tandemwench

That's what I thought....thanks!!!

When you say your go pro goes on / off the same time as the cx100, how do you do that? I don't have a go pro but am considering setting it up like you have. Are you manually turning it on and off or do you have it connected with a switch? Thanks - Aimee

Yep.

You guys are all funny! A poster, by the name of Jack Meoff? at 550 jumps, exactly 3 years in the sport, asking about handcam and smaller canopies..... And y'all think he's serious? Sorry Steve - wasn't directly at you, I just got a good laugh is all.

I think there are probably 70 or 90 of us penisly challenged TI's....doesn't compare to the male numbers, but there are more and more all the time! I am usually the only female TI at a DZ, last year was the only summer I got to share that role. I have been a TI for just over 5 years and keep coming back for more. I only let the broken femur keep me down 5 months after promising to quit for a year. There is something about the energy that comes from the tandems students which I feed off of. It's quite infectious. And of course I'm tougher than my male counterparts anyway! :) ha ha

My knees are padded (people call them my goalie pads) and considerably lower than where you think they should be!! They've held up perfect and the pad finds perfect placement once I have a rig on. 2nd that on booties - next pair will have booties, I love doing tandems in my belly suit - :)

Enhances the realism of the experience, doesn't it? Hey, you forgot to mention that you smack them in the mouth to remind them to get their head back. ..................................................................................... I gave up on punching or slapping students years ago. The problem - with beating on truly stupid/scared people - is that the only thing that changes is that your hand gets tired. Heck - I just do a reach around on them.....certainly reminds them to do something at least!! .................................................................................. Which raises one of the great ethical debates of our time. Which is better: tickle their "wedding tackle" to a void a quick, dishonorable death (unstable opening) ... or risk the years of misery inflicted my lawyers who allege that you sexually harrassed a client????? Hah! Hah! such a very thin fine line...... which side to dance on..... :)

Enhances the realism of the experience, doesn't it? Hey, you forgot to mention that you smack them in the mouth to remind them to get their head back. ..................................................................................... I gave up on punching or slapping students years ago. The problem - with beating on truly stupid/scared people - is that the only thing that changes is that your hand gets tired. Heck - I just do a reach around on them.....certainly reminds them to do something at least!!

ok - I know it isn't really pertinent to the whole discussion, but why on earth would you even mention anything about a student suing you? I found this slightly odd.... You did everything right...and did it well, I might add (other than your pre-flight, but you already know that) I'm just afraid comments like those are what puts it into peoples mind in the first place. Well that and this country is sue happy....but your description of the events doesn't make me think...wow he should be sued. Just curious what made you even consider it?

I love the 42Kate picture.... that was a great shot!!!

I like it a lot - I have a cx5 glove but would work the same. I think your set up just finished convincing me! Did you modify the helmet mount or something else?

The Belly band on the tandem harnesses can be left a little loose as well. It will certainly tighten up when the instructor tightens you down, but at that point you can make a few adjustments since you can use your hands while he/she tightens you to them. Once you are in freefall, the band will probably move to a different position but you can initially out the door hold on to it (easier said than done I'm sure) Just a thought. Once the parachute is open and no issues, the belly band can be loosened all the way if it hasn't already. Just a thought

If it's a level two or three, we had a load off to sit and write out the log book... Other than that, a lot of times we were running back to back due to the demand. I will say though that even though we were busy, and running back to back, the owner NEVER had a problem letting the plane sit a few extra minutes if we needed to take a moment with the student or anything else to maximize their experience. He tried to emphasize that we still needed to be personal even when we were busy. Sometimes though....it's hard, even though it's my favorite part about it. I actually just moved, so I will be at a different DZ now anyway....and will miss the one I was at. However, I do think just handing the person something personal...will help retain. I will be at a much slower DZ though too, so I will be able to give a little more attention.

I thought about pre-printing a bunch of log books (pieces of paper) that had level 1 tandem filled out, then info on level 2/3 tandem in the other spots. Might be a little overkill to had to every student, but the ones that might be even remotely interested in a 2nd jump, I think it would gain repeat business for that DZ since they would feel a part of it straight away. Usually we all are running too fast to actually fill these out between each load, so something that is a catch-all....though generic would be better than nothing. Make them card stock, 5x7's or something....

I actually thought the same as Tara - then figured...no way! I always had to chuck up the $20 too for lost ones. Only takes a few to learn that lesson!