I think Netheravon gets a bit of a raw deal. Hence the cons are similar to the pros. To start it is a protected world war 2 building with dreadful toilets, scaffolding everywhere and occasioanl ponds where the roof is leaking. (Hopefully by the Summer 2009 the centre will have moved to a newer hanger with better facilities so watch this space) New members probably feel they are put through lots of red tape, have to fill out a million forms etc. but please get through it and move on, once it is done it is done. Emtering the camp is not easy but once you have done it the first time it gets easier. The staff take the safety of everyone on the DZ very seriously. Hence all the paper work, the need to ensure rigs, students and jumpers are safe before they can even exit a plane. It isn't because they are military 'dads army' or any of that 'civi' 'bull' that people who have never been exposed to the military presume it is (and I am a civi)it is them following the rules. -why shouldn't they-it is there ratings on the line. As for the clicque that everyone talks about, yes there are some really tight knit, great groups of friends - we are family. They/we have known each other years or formed friendships - just like anywhere you find groups of people who form smaller groups. Frankly if newcomers make an efforts to join in I have never witnessed anyone trying to stop them, in fact I am certain that you would end up knowing their enture skydiving history, how they got into the sport, and be whisked off for a curry before you even realised it. However if people turn up and stand on their own in the middle of the dz and make no effort to speak to others well the way we see it is if someone wishes to keep themselves to themselves well we respect that. If you are joining the DZ please spend a couple of weeks getting to know us, say hello, ask to jump with us and I can assure you you will become part of the family. Go to manifest ask them to put a call out inviting people to join you. I think some of the comments here are valid, but I also wonder how many DZ's have bad and good days? How many DZ's have Skygods that think they are above it all. I suspect all DZ's. All I can advise is that if someone has a problem with the way they are treated, they should just tell the DZ. After all if there are some staff members that are upsetting punters they should not be working there. If someone has a problem with the attitude of an instructor or is not being looked after as a student please speak up. How can the DZ deal with these issues if they do not know about them. It is supposed to be fun. Don't stew about small issues for years (as a couple of people here quite clearly have) and blurt it out on this website when you have not even been there for months. The DZ has changed, there are people there that really care about the sport and the people in it. Oh and the DZ hosts some of the best parties...
