I totally agree with you. I do not have that many jumps myself, but the drop zone I frequent (and I use that term loosely) is quickly become less and less interested in treating their newer students with any kind of respect. Any time I ask a question, I am looked at like the dumbest creature on earth. The DZO is the worst, full of negativity and smarta$$ comments. A lot of the instructors are cool to you for your first couple of jumps, but after the 'new' wears off, you are mostly ignored. I am actually considering leaving the sport simply because I do not feel welcomed in it. I dearly want to learn, and I want to be good at it, but I'm definitely not going to continue to pay someone to treat me like dirt. If I had wanted that, I'd have stayed married. Great article, Gary. Hopefully some DZO will read it and realize what their poor attitudes towards students will cost them.
