Do You Pay your Load Organizer?

[flyhi 24]

Ran into a new situation this weekend where the LO's collected a buck a person for each load they organized. Does everyone (anyone?) else do that? This is the first time I jumped at this DZ and the first time I ever saw it. I have jumped at approximately a dozen other DZ's.

Also, if you are ante'ing up to an LO, does that mean you have more say into what you do, i.e. "No thanks, I don't want to float, I would rather practice my diving?"

Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

[Ron 10]

You might be talking about Zhills.

I can only explain Zhills anyway.

The DZ used to pay the LO's 5 bucks a jump...Some like me used that to get a pack job, or on slower days I would by a few cases of beer.

Thee managment stoped paying the LO's....Well, as you can imagine some of the LO's insted of organizing chose to do AFF, or Tandems....Most of the LO's were professional skydivers that jumped for a living. Some like Steve Lapp made his winter money being a LO....This hurt them, and some commented that they need to make some money to live on. Some started coaching more, some packed...almost none could afford to LO, without some money comming in.

So this plan came up.....Its an old plan done at many boogies (What do you think the boogie fees are for?).
Each person who wanted to get organized could buck up a dollar. This way the LO could still be a professional LO, with out the DZ having to raise jump tickets for everyone...even those that didn't use the LO.

Seems a good idea, and it does work....

As for asking to dive insted of float....Well, you can always ask...It is the LO's job to challenge the group...Just don't screw up, or you may be placed back in the base, or even cut.

What other DZ's have you been to?

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[skybytch 273]

Depends on the LO, the dz and the type of jump(s). On an everyday LO'd dive at Perris I wouldn't expect to pay any more than my jump ticket.

Doing a larger jump (or a series of larger jumps) with video I have no problem kicking down a buck or two per jump to pay the camera guy and LO for their time - generally these jumps are worth every extra penny.

I've also paid an extra $5-20 for a day of LO'd jumps in a camp format - again, worth every extra penny.

The LO's I've paid extra to jump with are some of the best RW organizers in the world. I don't have a problem paying extra for quality skydives... and jumping with these folks, it's rare to make a jump that isn't quality.

[cmnorris 0]

Quote

As for asking to dive insted of float....Well, you can always ask...It is the LO's job to challenge the group...Just don't screw up, or you may be placed back in the base, or even cut.

Is this true? You are not allowed to screw up?

[jmpnkramer 0]

Quote

Is this true? You are not allowed to screw up?

You get a couple of chances and a side talk before being booted. Usually that is.

A good organizer will not ditch you from the group in front of everyone.

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[Albatross 0]

Hold on there. Most LOs are not going to cut you. Cutting is a practice for organizers on larger or more complicated jumps. A big way organizer might cut you for being dangerous or screwing up a record or large event jump (like the 112 ways). At Perris for example there are several types of LOs, some cut others don't. Jan Myers might cut because she is trying to do intricate 16-20 ways. Some of the 8 way groups might cut because there are block moves and speed is critical. The recreational LO does not cut unless you really need basic skills or are dangerous. They usually will go out of their way to make sure that you ahve someone to jumps with in smaller goups if you need it.

Chris

[flyhi 24]

Quote

What other DZ's have you been to?

Skydive Hawaii
PISC
Byron
Skydive Skydance
Monterrey Bay
Eloy
Dallas
Emerald Coast
Extreme Sport JAX
Deland
Palatka
Lake Wales

I would gladly pay for a larger or more intrigue jump and I don't really have a problem paying for the jumps I did (one was a six way that did two points). I figure I knew no one and I got a chance to do some RW with different people and that was cool. I just felt like such a rube when the LO asked for the money after the second jump and I was caught by surprise. Really wasn't trying to beat him out of it, just didn't know.

Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

[dreamsville 0]

I have jumped with Steve Lapp a number of times, as well as some other organizers in the last few years. Generally Steve and the others that charge are worth the money. They have a large book of jumps in their heads, give good advice, and help provide newcomers with a group situation and maybe new friends that might not have happened as easily otherwise.

How many times have you had a beer with someone you met while jumping with them all day, and getting to know them and how they fly? Makes a difference.
|

I don't drink during the day, so I don't know what it is about this airline. I keep falling out the door of the plane.

