How many T/M's do not have thier own rig

[rhys 0]

I have met a few tandem masters that do not fun jump anymore and do not have thier own rig. I find this to be wierd. i have just got my tandem rating and intend on fun jumping forever. there is so much to learn.

does that desire fade a little every time you throw the drouge or is it an individual thing?

I have also noticed experienced jumpers not learning new disciplines and even mocking them and it seems to me that it is mainly a case of not wanting to look like a learner.

any thoughts. i don't want to be a grumpy tandem master that 'only' does tandems.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

[bmason81 0]

I have seen a lot of tandem master at my dropzone who have been pitching drouges so long that it is just work and do not seem to have much fun anymore. I can never see this getting old to me.

pull low, fly fast, PLF!

[koppel 4]

I work on one of the few DZ in OZ that does mostly S/L and Tandem with some AFF thrown in. Having been in the sport for just over 2 years I was given what appears to be good advice when I showed an interest in working f/t. Vary your disciplines! None of the instructors at our DZ are jaded and we are all muti-rated. Try everything. Have fun.

I like my canopy...


...it lets me down.

[slotperfect 7]

I guess I am an anomaly - I rarely make anything other than tandems during my weekend skydiving activity (I do a lot of stuff at work), and the diversion is usually AFF. But tandems are incredibly fun for me! I would rather do a tandem than anything else, at least at the moment. I am not in it for the money - I currently donate my skydiving income to a less fortunate skydiving friend.

I thrive on the reaction I get from people after we land, sometimes changing the way they look at themselves and the world. It is empowering for me to serve as a vehicle for the empowerment of others.

The Transfer of Ownership

Arrive Safely

John

[des 2]

i know exactly how u feel about this, i felt the same way,when i 1st got my tandem rating,i didn't want to be like those guys that didnt fun jump. now after 12 yrs as a fulltime inst , the last 6 yrs at tandem only dz's,i dont get to fun jump anymore. the main reason for that is lack of opportunity and money.
but like slotperfect after 7000+ tandems i just love doing them.
only half of the tm's i work with fun jump,those that dont have the same reasons as me.
if i could earn enough money in 5 days , i would fun jump every weekend,but that just doesnt happen.
at least i still get to jump everyday,and thank god for that.
i have never owned my own rig, and hope to hell i am not grumpy.

[scrublink 0]

I am an idiot.

Thought the poll meant: Do you have your own "tandem rig".
Sorry for skewing the results.

I have only made about ten fun jumps this year at my home dz. Not sure if owning my own sport rig is even worth it. If I want to sport jump, I must go somewhere else. I alway seem to end up working somehow if I show up.

[des 2]

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I am an idiot.

Thought the poll meant: Do you have your own "tandem rig".
Sorry for skewing the results.
duhh , i thought the same thing. yes i still own my sport rig.
I have only made about ten fun jumps this year at my home dz. Not sure if owning my own sport rig is even worth it. If I want to sport jump, I must go somewhere else. I alway seem to end up working somehow if I show up.

[Kimblair13 0]

I only have about 300 tandem. Since I've gotten my tandem rating I do about 1/4 fun jumps, 3/4 tandems. But I totally enjoy doing tandems. I still have my own personal rig and don't plan on ever not having one. After a weekend of only fun jumping I'm restless to do a tandem. There just fun.

[bodypilot1 0]

The ones that don't are mostly just scared to jump alone.



Be safe.
Ed

www.WestCoastWingsuits.com
www.PrecisionSkydiving.com

[Liemberg 0]

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The ones that don't are mostly just scared to jump alone.

Well... I still own a private rig and I'm not scared to jump alone, but nowadays I always feel a bit naked when there's no one upfront...
(Other than that, like slotperfect said tandem IS fun and rewarding - being present when someone sees the world from under a parachute for the first time... My guess is that all this "hard work / no fun - bitching and moaning" tandemmasters do is only to lure the DZO into giving them a raise... )

"Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory." - Leonardo da Vinci
A thousand words...

[packerkevin 0]

I do have a couple rigs. My only problem is that I make so many tandems versus fun jumps, I spend the entire ride to altitude repeating to myself...
"no drouge toss on exit, no drouge toss on exit..

Growing old is mandatory, Growing up is optional

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I too have seen plenty of people that don't do anything but "work" jumps and even a few who don't even own any gear (sport or tandem) of their own anymore. You would not believe how many members of the USAPT do not own their own gear. Me? I own two sport rigs and my own tandem rig and my wife has two rigs of her own.

Chuck

[DanglesOZQld 0]

I still fun jump and own my own gear but not at all often these days. Money is the main reason and the fact that like a lot of other tm's have stated I still get a buzz from the first time jumper strapped to the front of me during my so-called "work" jumps.

We used to get fun jumps for $15 as staff but now it costs $38 as we have lost our Let o/s ;(

BSBD!! -Mark.

