Greetings to all. I started jumping last summer for my 40th b-day. I did a tandem jump, then started AFF training shortly thereafter. I share the same affliction of the pre-jump jitters that many of you have described..well, it is more like huge knots of tow-rope tied up in my gut. My instructor explained it using the words "sensory overload". He told me that nothing you have ever done before prepares you for this. Also, everything you HAVE done before tells your brain "this is NOT normal". Because I am now obsessed with this sport, I have taken to watching as many skydiving videos as possible to desensitize myself. I think it is working. I will let you know after my next jump.
Blue skies to all of you.