ABerry83

Glad you had a great time. I did my first tandem there about 3 years ago. However, Skydive Alabama is my home dz...I live in Nashville and make the trip most weekends. Excellent staff and great people. Over all the others, I recommend Skydive Alabama 100% hands down no question. If you're ever in Nashville again, you gotta come down our way...you'll be glad you did!!!

Twin Otter!!! Jumped one for the 1st time this weekend!

That's funny

I find it horrible that anyone would deliberately try to trick consumers the way they do...yet they continue to knowingly break the law for a few more pennies! The more I know about these people, the madder it makes me.

Wait...I thought this sorta scam was illegal in the state of TN as of last year? How are they getting around it?

Freaking awesome news!!! Shoulda guessed as much...Jack never disappoints

I will miss Jack... 00:00:00

And that's exactly why I got rid of mine...got tired of fixing and paying a premium for parts/labor, so I got a Honda. Was like I still had a car payment when I had the thing payed off for over a year!!! Now I can have more jumps and am plenty content . They're pretty cars, but boy are they spensive little buggers. Good luck!!!

I'm no old-timer, but at our dz it wouldn't be "rude" not to stay. I actually use to do the same thing when I first started on AFF. Jump, then leave. Then, someone invited me to go out to dinner with everyone after sunset and I slowly started to get to know the jumpers/instructors. I started staying 30 minutes, then an hour, then for a bit around the bonfire.....but what I found happening was I genuinely started enjoying my time hanging out at the dz with everyone. Now, I don't just stay for a few hours--I'm often there the whole weekend! And I'm not the only one. IMO, I think that speaks volumes for the quality of people that jump at our dz and the way the dzo runs the place. I heard that it becomes like a second family, but sorta brushed it off at first....then when you get to know a few jumpers, then another and another, it really does end up feeling like a little extended family. Even though I'm still getting to know everyone, I've really enjoyed gaining a whole other group of friends that really are starting to feel more like a family. I'm sure there are other sports out there that might be like this, but none that I've ever known. Just another aspect of skydiving that makes it all worth the (calculated) risk! I bet you'll find a similar experience....you'll get to know everyone and then start making plans around STAYING at the dz! Bonfires, crazy games, lots of good times! No one will think you're rude if you don't, but you'll miss out on all the fun!!!

i wouldn't worry...i'm on jump 70 something and still working on it so you're at least good until then!

Mine know...they both hate it. Back when I went through AFF I would mention it here or there and they would FLIP OUT. So I stopped talking about it completely with them and don't even tell them when I go or how much I go (they'd REALLY flip out then ). It was the best decision I ever made. Even if they ask, I shrug it off now cause it always ends bad. I don't have to deal with mom talking all negative about it and taking the fun out of it. Kinda sad really that they can't/won't ever share in the excitement, but don't worry about that...you'll find TONS of other jumpers that will be just as excited as you are about it on the weekends. Besides, you are doing it for yourself, right?!!!

The more you jump, the more you remember. Though pretty soon, you won't be able to use that "mind-blanking" excuse when you screw up down the road...say wrap your canopy around a flag or have a 30-second brainfart at the door.

How much will I spend...hmmm...well, since the dz is open on v-day and there's no misses at the moment, that all depends how many jumps I can make x$25

The commercials generally sucked this year....though I did like the huge sock monkey costume from the Kia commercials. Hoping to get that for this year's halloween party

I never write reviews, but I've got to give props to to a DZ that has given back much more to me in the short time that I've been there jumping...so here goes!: After making a tandem 2 years ago, I knew I was hooked and started looking for place that I could go through AFF after finishing up on some of my grad school work. I came across Skydive Alabama actually from a recommendation through these forums...so, I decided to make a trip about a year ago and do an observation ride to check things out. Manifest was very accommodating and their staff was very safety conscious throughout the entire experience. Afterward, I ended up hanging around and talking to many of the instructors and jumpers who took the time to answer all of my wuffo questions with a smile. I KNEW this was exactly the DZ where I wanted to jump when I started AFF... Fast forward a year later...in August 09' I was finally able to start AFF. Since then, I've made over 50 jumps to-date. Not a lot by comparison of many, but enough to write an accurate review. I can't say enough how much I've grown to absolutely love this DZ and the jumpers who come out every weekend. I could go to several other DZ's around me (I live in Nashville), but choose to drive over 145 miles, 2.5 hours South to what I am happy to call my home DZ. Their staff is friendly, business is conducted honestly, and the instructors and pilots are VERY safety conscious...everyone really seems to look out for one another. I've heard stories about other DZs where it's hard for newer jumpers to find people to jump with, but that is NOT the case at Skydive Alabama. They have several coaches that are available and seasoned jumpers often go out of their way to include you on different types of jumps as a newbie. The atmosphere and vibe are top-notch! Halloween parties, Christmas parties, New Year's night jumps, etc. During summer they do bonfires at night and most everyone stays around to have a good time. I've gotten to know a ton of people that are really amazing...none of that "stuck up, I'm better than you" crap, which makes my weekends awesome and allows me to learn a ton from experienced jumpers at this DZ. Their facilities include a carpeted packing area, heated/cooled office, warm showers, ample camping areas inside the hanger, good sized landing area, several student rigs, packers, riggers, coaches, the FBO has a full-service diner (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and more. I can't recommend Skydive Alabama enough...the good times I've had in just 6 months alone have made me look forward to every weekend with a big smile. I hope you receive this review as being honest and genuine, because it is...and hopefully it will help you make an informed decision regarding this DZ. As for me...you'll find me at Skydive Alabama!!!

