brucet7 0 #26 May 8, 2008 I was/am 55. It was a reward to myself along the road to losing 90 lbs.POPS #10623; SOS #1672 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #27 May 8, 2008 Quote yea but being a college student where did ya get hte money from maybe he also had a job - it's something college students used to do when mommy and daddy didn't foot the bill21, in college, working full time and taking full time classes simultaneously, lived in squalor with other skydivers, ate really cheap It wasn't so expensive then, and static line was more prevalent, but I still pretty much covered expenses and gave the rest to the DZO Took a loan for the first used rig (this one saw 3 world records (90, 100, 120), had exposed risers, etc, was on two Wally Gubbin's vids). Paid it off early. Could still save enough working in a pizza joint to buy a new rig (yes, left college with two rigs) and get a car. Money management and working is an amazing combination. yadda,.... same story as most of us 20 years ago ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packing_jarrett 0 #28 May 8, 2008 Started 3 years ago when I was 14. So obviously was still living mostly on someone elses money. Lots and lots of packing paid for my static line course and pretty much my rig. After that I jumped and packed as much as I could afford for a year. Then started doing video for the dropzone. I got my jumps paid for and bonus money for fun jumping. When I turn 18 this coming up winter I will have every rating. This could be used as a way for working through college too.Na' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
countzero 7 #29 May 8, 2008 did AFF level 1 for/on my 35th birthday. hope to be real close to 300 jumps by my 38th. "whats a man to do?" you ask. do what alot of us do for jump money: save up, sacrifice non-essentials, work overtime, and buy generic.diamonds are a dawgs best friend Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,303 #30 May 8, 2008 First Military Jump - 1980 First skydive -1981 23 y/o. Static Line for both. When transitioning to skydiving, I had to unlearn some military habits, but the gear was roughly the same. I bought a ParaCommander as my first rig with a stop watch as my altimeter for $350.00. It was still a lot of money for a then broke dick soldier. The FJC and my first five jumps cost me $125.00 The FJC was MUCH longer in those days.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #31 May 8, 2008 Met the afore mentioned JohnMitchell who was my instructor and he paid for everything after that. 25 years and 4 kids later we are still jumping. Quote Sounds like HE got a heck of a lot better than a 'break even' deal outta skydiving! Me...started 32 years ago at age 18, S/L @ 2000' for $75.00. 10 jumps later bought a used Pap with a 24' flat, altimeter and 10 years of old Parachutist mags for 300.00. Did my 1st demo with 22 jumps, into a semi-pro baseball stadium right next to the Mississippi...it was my second jump with smoke. Jumpmaster rating at 60 jumps, Instructor at 100. Taught 'just over' 1000 S/L students while attending college...would have stopped at a grand but my G/F asked to learn for her graduation...so it's 1001 survivors! ( not counting tandems ) Through creative sleight of hand and various applications of 'Smoke & Mirrors'...skydiving has pretty much always paid for itself. I mean heck, last weeks left coast adventure visiting Elsinore, Perris & Skydive San Diego...is a tax write off for training. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vskydiver 0 #32 May 8, 2008 Quote Met the afore mentioned JohnMitchell who was my instructor and he paid for everything after that. 25 years and 4 kids later we are still jumping. Quote Sounds like HE got a heck of a lot better than a 'break even' deal outta skydiving! Well, that depends on how you look at it I guess. Some days he might feel otherwise. He does get free jumpsuits! Hopefully that makes up for it a little bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squarecanopy 0 #33 May 8, 2008 i want to start AFF but dont have the cash flow right yet, whats a man to do? Get a job or a second job if you find that you want to be a skydiver. You will find a way if you want it bad enough. My guess is one trip out the door and you will be hooked! Just burning a hole in the sky..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #34 May 8, 2008 Age 52 in 1997. Had (have) a good job so money wasn't (isn't) an issue.