robblack31

There is an angry large raptor (I forget what kind) that nests very near the landing area of Skydance Skydiving in Davis, CA. The stupid bird put a tear in the top of my sport canopy and send at least one jumper to the hospital after he attacked the jumper after the jumper had landed. We sometimes change our patter just to avoid flying near the nest. On a more positive note, I paraglide 3 to 4 times per week and frequently fly with a variety of hawks and sea birds that seem to enjoy flying with us.

Most people I take are able to lift their legs just fine. For the ones that cannot, like really old people, I just lift their legs with my legs. I'm not tall and its still really easy to do. I don't know why more instructors don't just do the same thing.

well said, I could not agree more.

On some level, I agree with you. However, those landing off have already proven that they cannot navigate very well. I don't think it is a good idea to give them financial motivation to make it back to the DZ when they find themselves long under a good canopy. Its better that they land off safely than try to make it back to the no fine zone and get hurt in the process. Sadly, there are people out there who might put themselves in real danger because of a $50 fine. I do hope it all works out for the West Coast Wingsuit crowd, they have developed a fun and safe flying group over a lot of years.

Yes, they rule! A long time ago I bought a used audible from another skydiver. Shortly after, it stopped working. I sent it to L and B with a letter explaining that I got it used and had no proof of purchase. I had asked for repair and a bill. They sent me a brand new updated audible for free (including shipping!)!!! Unbelievable!

That is kind of harsh to call people French.

Yep, I totally agree. I am curious to know if there are any DZ's out there that promote tipping in some way. I am not for it or against it, just curious to know what other DZ's do.

I pretty much agree with all your thoughts. I am lucky to be in a position where I do not need to do tandems. I have the luxury of doing them for fun and extra cash. But what about the full time guys? They work their asses off and get underpaid. I don't think it would be a big deal if the general public knew that it is ok to tip those guys if they do a good job. People tip a guy who picks up their bag at the airport but they don't tip a guy who lands them safely?

I do tip the FA on a flight if I get alcohol. I would never tip the carney because I am too scared to get on those rides. In general, I think tipping is sort of weird and ridiculous. Everyone should just get paid more and the whole tipping thing would not need to exist. For example, good servers at a restaurant should get paid well for helping to bring in return business. Bad servers should be let go. The same could be true for TI's. When its all said and done I know the pay rate and could choose to work or not work. I choose to work. However, I do believe that a lot of TI's would go out of their way to be more friendly if they knew that a tip depended on it. I am not saying that this a good thing, but it is the truth.

I love the gripper idea! Wish we had those for our out of shape students. I end up just pushing their legs up with mine but this is not ideal.

I am curious to know how you get tips. I engage all my students and provide first class customer service. However, I rarely get a tip. Maybe 1 in every 10 to 15 tandems. My DZ forbids any sort of polite signs about tips and nobody ever mentions tips to the students. Here is my theory. A students pays roughly $200 for a tandem. They probably think that an instructor would get at least $50 of that. (If any of you are getting $50 per tandem, I envy you) The student thinks "Wow, these guys must make $500 or more a day, no need to tip these rich guys with dream jobs." Personally, I tip everybody that is in a service industry and so it is kind of frustrating that the generosity is not returned. I don't work for tips, I just do a good job because it is the right thing to do. But I won't lie, tips would be nice.

Simple answer - NO!

Ovie is 15 minutes away from golfing for the rest of the Summer.

The helmet and camera setup was undamaged, that is freaking amazing!

I will be using my regular skydiving rig. It was probably bad form to ask if JP had used a BASE rig, I didn't really think about the regulations before I asked that question. I am still curious as to where this has been done before.