Harry, FB #4143

[AndyMan 7]

I have never paid for normal everyday L/O.

This includes jumps at The Ranch, Aerhio, Skydive Chicago, Chicagoland, Perris, Eloy, Lodi, Aerohio... and others.

If it was something special - a case where a L/O was brought in for you specifically, or it was coaching, then I could understand it. Not for general everyday stuff, though.

Most LO's do get paid, either in cash or jump credit... but that's the DZ's job to pay them. Not yours.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[billvon 3,058]

As an LO I rarely get paid. Sometimes I get my slot covered one way or another but that's about it. Sometimes the DZO pays for it, sometimes the aircraft owners, sometimes the event coordinator. Often I don't get paid _and_ I don't get my slot covered. Ten of us will get together and they'll all look at me. Then there will be that awkward silence until someone says "So, do you know a good 10-way?"

[Zenister 0]

nope, but then maybe at Eloy i'm just spoiled.

There are always world class skydivers around (my employed by the DZ, but some not) who LO during weekends or large events, and i've never paid extra for their services...even during the week there are LOs putting together smaller groups of all styles..some seem to do as part of their job, but others do it just for fun, or to get more skydivers involved.


i miss eloy

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[kallend 2,099]

Only at Z-Hills where it's a buck a jump. I really don't mind as long as I get value for money. A good LO like Andy or Greg or Steve gives value for the $1

Elsewhere it's been free to the jumpers (but the DZO picks up the slot).

As far as getting cut is concerned, if one person consistently messes up I think they should be encouraged to look for a smaller group or one doing simpler skydives, for the benefit of everyone else. And safety violations should not be tolerated.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Iflyme 0]

Quote

Just don't screw up, or you may be placed back in the base, or even cut.

Is someone trying to take the FUN outta skydiving? Sounds more like a work environment with the boss breathing down your neck than a fun weekend pastime

[steve1 5]

I don't have the experience to have much knowlege on this subject. On a recent trip to Eloy we all chipped in $20. for the day to pay our load organizer for six jumps. We had two people flying camera (including Mike McGowan). It was kind of a stressful time for me, because I still have plenty to learn and we were threatened with getting cut before every load. It's hard to hide your screw-ups when it's all on video. All in all it was money well spent for me and I learned plenty. I don't know who our load organizer was, but he must have been pretty good. In the last Parachutist Magazine he was pictured after a jump with mostly Arizona Air Speed jumpers. I guess I was lucky to jump with him, and the others on our load. Considering what I learned that day, $20. was cheap..... Steve1

[airann 1]

Nope, his jumps are free. (freeflyer)

~AirAnn~

[slotperfect 7]

In my limited experience with LOs I have never paid one. I was under the impression that the DZO paid the LOs for their services to keep the customers jumping.

Personally, I wouldn't have a problem kicking in a buck for a talented organizer that puts together fun, interesting skydives.

Arrive Safely

John

[Ron 10]

Zhills has I think the lowest cost Jump tickets for the average joe....

They thought about raising the lift ticket fees, then still pay the LO, but that would be funding a program by everyone that not everyone uses....This way only the people who use the LO's pay for the LO's...

I think its fair, and it works well...I don't charge when I LO, but I have job, and make some extra money as a 4way coach and I coach in the tunnel.

Its a good program....you are always free to get your own group going. You don't have to use the LO's...

Don't you think that these guys should be able to make a living? Most people don't mind paying for video, but they don't like to pay for a LO????

It's a dollar....geeze....What can I get for a dollar?

Well other than a 20 min phone call with 10-10-2-20?
(I was wishing that hot chick for the commerical whould show up....still waiting............and still waiting) DAMN!

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[Ron 10]

Quote

Hold on there. Most LOs are not going to cut you. Cutting is a practice for organizers on larger or more
complicated jumps.

If a person is holding back a group, I have no problem cutting them. It is about the group. Not the individual.
I would work on getting them to a same skill level group, and not cut them publicly...But in an 8 way I have 6 others to think about.

If a person is dangerous..I have no problem cutting them....Again, I would talk to them and explain why....and offer to work on it. But I would not put them, or anyone else in harms way.

So yes cutting happens on ALL size groups. Not just big ways.

Ron

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334