flycoop 0 #1 September 11, 2013 Hi all, hoping you can help me out. I've been on a tandem jump twice in the last month. I'm going to get my A-license next year hopefully. There's 2 choices I have for schools...First one is CSC ( Chicagoland skydiving center ) and the other is Skydive Chicago. CSC is an hour away from me and SDC is about an hour and a half away. I've heard that SDC is better training because they do AFP training and CSC does AFF. Should I go to the dropzone that is closer to my home where I'll most likely jump at when I am licensed or go to SCD because of there AFP program? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #2 September 11, 2013 They are both well-known and reputable dropzones. I'm sure you will get good training either way. My advice is to travel to each place and hang out on a Saturday to see which one suits you better.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhatIsAUsername 0 #3 September 13, 2013 Agreed. Spend a full day at each one. Announce your intentions on arrival with manifest or the DZO.. Locate the AFF instructors. Monitor them. Don't make your choice based on discussion. Identify them and monitor from a distance. Take note of how they interact with others, coworkers included, trainees especially. Look for patience, one that expects you to know everything and gets short when you might make a "common sense" mistake, can be stressful in this scenario. Ask each instructor who is the 'best' on the DZ. Don't accept 'me' as an answer. Ask who has the most experience with a trainee (a jump number is irrelevant here). Don't accept 'me' as an answer. Ask what, if anything, is included in AFF. Everything from a 'free' logbook to 30 minutes in the tunnel will vary with DZ's. Pay attention to what they're NOT telling you as opposed to what they ARE telling you. Instructors are independent contractors most of the time. Look at it similar to a city block with 15 gas stations on it they respect each other because they sell gas but when it comes down to getting 'customers' they're as 'vicious' as they come. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flycoop 0 #4 September 13, 2013 Great advice. I'll go this weekend to check one out. Thank You. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