"A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!"

[brettpobastad 0]

For referance, I have done well over 3000 tandems since getting my rating in 1994. I'm 46 years old and in good shape. I am rated by all the manufacturers and own my own Jump Shack tandem rig. I still fun jump as much as poosible. I got my AFF rating five years ago and at this point I'd much rather do that. I'm definately in the 'cranky old skydiver' category but I still give my passengers nothing less than my best on every jump (even if I have to fake the smile and small talk at times) In freefall, there is no way you can't have fun. Some are more fun then others, especially when it comes to doing tandems. I still get my skirt blown up every once in awhile by that 'out of the ordinary' tandem and just when I think I have seen it all....

I know tandem instructors with as many or more tandems than me who absolutely love doing them with first jump look in their eyes. The great Steve Rafferty comes to mind. I also know tandem instructors with 200 jumps who think they know everything and never say two words to their passengers. I think it depends on personality and circumstance.

If you absolutely MUST become a tandem instructor (like we need more of 'em out there) here a a few tips:

At the beginning of your tandem career, set modest limits for yourself (the biggest and heaviest you will take, how many you will do in a day, your lowest exit altitude, etc.) and stick to it. DZO's will use and abuse and pressure you into doing things you're not comfortable with, if they can get away with it.

Don't try an be a hero. It may hurt someone other than yourself.

Establish routines for everything (training, gear-up, pre-jump check, etc.) AND DO IT THE SAME WAY EVERYTIME!

If you are lucky enough to have a highly experienced tandem instructor who knows what he is doing, and he wants to help you. Listen to what he says! Why re-invent the wheel. (note: this tip does not apply if the experienced tandem instructor in question is also the DZO. They will sell you down the road, brother!)

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVE AWAY OR BUY A TANDEM FOR A CUTE CHICK IF SHE WILL JUMP NAKED. You're not gonna get your bones jumped anyway 'cause she's already got your number, pal! And more importantly, it's just not dignified. (note: it's important to understand that I am in no way saying not to take a chick that wants to jump naked! It's your sacred duty to do so. just don't do it for free!)

Small Cessna's are hard on tandem instructors in particular. Just know that going in.

Avoid fat chicks, lawyers and people from France.

That about covers the high points. Have fun out there!

Brett

"It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

[aironscott 3]

Brett-
Every once in a while somone on this dz.com website comes up with a good, honest, and helpfull peice of advise. On the rare occasion that it happens I try to recognize the event.
Your post here on tandems I would like everyone who wants to be an instructor to read.
You have obviously been around a bit and know what's up in the tandem community.
Too bad we don't work at the same dz as I'm all but retired from AFF and do almost exclusively tandems and am very happy with that.
Anyway - thanks for a good post.
aaron

“God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!”

[Andrewwhyte 1]

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Avoid fat chicks, lawyers and people from France.

I agree, but what does that have to do with tandems?

[brettpobastad 0]

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agree, but what does that have to do with tandems?

OK, continue to avoid fat chicks lawyers and people from France.

"It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

[brettpobastad 0]

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I agree, but what does that have to do with tandems?

Wait, this is better....Avoid getting on the plane with fat chicks, lawyers and people from France.

How's that?

"It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

[brettpobastad 0]

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Every once in a while somone on this dz.com website comes up with a good, honest, and helpfull peice of advise.

Thank you for the kind words, Aaron. I appreciate it. And more importantly, thank you for 'getting it' so to speak.

I have one of those love/hate addiction things with this website.What frustrates me about these forums is that all the 'discussion' is done in print on a screen. It's easy to say anything, out of context or just plain wrong and stay insulated and anonymous. There's no face to face accountability. And all the nuances of debate and discussion are lost in the translation. But the really bad part is that there are impressionable students or younger novice skydivers out there who truly believe a lot of the bullshit put out.

That being said, I believe that most everyone that participates in these forums truly mean well and care about the sport of skydiving.

Even 'ol whatsisname..."Piece of metal...bent into a curve, which then... will....uuhhh.... sweep down ...and....catch"

"It's only arrogance if you can't back it up"

[skydiverton 0]

Quote

Quote

I agree, but what does that have to do with tandems?

Wait, this is better....Avoid getting on the plane with fat chicks, lawyers and people from France.

How's that?

It took a while but here we have a good advice.
Thanks!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit,
Especially when you are jumping a sport rig

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

Good posts, Brett.

[efs4ever 3]

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I thrive on the reaction I get from people after we land, sometimes changing the way they look at themselves and the world. It is empowering for me to serve as a vehicle for the empowerment of others.

Amen to that. Nothing like busting a cherry and doing it right.
Now I'm on the eve of helping some Peeps get their tandem rating. Probably in for some scary chit.

Russell M. Webb D 7014
Attorney at Law
713 385 5676
https://www.tdcparole.com