety nazi part - are you a rigger ?

Just some guesses.

[kapers 0]

Quote

You only really have control over yourself, so be positive (negitivity pisses people off and drives you down). Do a really good job and make sure the DZO/Rigger know.

Don't worry about that which you can not control.

Be the 'To Go To Guy'.

Good luck

for the most part thats exactly my character. im pretty laid back and i get along with absolutely everyone.

Quote

are those "pack job hogs" a lot more experienced in packing tandems, just a different system ?

Could it be that those new-to-the-DZ packers just need a few cycles to learn how to close a new to them system ? (I am guessing if they are so confused they must come from a Racer DZ).

Is it possible that your DZ tandem turn volume has went up recently and you guys aren't able to handle it with the current staff of packers ? - i.e. could you be from a 182 DZ that just got a turbine for the weekends ?

And for the safety nazi part - are you a rigger ?

Just some guesses.

yep pretty much.
i dont know, its just sort of a let down because i dont have an actual "job" at a restaurant, or store. so this is really all i have going for me at the moment. and id like to obtain as much practice as i can possibly get.

although id love to eventually become a rigger, i am not. i only help pack.

[likestojump 3]

Here's the thing. DZ is a for profit business. No matter how good you are, after having packed for a few weeks, you are not good enough for others to be told to pound salt by the DZO. If you come from a 182 operation the DZO probably has a lot of shit to handle as he is not used to the sudden upscale.

if you are on good terms with the DZO talk to them and see if you can get some sort of seniority. Or just get better and get the fun jumpers for fast and easy sport repacks.

[kapers 0]

yeaaa and thats totally understandable. because ill admit im the slowest packer there. though i see improvement each time, im still slow.

though all the the fun jumpers pack their own, i have done some student rigs for the dz. but i have to jump on them the second they come off the students back to claim it. much to the point where i almost feel like a dick. but hey, i really wanna pack!
and the more i pack the more i get towards jump credit!!

[DSE 5]

At some dropzones:
"Seniority" doesn't mean squat
"Talent" doesn't mean squat
"Being there on time" doesn't mean squat
"Being a professional/businessminded person" doesn't mean squat
"Consistency" doesn't mean squat
"Investment of personal time, education, motivation" doesn't mean squat.
"Loyalty" of the employee doesn't mean squat
"Being ambitious" (particularly when the majority isn't motivated) doesn't mean squat, and may actually work _against_ you.

In other words, you could be the perfect guy but it may not matter. It's called "As the Prop Turns"



For the OP, Get in their face to remind them you're there, were there, and will be there. Show that you've got fewer cutaways or packing issues than others. Work hard, ask the TI's how they liked their openings (they may tip you occasionally)

At some DZ's, it's perhaps about how partisan Manifest may be, the DZM, DZO, or other adminstrative persons may be.
Understand that not every DZ operates the way that the business-oriented DZ's operate. Some DZ's are fun-jump places that are happy clubs and tandems are a by-product. Some places are straight-on tandem mills that don't care about fun jumpers. Some are a mix. Some are run like businesses, others are run like a bar even tho the beer light is off.
Sucks, but that's life. Try to sit with the DZO and plead your case?

[billvon 3,070]

>because ill admit im the slowest packer there. though i see
>improvement each time, im still slow.

That might be part of it. Speed is a big deal to most schools. As you get faster, you'll be more in demand.

[apt3studiodiver 0]

dude hang in there.. you gave me some of the best openings i've had yet, AND advice on my packing technique for that matter. you can pack my rig any day and actually this sunday i was looking around for you just cuz i know you can get the job done and we were pressed for a sunset load that i know if i was to pack my own rig would have made my group not make the load... With your skills as a packer, cant wait to jump with ya bro. The 'new' packers your talking bout may be crowding your territory, but those nice openings are what will make us all keep coming back to you man.

Keep up the good work K!

www.apt3studios.com
www.musicpromotiononline.com
www.internetcafegaming.com
D.S. # 4321

[likestojump 3]

Just for the record it's not "your" or "his" territory until the DZO says so. Self-made concessions get you kicked off the DZ, unless you are willing to give the DZO a hefty cut.

[JohnMitchell 16]

Quote

i have done some student rigs for the dz. but i have to jump on them the second they come off the students back to claim it. much to the point where i almost feel like a dick

Here's a hint. When the student comes in, show them where to set down their canopy (in your packing area, of course) and help them get out of the gear. As you have the rig in you hands, just lay it out and start packing. Seamless.

You say you're a slow packer? Speed will come with experience. Maybe the extra help is a good thing. You say all the new guys are swooping all the pack jobs. Then they should respect it when you swoop a few of your own. It's a dog eat dog world. Don't be wearing Alpo shorts.

Packing can be really competitive on slow days. I think it just comes with the territory. We have a lot of packers at our DZ, but I have no clue how they share the workload. Somehow they all seem to get along.

[kapers 0]

well the thing is im just not an aggressive person.
but i get along with everyone so im not holding grudges or anything. it just felt sort of rude to me.

but, i was just seeking a bit of advice here since you guys would probably know the unwritten "codes" and all that, which i dont. so thank all you guys for your help!