ccowden 0 #1 July 27, 2005 I have never liked to see tandem instructors hamming it up on a video to the point where THEY become the show, nor when I see a videographer on a tandem getting too creative to the point where they are showcasing their flying talent over getting good shots of the passenger. This weekend I saw some tandem video that just about made me sick. The TI would straddle the passenger with his legs straight down toward the ground while the student was belly to earth. The video guy then flew up and grabbed the TI's hand and began spinning with them. All the while this is going on, the tandem is extremely unstable, the passenger is thoroughly confused, and you don't see much at all of the student on the video. Then the TI pulls back to belly and swings both legs down on one side of the student so he is standing next to the student while they are belly to earth. This gets extremely wobbly and unstable and the video guy again is concentrating more on getting the TI than the student because they are acting like it is a game for them and just a way to amuse themselves. At one point, the tandem pair is spinning and the TI and the video guy are slapping hands on every rotation, getting no footage of the student at all. Once they go back to the normal body positions, you can see that the side latterals are stressed to more than a foot of slack between the TI and the student. I absolutely could not believe what I was seeing! No regard for the safety of the tandem. No regard for giving the student a nice ride. No regard for giving the student a greeat video of themselves. No regard at all for what their job was or what they were getting paid to provide, which is a safe and fun experience for the student and a nice video of THEM. Tandems are NOT for your entertainment and amusement! They are NOT for you to goof around with! You are supposed to be a professional and provide the customer with what they are paying for. That is why you are getting paid! DO YOUR JOB! If tandems or tandem videos are so boring for you that you feel the need to entertain yourself and screw around, then find another line of work. I do both tandems and tandem video, and I know that it can be a bit "boring" in the sense that you do the same thing over and over, but you are there to provide a service as a professional and are getting paid to do so. Remember what you are doing. You are giving someone a thrill of a lifetime. If you don't find that exciting enough without having to make it a show or compromise safety, then you need to move on. What I saw this weekend was just plain disgusting! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #2 July 27, 2005 Chris, did you open your own can of whoopass on the parties involved? Tearing them up here is almost exclusively singing to the choir. There's a S&TA at your DZ, what did they think? I'm glad you brought it up at all, but laying a little whoopass on the offenders is probably the best thing to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #3 July 27, 2005 It was not at my DZ. Believe me, if it was, they would not do another tandem there. I saw the video in passing and left without saying anything because this was a common practice apparently and was being witnessed by dozens at that dz. I didn't feel that it was my place to talk to the TI or video guy. I did think it was beneficial to post on here so others may consider what they are doing and to think about what our role is as professionals. I am not trying to "preach to the choir," but simply put the thought of what we do in the readers head. I did not single out individuals on here. If I was going to use names, I would then do it directly to them and not through a forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #4 July 27, 2005 QuoteI did think it was beneficial to post on here so others may consider what they are doing and to think about what our role is as professionals. I am not trying to "preach to the choir," but simply put the thought of what we do in the readers head. I did not single out individuals on here. If I was going to use names, I would then do it directly to them and not through a forum. Why delete your original post then? Nevermind, I found your other cross post. If you felt strongly enough that it was dangerous and unprofessional you should have spoke up while you were at the DZ your claiming it happened at..... Be safe. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #5 July 27, 2005 Yes, I agree. Hindsight is 20/20. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rasmack 0 #6 July 27, 2005 Hmm... Now I'm curious...HF #682, Team Dirty Sanchez #227 “I simply hate, detest, loathe, despise, and abhor redundancy.” - Not quite Oscar Wilde... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
