We need a union. It really is pathetic that since the early 90's pay has basically stayed the same. Impossible to make a living. Even worse it encourages instructors to spend less time with students so they can get on to the next jump.
We need a union. It really is pathetic that since the early 90's pay has basically stayed the same. Impossible to make a living. Even worse it encourages instructors to spend less time with students so they can get on to the next jump.
In the late 70's it paid $10/student to teach the s/l FJC. That price continued into the late 90's. I think it pays $15/student now for the AFF FJC. I'm not sure because I only teach once a year. It's not worth my time. . . .
We need a union. It really is pathetic that since the early 90's pay has basically stayed the same. Impossible to make a living. Even worse it encourages instructors to spend less time with students so they can get on to the next jump.
If it were simply % based on what the student is paying it would always keep up with price increase on the DZ and remain a fair split.
You will make more with a union, too bad you'll have to pay the union 2x what your raise was. Unions don't work, look at the auto industry....
Some people have bad feelings towards unions. But why call it a union. When the intructor rateing system was started by USPA it was just a weekend thing, putting out static lines. Now the DZ staff has grown into a full time gig, AFF, tandems etc.
The PIA part of USPA and it isn't union, it's a association.
DZ's aren't a union their group members.
Dentists, Dr's and Lawyers don't belong to unions they belong to professional organizations..
If the DZ staff wants to be treated like professionals, be paid a fair wage have their gear insured if it's stored at the DZ etc etc. Than they need to get organized at a national level.
USPA and the DZ's aren't going to do this for the DZ staff. I heard about this thing called social media Maybe you all should try using it if you want to see some changes.
Or you could just whine and continue working for whatever the DZ wants to pay you.
And what exactly is social media doing to change anything?
You can try to start a professional organization (UNION) and fight for those higher wages you think you deserve. Add in some insurance for your gear, maybe a little health care and a 401k. Soon it's going to cost $1000 for an AFF level 1. Now you will have nobody coming to jump because it's a total rip off.
Being an instructor for most is a 2nd job typically used to cover the cost of jumping. If you decide to be a full time instructor and not work a real job that is on you. That doesn't mean you get all the benfits of a normal job.
And what exactly is social media doing to change anything?
You can try to start a professional organization (UNION) and fight for those higher wages you think you deserve. Add in some insurance for your gear, maybe a little health care and a 401k. Soon it's going to cost $1000 for an AFF level 1. Now you will have nobody coming to jump because it's a total rip off.
Being an instructor for most is a 2nd job typically used to cover the cost of jumping. If you decide to be a full time instructor and not work a real job that is on you. That doesn't mean you get all the benfits of a normal job.
Hi
I ont do social media: tweet, facebook, cell phone etc but from watching international news scoial media was given some of the credit for starting some of the political changes in the middle east, egypt. Like egypt.
I'm guessing social media could be used by the DZ worker bee's to discuss their concerns on a national or international level.
I don't know what you mean by a total ripoff, learning to jump will definatly be more expensive, but you get what you pay for.FWIW I was a fun jumper.
What do you consider a "normal job". Working on wall street, makeing the big bucks even if your pruduct is if a failur. Digging a dtch,, AMA Dr,, a stay at home mom,
Sorry but the only thing I hear you saying is "I want more money, I want more money". If you want more money start hucking tandems or get a real job. One that provides you with possible retirement benefits and health care. Keep raising the price of AFF and soon enough people will stop coming.
how much is AFF lvl 1 usually like 200 bucks? Well that is 3 slots for 75 dollars. Gear rental for 25 dollars, that leaves 100 dollars. 40 dollars each instructor and that leaves 20 dollars for the dropzone.
Levels with 1 instructor should reflect a 65 dollar drop in price (slot of instructor + instructor pay).
seems fair to me...isnt that how most dropzones work it out?
If you want more money start hucking tandems or get a real job. One that provides you with possible retirement benefits and health care. Keep raising the price of AFF and soon enough people will stop coming.
I think you're confused, or intentionally posting unrelated topics.
There's a big difference between upping the per-jump pay of your instructors by a couple bucks, and offering a pension and health care. I agree that being a skydiving instructor is never going to be a 'real' job in that you can make a career out of it, feed your family, send your kids to college and retire, but that doesn't mean that the pay should stagnate for decades.
The work hasn't gotten any easier, but the pay is the same as is was 15 years ago. Living expenses, gear and rigging, and gas to drive to the DZ all cost more, and jumpers are still limited as to how many jumps they can make per day, so I don't think that a 'cost of living' increase is out of the question.
Maybe base it on seniority, once a guy has been working there for 2 or 3 seasons, bump them up a notch in pay. Once they hit 5 or 6 years, bump them again. Sure, it's costs more to send the senior staffers up on a jump, but those same people have been helping the DZ make money for years, and probably spending money there for longer.
Again, it's a long way from a pension and health care. Kicking in another $3 to $5 a jump for some of your dedicated employees isn't asking much.
(This post was edited by davelepka on Nov 6, 2012, 9:14 AM)
how much is AFF lvl 1 usually like 200 bucks? Well that is 3 slots for 75 dollars. Gear rental for 25 dollars, that leaves 100 dollars. 40 dollars each instructor and that leaves 20 dollars for the dropzone.
Levels with 1 instructor should reflect a 65 dollar drop in price (slot of instructor + instructor pay).
seems fair to me...isnt that how most dropzones work it out?
I like your idea of the more seasoned instructors getting more pay. That makes sense. If you really want to make money skydiving the way to do it is video and tandems. I know instructors/video people that make well over $1000 a weekend. Granted this isn't every weekend due to weather and other factors but still that's good money for a weekend worth of work.
Kicking in a reasonable raise isn't a bad thing, i just get the impression from whats his face that he feels he is entitled to more than that.
Great ideas but this is the wrong way to go. Leave the DZOs to run their bussinesses how they see fit. Leave the instructors to work where ever they see fit. A good DZO will take care of his/her staff, which doesnt always mean more money. If they dont, the staff is free to depart for greener pastures. This is what happenned to Detroit. The labor now costs more than the cars they produce.
I would vehemently oppose a labor union in any form. It would be the death of any DZ whose staff was short sighted and selfish enough to join a union. Other than lower insurance premiums, I see no reason for a union to exist and that can be done through other means. USPA has been wise to stay away from this issue.
Maybe you all should try using it if you want to see some changes.
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