[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First time Tandom jumpers (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/25/2013 10:41:06 PM EDT
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My brother and his wife gave me a jump out of Monterey California and my friend and I went and did it.
It was 18,000 feet overlooking Pebble Beach, the ocean and well just high as fuck. We took off on a twin engine plane with a roll up door. Inside was a long steel bench where everyone was squished together ready for a rapid exit. When I got to the door and looked down, a view which I have never seen, my heart almost stopped. The guy on my back pushed me out of the door while hooked to him, so I'm now hanging out of the plane wind rushing by. Looking down, the ground so far away. We jump. I've never felt anything like it. The view, the wind, the falling, I can't explain how great that feeling was. The hard part was exiting the plane, next was bliss. The falling towards the planet. FPV in reality. When the chute opened I assumed it would be a big jerk. But, it wasn't. They pack it for a three stage opening and when it opens, it's quite smooth. The instructor let me control the chute and I was surprised how hard you have to pull to make a turn. Any of you have similar experiences? I know some Mil Para guys will come in and call me a pussy but that's ok. I never thought I would jump out of a plane. If any of you have ever thought about doing that, do it, at least once. I probably won't do it again but the experience is golden. |
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I live in Monterey. I went skydiving out of Lodi a while back. Same experience - Guy I was strapped to kept nudging me further and further out the door until just my heels were on the edge of the door.
I'd love to skydive out of Monterey. Must have been an awesome view. |
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I live in Monterey. I went skydiving out of Lodi a while back. Same experience - Guy I was strapped to kept nudging me further and further out the door until just my heels were on the edge of the door. I'd love to skydive out of Monterey. Must have been an awesome view. Why would you go all the way to Lodi when you have it right in your backyard? Lodi is way north. |
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Biggest adrenaline rush I've ever felt. When my buddies and i went the plane was tiny so we jumped 2 at a time. My buddy went first and when that door opened up it was complete fear on his face. Wish I had a pic of that moment. I was dying laughing til it was my turn. Only shitty part was once the shoot opened and we were gliding down my ears wouldn't pop and they were killing me. At that point I just wanted to be on the ground.
Was going to take the class so get my license to jump alone but at $3500 I decided to save that money to put towards buying a house instead. |
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Why would you go all the way to Lodi when you have it right in your backyard? Lodi is way north. Quoted:
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I live in Monterey. I went skydiving out of Lodi a while back. Same experience - Guy I was strapped to kept nudging me further and further out the door until just my heels were on the edge of the door. I'd love to skydive out of Monterey. Must have been an awesome view. Why would you go all the way to Lodi when you have it right in your backyard? Lodi is way north. I was in Sacramento for the weekend and we decided to go on a whim. |
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I was in Sacramento for the weekend and we decided to go on a whim. Quoted:
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I live in Monterey. I went skydiving out of Lodi a while back. Same experience - Guy I was strapped to kept nudging me further and further out the door until just my heels were on the edge of the door. I'd love to skydive out of Monterey. Must have been an awesome view. Why would you go all the way to Lodi when you have it right in your backyard? Lodi is way north. I was in Sacramento for the weekend and we decided to go on a whim. Well there is local club there if you want, I would say east of the Monterey bay, centered. |
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I've done static line jumps, but I'm trying to get an actual sky dive soon. I'm taking my lady friend.
I know on occasion when I'm hesitating on something I say "I've jumped out of planes. This is nothing." to myself as a kick in the pants. Usually it works, but sometimes I argue the merits of that position. 
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Many replies here are like my friends. Out of the blue my roommate came and said he wanted to join me.
Originally it was 15,000 feet, he wanted 18,000 feet, from what I understand it's the max the FAA allows, or it has something to do with oxygen. So we did that. I've never thought myself falling from an airplane but it happened. When that poster said it changes you, it does, but for the better, it makes life worth living again.. I never thought I would fall towards the Earth like a comet. The wind, turbulence etc. fucking awesome. If any of you are searching for an experience, that is one. I thought no problem until I got to the door. After that, Awesome. Will I do it again? probably not. but the memories are there. |
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Quoted: We all gotta go sometime. Better to burn in than to die in a bed with tubes running out of every hole, I think. Quoted: Quoted: Remember that skydiver that just died... yeah... No... never... no thanks. We all gotta go sometime. Better to burn in than to die in a bed with tubes running out of every hole, I think. If you have a family, read your life insurance policy. Most don't cover such fun activities. If you die, you leave your family nothing.
