Thanatos340 1 #1 March 3, 2004 Just curious what most people consider to be the most important factor in choosing a Home DZ? I am sure that most would take all these factors into consideration, but which one would be the one that is most important to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #2 March 3, 2004 the general attitude for me...scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #3 March 3, 2004 Combination of most / all of the above really____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BETO74 0 #4 March 3, 2004 For me DZ attitude vibes and then fastes plane, how far a really don't care as long as I feel at homehttp://web.mac.com/ac057a/iWeb/AC057A/H0M3.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #5 March 3, 2004 All of the above and allso not being so much of a "tandem factory" that you sit around all day watching tandems jump rather than actually jumping yourself! There are a lot of "tandem factories" here in the UK... Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #6 March 3, 2004 Quality of airplane maintenance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pendragon 1 #7 March 3, 2004 I'm still jumping at the DZ where I did my AFF last summer. Actually, I spend quite a while just checking it out before even embarking on the course, just checking whether I would feel comfortable and could trust the people there. Maybe that's the reason - and people just stick with the place where they started? (provided it's local, of course!) It's still true, so whilst I may moan about the ticket prices, etc etc (we're far too close to Heathrow, Gatwick; SE England = Expensive ), it's still my DZ. -- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WILDBILLAQR 0 #8 March 3, 2004 Attitude 1st. The rest completes the package.---------------------------------------------- "Thats not smoke, thats BUCKEYE!!" AQR#3,CWR#49 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bsoder 0 #9 March 3, 2004 attitude and people, by far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #10 March 3, 2004 Biggest/Fastest Jump Plane 2dz's-3 Otters Jump Ticket Prices $18-13000+ $18-14000+ Number of jumpers in your discipline #of quality jumpers Closest DZ 30min/50min Safety and Training programs n/a Best Coaches and/or Organizers -/many Good Landing Area with lots of Outs ok/great After Hours Party’s / Nightlife I have a life DZ Attitude in General good/good I go where my friends Jump a few/ many Only one choice in the area 2 Other?? Aircraft maintenance good/good I go where we will have the most successful fulfilling jumps! And the best organizers. Big ways! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygirl1 1 #11 March 3, 2004 completely agree..........ATTITUDE!!!you also need to have fun.......that is what skydiving is about........ skygirl1" Mean people SUCK!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rdy2skydive 0 #12 March 3, 2004 When I decided to make my first skydive I e-mailed each NJ dropzone looking for information. About 45 minutes later the owner of my now home DZ called me at work and spent almost an hour talking to me about skydiving. He patiently answered all of my whuffo questions and didn't rush to get me off the phone. I had a great gut feeling about this place and I was right. It's all about the general atmosphere and the vibe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdgregory 0 #13 March 4, 2004 Impossible to vote this one because there it is a serious mixture of a few. Also there are other issues like how my family is treated by the people there. IF my family feels welcome and the DZ is safety conscious, and the attitude towards new flyers is one of a desire to help, and the coaches and staff really know their stuff, then the DZ is great. They coould be the safest ever and yet be terrible everywhere else and I would not jump there, or they could be great in everything but safety and I would not jump there. It is a mixture of the list you gave that is important to me. No single thing sticks out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 232 #14 March 4, 2004 I chose "after hours" because I don't think many of the other things distinguish the average dropzone by much. For example, if the "general attitude" is unsafe or if everyone is a jerk then it's not average. So, I choose based on the fun I have while not jumping. That's what makes the difference to me as to whether or not I'll make the trip if the weather is questionable."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pccoder 0 #15 March 4, 2004 I wanted to select safety, but the attitude at my DZ is safety. So, I selected attitude. The rest just fits. PcCoder.net Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #16 March 4, 2004 You forgot to add exit altitude . A lot of DZs don't have turbines and can gain only about 9000 feet, which really sux if you're a freeflyer. "George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #17 March 4, 2004 Personally, I voted attitude in general. That is sooooo important... I don't want to jump with a bunch of A-holes. BUT.... there also HAS to be a lot of good freeflyers and a fast plane for us. That is why I looooooooooove Skydive Tecumseh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StearmanR985 0 #19 March 4, 2004 I AM SPOILED ROTTEN!! I chose other, my DZ has cheap tickets, both big and fast planes, is only 8 miles from my door step, there are plenty of people to jump with and with regards to loads, the DZO likes to turn 'em and burn 'em baby! Okay, I'll STFU now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 135 #20 March 4, 2004 QuoteQuality of airplane maintenance. there is a closer and cheaper DZ from where I live, but I don't want to fly on their planes... I just want to do 1 jump there for the scenery, but the day they get a new plane.scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfanie 0 #21 March 4, 2004 I agree with everyone else that there are several factors....DZ attitude, where my friends jump, nice plane, etc. but one of our motivating factors wasn't listed (probably because we are the exception, not the rule)... we go where it's most kid-friendly. At our DZ they have a kids play area - there's usually someone available to watch them while we jump - they can fly kites and ride bikes outside - it is clean (as far as it's a PG dropzone, not an R dropzone, if you know what I mean)... The one thing that has kept us from jumping at the nearby DZ's is the kid-factor. (although we're thinking about jumping Buckeye in just a couple of weeks...I want to get #100 down in Coolidge first, and that should happen - if the weather holds up - next weekend) So for me...a BIGGIE is "family friendly"... -------------------------------------------- Elfanie My Skydiving Page Fly Safe - Soft Landings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottjaco 0 #22 March 9, 2004 I am happy to see that most people voted "DZ attitude" as the most important factor in chosing a dropzone. I am realizing that customer service really is important to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #23 March 10, 2004 Definitely DZ attitude in general. Case in point: Skydive New Mexico. I was there in 2000 when they were at Coronado Airport and using a Cessna 207. Club operation, slow pace. Small aircraft. Great people, awesome vibe. People are there because they LOVE to skydive. Some pretty interesting characters too. I would definitely go back again.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougjumper 0 #24 March 11, 2004 DZ Attitude. Safety conscience staff, No Hot doggers cutting people off on final..hate that shit... Good safe up to date aircraft. Also good landing area for all disciplines.. A DZ that welcomes everyone and just doesnt cater to Tandems only. Honest Folk who care about all Jumpers alike.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgm458 0 #25 March 11, 2004 QuoteA DZ that welcomes everyone and just doesnt cater to Tandems only. Along the same lines, a DZ that isn't a student factory is a good thing. I'm still a student myself and have already seen how this plays a roll. Experienced jumpers getting packed with a load of students so they end of going solo from 10K because all of the others hopped and popped @ 3500. Not my bag. This many students causes the JM's to not be able to keep up. You lose the one on one attention for those who really want to learn. dgm-------------------------------------------------- Failure to prepare is preparing to fail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
