AlexK

That's from Point Break (1991). The phrase is much older than that.

When I talk to whuffos, I invariably get the response "Why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" I know there are some snappy comebacks to this, but it has always struck me as odd that everyone uses this exact same phrase. It is almost like they are reading from a script. It is never "a good airplane" or "an airplane that is not about to crash" or "an airplane that is just fine" This got me to wondering where this cultural meme came from, as a response to skydiving. I don't remember ever seeing it on TV, which would normally account for this kind of common response. Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks for all the replies. I went out to the local Dz (Skydive Temple), and it is an awesome DZ. It even has an air-conditioned packing area! I'm too old (40) to be spending too much time packing in that Texas heat.

I expect there is a natural break for a lot of people in skydiving. I remember at the DZ I was at, there were a lot of people in ther 20's and then people in their 40's/50's, but not too many in-between. It is harder to have time for skydiving when you have really young kids. Even now, I think I am only going to be able to squeak out the minimum amount of time to be current and safe. On the positve side, I remember being jealous of the old fogeys who could afford to order custom gear. Now I am one of those guys.

I did all my jumps about 18 years ago, at Aggies over Texas. I got married, joined to AF, moved all over the country, etc. etc. Now, my kids are older (11 and 13), I am settled down, and starting to feel the pull of skydiving again. As an added bonus, I can actually afford decent equipment now. I know there have been a lot of changes in the sport. Canopies have gotten smaller, AADs are common, and many more that I don't know about. I am hoping someone here has gone through a similar experience, and can give me some pointers, or lessons learned. What is the best way to get current again? What are the risks/problems I need to watch out for? Thanks a bunch.