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Went last year with the fiancee. It was this little air strip in the middle of no where, I don't even think the landing was paved.
I was the second to go out, the first person was a little scared but the instructor just threw him out. It was my time to jump and I could only picture the beauty of the situation standing at the door. Then out the door and my first thought was "Holy Shit I just jumped out of plane". It was complete bliss just watching the world pass by. If I had the money I could probably do it everyday. |
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If you have a family, read your life insurance policy. Most don't cover such fun activities. If you die, you leave your family nothing. Quoted:
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Remember that skydiver that just died... yeah... No... never... no thanks. We all gotta go sometime. Better to burn in than to die in a bed with tubes running out of every hole, I think. If you have a family, read your life insurance policy. Most don't cover such fun activities. If you die, you leave your family nothing. True, but how does that make you any less dead? I know which way out I'd rather take, given a choice. |
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Quoted: trust me--you'll never look at the world in quite the same way. skydiving changes your life. welcome! |
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As someone else who is terrified of heights, abso-fucking-lutely not. Ever. It just ain't for me. Quoted:
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Even as someone who is terrified of heights, I've always wanted to go skydiving, and hopefully someday I will. Good for you, OP. As someone else who is terrified of heights, abso-fucking-lutely not. Ever. It just ain't for me. I don't to make a habit out of it (I couldn't afford to, anyway). But I want to do it at least once. |
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I don't to make a habit out of it (I couldn't afford to, anyway). But I want to do it at least once. Quoted:
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Even as someone who is terrified of heights, I've always wanted to go skydiving, and hopefully someday I will. Good for you, OP. As someone else who is terrified of heights, abso-fucking-lutely not. Ever. It just ain't for me. I don't to make a habit out of it (I couldn't afford to, anyway). But I want to do it at least once. No its like the anti-meth ads for me. Not even once
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I would like to try it at some point, but not fond of tandem. Yeah once you do it the "Non Gay" way it is TOTALLY different... Though I have never Tandem Jumped, I have done Static Line, Free Fall, Both Civil and .MIL... Life is insignificant after you take your OWN life in your OWN hands... beginners? Accelerated Free Fall is the way to go. BLUE SKIES! |
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Biggest adrenaline rush I've ever felt. When my buddies and i went the plane was tiny so we jumped 2 at a time. My buddy went first and when that door opened up it was complete fear on his face. Wish I had a pic of that moment. I was dying laughing til it was my turn. Only shitty part was once the shoot opened and we were gliding down my ears wouldn't pop and they were killing me. At that point I just wanted to be on the ground. Was going to take the class so get my license to jump alone but at $3500 I decided to save that money to put towards buying a house instead. Shit. My ears play hell with me. I'm usually okay flying, but any kind of diving is out of the question. The pain is intense and extremely distracting. I study French post-war airborne, and I kinda sorta definitely want to to do a static line jump all decked out in their kit  , but this would certainly keep me from doing that. 
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Shit. My ears play hell with me. I'm usually okay flying, but any kind of diving is out of the question. The pain is intense and extremely distracting. I study French post-war airborne, and I kinda sorta definitely want to to do a static line jump all decked out in their kit , but this would certainly keep me from doing that.Quoted:
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Biggest adrenaline rush I've ever felt. When my buddies and i went the plane was tiny so we jumped 2 at a time. My buddy went first and when that door opened up it was complete fear on his face. Wish I had a pic of that moment. I was dying laughing til it was my turn. Only shitty part was once the shoot opened and we were gliding down my ears wouldn't pop and they were killing me. At that point I just wanted to be on the ground. Was going to take the class so get my license to jump alone but at $3500 I decided to save that money to put towards buying a house instead. Shit. My ears play hell with me. I'm usually okay flying, but any kind of diving is out of the question. The pain is intense and extremely distracting. I study French post-war airborne, and I kinda sorta definitely want to to do a static line jump all decked out in their kit , but this would certainly keep me from doing that.Look at the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team... They only jump from 250', you would be fine.... 
