tplyons

Not looking to have anyone make decisions for me. I simply am looking for advise of questions to ask a new DZ before doing business with them. The reason I still scuba dive with the shop I do is because of the people and professionalism. Who knows if I'd still be diving if the staff ended up being a bunch of jerks? This bit helps, it's good to know that mediocre instructors won't be invited back. However, when I'm looking for an instructor, I'm not sure of what makes a good instructor or not, which is why I'm asking questions. You seem really stuck on this Yelp thing. Simply put, I travel the country for work. When it comes to places to go, things to do when I'm on the road, Yelp hasn't let me down, not once. Same with my hobbies. The fact that Yelp contradicts the reviews on this site (here the most recent review at the DZ I'm considering is from 2010 and all are positive, while the reviews on Yelp are from 2012 and are negative) -- if there was a change in ownership, this could reflect it. This, and the website hasn't been updated since 2011. That's leaving a bad taste in my mouth that agrees moreso with Yelp's reviews than these. I'm here asking for guidance as someone looking to start into a new sport. If you think I'm here looking for someone to make decisions for me, you are mistaken. This is simply part of my research before I'm able to get out and see some of those DZ's for myself. Your Neighborhood Friendly Candyman -Timothy P. Lyons

Great news, thanks! So far these guys are seeming to be the most consistently praised in the area. I think I'll see what I can do about spending a day hanging around there to get a feel. Is this kosher in the skydiving community to hang around a DZ and ask questions? Your Neighborhood Friendly Candyman -Timothy P. Lyons

Thanks, I'll look into these two. Looks like the Ranch is about 90 minutes north of my place and Cross Keys is about two hours south. The two real DZ's I was looking into is Skydive Sussex in Sussex, NJ and Sky's the Limit in East Stroudsburg, PA, both of which are about an hour away. I'll continue digging. My birthday is in less than 3 weeks and I'm hoping to get a feel for a place soon. My parents have offered to pay for my first jump for my 26th birthday and I'd like to take them up on it. Your Neighborhood Friendly Candyman -Timothy P. Lyons

Thanks for the insight. I've actually lurked around this site for a while and have read many of the reviews around here on many of the sites I'm looking into. I've been eyeballing Skydive Sussex based on the recommendation of a friend, and the reviews here all seem to be glowing, however, the reviews here are over a year old whereas Yelp's reviews are more recent and much more negative. Didn't know if this meant a change in ownership or management. As far as what to look for, this is the one place where advise is most helpful going in. When I started scuba diving, I went to several shops and got a great vibe from two of them and dove there. I found out later that one of the shops I got a good vibe from was run by guys with questionable business practices. Had I not had the insight of members of a forum like this, I'd be diving with that shop and who knows how much unnecessary money I would have spent. Being that it's still winter and snow is all over the ground, there's not much jumping going on, so no local legwork to really be done. When the weather gets nicer, I'll see what I can do about being a hangaround at a few of these local DZ's. Thanks for the input though! Your Neighborhood Friendly Candyman -Timothy P. Lyons

Hey all, I'm a 26 year old adventurer looking for the next big adventure in my life. I love to explore the country on motorcycle, and now through scuba diving. I've always been fascinated by airplanes and skydiving, so it's next for me! I'm looking to get certified this year, after making my first tandem of course. I'm in North Jersey and am looking for the right dropzone. I've heard great things about one, but have found some VERY contradictory reviews on Yelp which hasn't led me astray while traveling the country. So what to look for in a DZ? I'm willing to travel a bit for the right one. But all and all, hello! Your Neighborhood Friendly Candyman -Timothy P. Lyons