Yeah, I wanna know the price and range too. The whole 'augmented reality' thing is really starting to impress me...amazing what we can do nowadays.

Mine was more like 14 jumps !!! I did my part to keep the dz open during my AFF ! I failed L2 twice and L3 four times! It was so frustrating at times, but it was all worth it when I was finished....my instructors were great. They didn't hold my hand, but sure swiped the training wheels quick after each level! It was good for me cause I would have stayed in the same place forever had they not...sure I'm not perfect, but I can save my life! Each jump just gets better and better...

Agreed.

Haha...after last weekend I can no longer say I'm a 3-way virgin. Yeah, I guess it does make one wonder how I ever got off AFF...after freakin jump #15! Just doing my part to keep the doors open for other jumpers ...

Mostly it's not the questions I get asked, but the judgmental looks/comments I get that bothers me the most..."You're just crazy" or "I hope you get it out of your system soon" or "there's something wrong with you"...etc... I've just gotten tired of the comments and don't tell anyone about it unless they explicitly ask...and even then it's like prying teeth to get me to talk about it because the comments eventually get made in conversation anyways. It's kinda sad really...what's so wrong with me enjoying life in a way different than yours??? Why be so quick to publicly judge when I don't judge you at all? You can ride motorcycles and race cars and no one bats an eye, but jumping out a plane is considered "suicide" ....huh???? Just makes me mad sometimes....

Gonna be a life-sized gingerbread man...specifically Gingy from Shrek!!!

Since you already have Vista and would likely only be paying the upgrade cost instead of the full cost, I'd say go for it. It's not drastically different by any means, but it kinda is in a way. You'll definitely notice it runs much faster and smoother than Vista as it utilizes your system resources and ram much more efficiently. The interface finally makes sense, mainly because they stole a bit from Apple's OS. W7 does a good job of finding any drivers that you need (especially if you have a newer computer that's only a year or two old) so you don't have to go hunting for all those pesky drivers on the Internet...it makes the install/upgrade process much easier for more less computer savvy people to tackle by themselves. Of course you'd want to backup EVERYTHING first on external media or hard drives...but my vote is YES! I pre-ordered my copy on Amazon for $50, so it was worth the upgrade cost to me. Enjoy!

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back! And yes, NOW is a good time to buy...they just refreshed their iMac lineup a few days ago. Say goodbye to viruses, reformatting your computer, and reinstalling the OS (operating system) every year (or less)...you'll likely never have to do that if you get a Mac. They're super-stable and IMO, the only downside is the cost. If you really need Windows that bad, you can always use virtual machines like someone else was saying...I use VMWare Fusion and it costs like $50 + the cost of the Windows OS. You can do everything a PC can do and MORE with a Mac! That's my take!

I agree, he'll go quicker than he thinks he will....people that call themselves smart are usually never as smart as they claim. I can't believe he found the immunity idol though, I give him props for that!

This is so true...at least for me. I thought I'd be "better" than I was at the end of the hour, but in reality I had slightly unrealistic expectations only because of my lack-of-knowledge about just how much time and investment it takes to become super good. I have the desire to continue getting better, but have to accept the fact that NOTHING takes only an hour to master. Flying your body takes work, patience, and acquired skill...my hour was well worth it and I'm certainly plan on coming back for more, but I'm no expert and won't be for many more hours in the tunnel or sky. My hour gave me a BIG jump start into controlling my body much better than I had with my previous 7 or 8 jumps, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love learning from people, so that just gives me something to work towards!!!