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Shit. My ears play hell with me. I'm usually okay flying, but any kind of diving is out of the question. The pain is intense and extremely distracting. I study French post-war airborne, and I kinda sorta definitely want to to do a static line jump all decked out in their kit , but this would certainly keep me from doing that.Quoted:
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Biggest adrenaline rush I've ever felt. When my buddies and i went the plane was tiny so we jumped 2 at a time. My buddy went first and when that door opened up it was complete fear on his face. Wish I had a pic of that moment. I was dying laughing til it was my turn. Only shitty part was once the shoot opened and we were gliding down my ears wouldn't pop and they were killing me. At that point I just wanted to be on the ground. Was going to take the class so get my license to jump alone but at $3500 I decided to save that money to put towards buying a house instead. Shit. My ears play hell with me. I'm usually okay flying, but any kind of diving is out of the question. The pain is intense and extremely distracting. I study French post-war airborne, and I kinda sorta definitely want to to do a static line jump all decked out in their kit , but this would certainly keep me from doing that.For me it is hit or miss when flying. Its mostly when ascending and descending in a plane. When I jumped my ears didn't bother me at all when we were getting up to altitude which was 10k' or 13k' but descending was pretty damn painful. Its kind of kept me from wanting to do it again. Along with the $200 and something dollars it cost to jump. |
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For me it is hit or miss when flying. Its mostly when ascending and descending in a plane. When I jumped my ears didn't bother me at all when we were getting up to altitude which was 10k' or 13k' but descending was pretty damn painful. Its kind of kept me from wanting to do it again. Along with the $200 and something dollars it cost to jump. Quoted:
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Biggest adrenaline rush I've ever felt. When my buddies and i went the plane was tiny so we jumped 2 at a time. My buddy went first and when that door opened up it was complete fear on his face. Wish I had a pic of that moment. I was dying laughing til it was my turn. Only shitty part was once the shoot opened and we were gliding down my ears wouldn't pop and they were killing me. At that point I just wanted to be on the ground. Was going to take the class so get my license to jump alone but at $3500 I decided to save that money to put towards buying a house instead. Shit. My ears play hell with me. I'm usually okay flying, but any kind of diving is out of the question. The pain is intense and extremely distracting. I study French post-war airborne, and I kinda sorta definitely want to to do a static line jump all decked out in their kit , but this would certainly keep me from doing that.For me it is hit or miss when flying. Its mostly when ascending and descending in a plane. When I jumped my ears didn't bother me at all when we were getting up to altitude which was 10k' or 13k' but descending was pretty damn painful. Its kind of kept me from wanting to do it again. Along with the $200 and something dollars it cost to jump. You suffered an ear block. Because of the anatomy of your ears, descending is always worse than ascending. When climbing, the pressure in the inner ear is freely released through the Eustachian tube. When descending, the pressure in the inner ear is lower, and the higher pressure outside has a tendency to pinch the Eustachian tube closed. A few techniques to help: Never fly when congested, period. Sinus infection, lingering cold, etc. Yawning... try wiggling your jaw side to side at the same time Pinch nose closed, close mouth and swallow As a method of last resort, pinch nose closed, close mouth, blow. Note that this can possibly introduce foreign matter into your ears, resulting in an infection. I personally have never had any issues clearing my ears when flying, but scuba diving was fucking miserable. Maybe it's just my anatomy. |
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My brother and his wife gave me a jump out of Monterey California and my friend and I went and did it. It was 18,000 feet overlooking Pebble Beach, the ocean and well just high as fuck. We took off on a twin engine plane with a roll up door. Inside was a long steel bench where everyone was squished together ready for a rapid exit. When I got to the door and looked down, a view which I have never seen, my heart almost stopped. The guy on my back pushed me out of the door while hooked to him, so I'm now hanging out of the plane wind rushing by. Looking down, the ground so far away. We jump. I've never felt anything like it. The view, the wind, the falling, I can't explain how great that feeling was. The hard part was exiting the plane, next was bliss. The falling towards the planet. FPV in reality. When the chute opened I assumed it would be a big jerk. But, it wasn't. They pack it for a three stage opening and when it opens, it's quite smooth. The instructor let me control the chute and I was surprised how hard you have to pull to make a turn. Any of you have similar experiences? I know some Mil Para guys will come in and call me a pussy but that's ok. I never thought I would jump out of a plane. If any of you have ever thought about doing that, do it, at least once. I probably won't do it again but the experience is golden. PUSSY