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirkverner 0 #35 May 8, 2008 16 in 1982 S/L progression at Archway Skydiving Center in Sparta IL ParacleteXP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #36 May 8, 2008 QuoteHe does get free jumpsuits! We've had this discussion before..... as the husband of a suit maker, I just find that comment cute Oh, we PAY. we PAY... After industrial machines, a new floor, work lighting, work tables, raw materials, I think my first 3 suits averaged a bit over $3000 each. But at least they were "free" ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #37 May 8, 2008 Oh yeah! Good thing I'm an okay carpenter. I was able to build all the tables, cabinets, and work benches. Things didn't get really expensive until the industrial embroidery machine was purchased. Made the Juki walking foot machine seem pretty cheap.Okay, done hijacking the thread. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vskydiver 0 #38 May 8, 2008 Quote Okay, done hijacking the thread. Well, I'm not done hijacking this thread yet... I sell my jumpsuits to a lot of people which has put all the money plus some back into the bank account. And long ago I might add since I've been doing it for like 15 years or so. Therefore I'm going to have to say that all the suits I make him, and he has many of them, are free. I do make him pay for them in other ways but that is for me to know about. OK, Now I'm done hijacking the thread. As you were. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyawaygirl78 0 #39 May 8, 2008 Quote right on! and IMHO i think that you should do what you love (well will love, for me in a few weeks) in life and nothing should matter. maybe ill start going by that motto Amen to that one!! Its like that line from that movie Little Miss Sunshine: "Do what you love and fuck the rest"! Life is too short not too!! "Sex.... It's just like cuddling - only damper." Flying Hellfish#695 Muff Brother#3885 Rodriguez Brother#1526-Tronca Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffmullins 0 #40 May 9, 2008 11 back in may of 98. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #41 May 9, 2008 Quote 11 back in may of 98. Lucky!Wish I could have done that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mircan 0 #42 May 9, 2008 First static line with round and belly reserve at year 18. First square at jump 25. First demo around jump 150 at local mall parking lot. Money was an issue through college, so I didn`t jump so often as I wanted. Now, packing and doing video provide most of the money for jumps. Paycheck provides for gear and fun ones. jump smiling!dudeist skydiver #42 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elltee56 0 #43 May 9, 2008 I did my first tandem when I was 53. That was 11 years and 2300 skydives ago. My current brother in law hounded me to try a tandem and I only did it to get him off my back. I have done video for 4 way teams at the last 4 Nationals, been on the current POP'S 113 way world record, and the just completed SOS world record of a 43 way. I am a retired high school math teacher and enjoy traveling around the country jumping on record attempts I missed all of the round canopy hard landings. I wish I could have started earlier in life, but I would not have been able to afford it at that time.You are only as good as you think you are. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazmoDee 3 #44 May 9, 2008 Friday, April the 13th 2007, 5 days after my 40th birthday. Zhills! Just did my 100th on 5-5-08. Never looking back.I'm behind the bar at Sloppy Joe's....See ya in the Keys! Muff 4313 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #45 May 9, 2008 Quote Well, I'm not done hijacking this thread yet... just for clarification i Said 1 - "I pay, OH I pay" 2 - some money thing Those are 2 different things, not one You and Kim should talk sometime - suitmakers are cool. (actually, after only a couple 'official' years, I think we've passed the break even point - pretty cool, small business startups are usually longer term than that - and you were right, the embroidery is better business than suitmaking, but she likes making the suits more) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex92 0 #46 May 9, 2008 I am doing my consoles at the mo. I'm 16 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevinsa 0 #47 May 16, 2008 I did my first AFF Level 1 jump about 3 weeks after my 16th birthday and am now onto level 4. Loving it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuna-Salad 0 #48 May 18, 2008 I did AFF1 on january 28 and finished AFF 7 on Febuary 16. Age of 26. I did my "first' AFF1 at a DZ that is no longer open when I was 18.Millions of my potential children died on your daughters' face last night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #49 May 18, 2008 ...... the moment I left the aeroplane (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
