Actually the location wasn't the issue. The DZ is 63 miles from downtown Houston, a lot less if you're coming from the west side. As everyone knows, jumpers will drive waaaay past one dz to get to the one they prefer, and our jumpers routine did so. To set the record straight for all who care to know, we chose to close because... 1. Growth was flat, very flat - a problem the entire industry has been dealing with since summer of 2000. 2. Changes to the environment in the houston industry demanded that we invest a ton of money to stay competitive, ei. our own plane, fuel stations to buy fuel wholesale, more facility improvements, etc. Given the problem stated in item #1, the risk vs. return math simply didn't work anymore. 3. We were badly burned out on 7 day workweeks, and realized that we lived for the DZ instead of for ourselves. Our committment helped make SUSA a great place to jump, but that also meant it would lose the special atmosphere it was known for if we were no longer committed. Those who called SUSA home know that better than anyone else. SUSA was a one-of-a-kind place, thanks to the people who jumped there. I believe that's because everyone involved was more concerned about having a great (and safe) place to jump than having a big pile of money to sit on. Somebody bring me the Booze Luge and a "Wharton Wave"!!!!
