Vitrower31

Thank you for all of your guidance and wisdom!! I think there is something to learn from each of your posts, and am lucky to have such a variety of viewpoints to help me make an informed decision :) I will most certainly be out at the DZ soon with an open mind and positive attitude to make my level 2 jump. I think I will ask manifest if one of the instructors I connected with most is there and available. I feel that if I am comfortable with my instructor it will help to ease some of the jitters, and make for a more enjoyable experience with a positive out come :) It’s not that I dislike the other instructor as a person; I really don’t know them on that level. After reading all of your responses I have come to the conclusion that the teaching style used by the instructor and my learning style clash, however the learning style of other students may harmonize with the instructor's teaching style. We are all unique in our own ways… and have different needs. After all variety is the spice of life 

I guess my main concern is this is a fairly small DZ and I don't want to "step on toes", and start off on the wrong foot with the crowd there. I've already pre-paid the whole AFF program (no refunds), so opting for another DZ is not an option until after I have my license. I will request another instructor for my next visit, and hopefully there are some available:) Thanks for the advice!

I recently started skydiving, and am completely addicted! I have had the most wonderful experiences in my life in the short time I have been exposed. I've started my AFF training at a local drop zone, and had all positive experiences until last weekend. I took time away after level 2 for financial reasons, and was finally able to get back this past weekend. I went through recertification; everything was fine (the instructor that did my re-cert was great!). There was a small group of students. The instructor (assigned to our jump) was lively, and quite rude. Never letting me finish any of my sentences, or questions. Even though I wasn't saying even a word I was constantly told that I needed to relax. Honestly, I feel like a relaxed individual would not interrupt students asking questions. I never completely went through my dive flow (we only practiced level 1) before the instructor said ok go find something to do, because it's going to be a while. I had been reading the SIM (lot of very helpful information in there! Well for me anyway.). I felt way too intimidated by my instructor to ask anymore questions, but I did find another instructor who took time to go over a lot of helpful info with me. I talked to a few people I knew in the training program. I asked if they had worked with the instructor I was paired with, and they had, and they really liked the instructor. At this point I felt I was probably taking everything out of context and the best route was to brush off the situation. I decided (after 3hrs of waiting) to ask the instructor some questions, try to gain knowledge, and use down time wisely. I asked the instructor to go over some items with me. Perhaps go over some items on my card. I was told that I am trying to go to fast... I need to relax, and I don't need to know that yet. Skydiving is meant to be learned over time and not rushed. I asked if there was anything we could go over to prepare me better for my next dive. I got no... Why are you trying to go so fast? People in skydiving are A-type personalities. Then the instructor offered some paperwork on the DZ, and pretty much shooed me away. I felt really uneasy about my next dive. The instructor hadn't even taken the time to go through my dive flow with me yet. It seemed as if I were a nuisance. I felt disrespected, and very uneasy about jumping... especially with this instructor. I ended up leaving the DZ, told manifest "something came up". I don't want to complain about the instructor to the DZ, but I don't want to be placed with that instructor again. I don't think belittling people and telling them that they shouldn't be learning about what they are about to do (especially in a sport like skydiving). Any advice for my next trip to the DZ. Is there a nonchalant way to request I don't get placed with the instructor? I felt so awkward... I was told that I don't know anything yet, and I don't know how to have fun on a skydive yet, and I am trying to rush everything way to fast. I had my SIM with me to read and learn (while on my 3hr wait) and was told... "Ugh you look so studious." The worst part about this was that there were other students and skydivers around, and they could definitely hear. I was pretty embarrassed.