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You're Yoda is Dick Worrall, he has a DZ in Texas... Vietnam Era SF guy... totally cool dude. Quoted:
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I've never jumped, but I will tentatively tandem jump over Veterans Day weekend... You're Yoda is Dick Worrall, he has a DZ in Texas... Vietnam Era SF guy... totally cool dude. we'll be tandem jumping with some of the Golden Knights for a veteran's benefit event, so he may very well be there... my buddy who invited me is Vietnam era MACV-SOG |
| I jumped several years ago and will never forget the experience. It was exactly as you described- full of amazing views and feelings, and surprising smoothness and quiet once the parachute opened. I remember being surprised how cold it really was at altitude on a hot Texas day when we first got out of the plane. |
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we'll be tandem jumping with some of the Golden Knights for a veteran's benefit event, so he may very well be there... my buddy who invited me is Vietnam era MACV-SOG Quoted:
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I've never jumped, but I will tentatively tandem jump over Veterans Day weekend... You're Yoda is Dick Worrall, he has a DZ in Texas... Vietnam Era SF guy... totally cool dude. we'll be tandem jumping with some of the Golden Knights for a veteran's benefit event, so he may very well be there... my buddy who invited me is Vietnam era MACV-SOG I'll ask him.... |
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I've had a question about this, and it seems like now's a good time to ask.
I'm not afraid of heights, like a phobia. I am afraid of falling if that makes sense to anyone. Riding in open canopy helicopter is fun. Standing at the edge of a tall building's roof makes me feel stiff and take baby steps. I would never, ever bungee jump. What I'm getting at is would a person who would never jump from 500 feet, be less scared jumping from 5000? For some reason, I feel like it might be easier, but there's no way to tell. |
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went for the first time tandem back in december. won't say it changed my life because i'm 40 and have already had enough mind blowing experiences that i'm fairly comfortable now in that state of shock where you walk the line between life and death. next time i'll wear a bandana or something over my mouth.... the rush of air is so strong it shoots straight to the back of the throat even through your nostrils and dries you out fast. it was cold but the cold meant nothing.
i'd like to skydive over dubai they have a great jump zone there. |
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I've had a question about this, and it seems like now's a good time to ask. I'm not afraid of heights, like a phobia. I am afraid of falling if that makes sense to anyone. Riding in open canopy helicopter is fun. Standing at the edge of a tall building's roof makes me feel stiff and take baby steps. I would never, ever bungee jump. What I'm getting at is would a person who would never jump from 500 feet, be less scared jumping from 5000? For some reason, I feel like it might be easier, but there's no way to tell. i can answer this. you don't experience a dramatic feeling of falling when you exit the plane. when you're in the plane, you're already travelling over 100 miles per hour. so when you jump it's not like you're still and then you suddenly accelerate toward the earth like you might feel on a roller coaster. if you imagine your path.. you are travelling very fast in a horizontal direction and when you jump your path begins curving downward toward the ground. so it's more of a change in direction or being in a car that's already going 100 mph and then accelerating. floating under the canopy is like riding on a ferris wheel and you approach the ground slowly enough that when you're 10 feet above the ground it feels no different that standing up on your roof. riding the desperado roller coaster in nevada was far more terrifying than free falling. |
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Did it some 15 years ago, the tandem thing. Both my GF and I wanted to try it, 'specially after watching that Point Break Skydiving Scene
It was... OK.  Really, you don't get any sensation you're falling, other than that when you open your mouth, your cheeks are blown outwards by the wind. Other than that, it's just "Yeah, there's the earth, slowly coming at me. Huh." Maybe if I did a solo, so's I could do all the flipping over and floating-in-air stuff, but otherwise, it just wasn't that big a deal. Glad I did it, wouldn't have missed it, but it was just... meh. 
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