archingcat 0 #1 October 17, 2008 ok, so i have relatively low jump numbers (30ish) but have been considering a career in skydiving. the first thing that came to mind was a tandem master but I have a lot of unanswered questions. you need 500 jumps and 1 reserve ride, true? is there a set amount of time that you have to be skydiving as well? by that i mean a rule that says you must have been skydiving for 3 years or something. could I, in theory, go to a drop zone thats open 7 days a week, and do 500 skydives in 3 mouths and then become a tandem master? once i have my 500 jumps or however many are required, where do I go from there? do a take a course or test? how much will this cost me? where do i take it? are there any other requirements that I will need before becoming a tandem master? how much can I expect to earn once I have finished the entire process? I've heard that they make $50 a jump, and also that they make $80 a jump. true? at a busy dropzone, how many tandem jumps can I expect to take in a day as a TM? are tandem masters in demand? will it be difficult to find a full time job doing this? thanks for any help you can offer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taylor610 0 #2 October 17, 2008 Slow down... Learn to skydive, then worry about a career in the sport. Tandem Masters can be worked to the point of hating the sport in some situations. Take the time to enjoy some fun jumps, maybe a comp or two, how 'bout a boogie along the way. Talk to the full-time people you meet and see if it fits what you want your life-style to be. Then start thinking about the full-time side of it. Skydiving can be soooo much fum, but it can get lost in soooo much work... Best of luck and be safe! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #3 October 17, 2008 For information, requirements can be found on skydiveratings.com or uspa.org. I will however echo the previous post. Have fun in the mean time and enjoy all the sport has to offer.Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
archingcat 0 #4 October 17, 2008 i know I'm getting a head of myself, but I currently do a job that sucks and I really hate. I really enjoy skydiving and could really see it being a job that i would actually enjoy. I'm not looking to necessarily go do it right away, but I'm just doing a little research to see if some time down the road its a possibility for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #5 October 17, 2008 Become a packer ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GLIDEANGLE 1 #6 October 17, 2008 This document should be your friend: USPA Skydiver's Information Manual It can be found here: http://www.uspa.org/SIM.aspx It will not answer all of your questions on this topic, but it will address a lot of them. It is an important and useful reference for LOTS and LOTS of skydiving questions. Read it! Keep it handy!The choices we make have consequences, for us & for others! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justintime1983 0 #7 October 17, 2008 Dude your avatar is awsome wish you had a bigger picture though.I keep telling my friends skydiving will fix all your problems, Im a fibber you just let go a minute at a time. Choose what to do with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #8 October 17, 2008 LOL thanks but I'm the girl in that pic. No other pics but here's a rodeo jump I filmed though clicky ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #9 October 17, 2008 Good for you. It's great to have a planGood luck with it. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #10 October 17, 2008 You should set your sights higher than being a glorified amusement park ride operator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fmmobley 0 #11 October 17, 2008 Quote LOL thanks but I'm the girl in that pic. No other pics but here's a rodeo jump I filmed though clicky Loved that video, very cool !!... Marion Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danielcroft 2 #12 October 17, 2008 Quote You should set your sights higher than being a glorified amusement park ride operator. Learning to jump - $2000 Buying your own gear - $5000 A supportive community - priceless Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sid 1 #13 October 17, 2008 here are the Jump Shack Tandem Requirements http://www.jumpshack.com/default.asp?CategoryID=TANDEMCERT&PageID=TC_02&SortBy=INDEX - the rate of pay will vary from dz to dz. One that I work at pays between $37 - $45 depending on the weight of the student, another pays $25 - if you pack the rig you can earn between $10 - $13 extra.Pete Draper, Just because my life plan is written on the back of a Hooter's Napkin, it's still a life plan.... right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stcyrjoe 0 #14 October 17, 2008 That video is funny as hell!!!!I finally realized what I was missing in my life!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justintime1983 0 #15 October 17, 2008 Dudet (?) hope thats right. Sorry bout last time. Thought the video was awsome. Its strange the things that seam like they should be common sense (parachutist riding a bird-man,) yet I had never even considered it. Finally found a reason to be interested in wing-suits. Yes I contiously avoided making any sexual innuendos.I keep telling my friends skydiving will fix all your problems, Im a fibber you just let go a minute at a time. Choose what to do with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #16 October 17, 2008 Hate to burst your bubble, but most rodeo riders are girls for some reason Unless it's you who wants to play horsey of course ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #17 October 17, 2008 Quote here are the Jump Shack Tandem Requirements http://www.jumpshack.com/default.asp?CategoryID=TANDEMCERT&PageID=TC_02&SortBy=INDEX Quote Successful experience with a cut-away situation So, jumpers that were unsuccessful with a cut-away situation need not apply? ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justintime1983 0 #18 October 17, 2008 I am now very afraid to speak as I dont know what I am talking about. I keep telling my friends skydiving will fix all your problems, Im a fibber you just let go a minute at a time. Choose what to do with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danielcroft 2 #19 October 18, 2008 There was a thread in the instructor forum a while back talking about the USPA replacing all the manufacturer specific tandem ratings with a general TI rating. I went looking for the thread and then got distracted by some random conversation about free flying in a track (aka, atmonauti). edit: Found! /cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3140496;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ASTKU 1 #20 October 18, 2008 To answer your question, YES you need three years experience skydiving and of course the 500 jumps to get your Tandem rating.... Consider this. At 100 jumps you can become a Coach! That means you can jump with students working towards their A-license. Normally that student will pay for your jump slot. FREE JUMPS!! Also, Once you get your C-license I believe you can become an AFF Instructor. Don't think you can make as much money as Tandem Masters do but you get to fly your own canopy and supposedly people get burnt out doing tandems.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justintime1983 0 #21 October 18, 2008 QuoteOnce you get your C-license I believe you can become an AFF Instructor. Actually I would be really interested in that, but uhh from what I've been told nobody can actually pass that test for some time after their 6hrs of freefall. I may be wrong anyone have any information on the test. I know look at the SIMS, but Im a lazy shite.I keep telling my friends skydiving will fix all your problems, Im a fibber you just let go a minute at a time. Choose what to do with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #22 October 19, 2008 Quote but Im a lazy shite. That can be a career limiting factor (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllisonH 0 #23 October 19, 2008 QuoteQuoteOnce you get your C-license I believe you can become an AFF Instructor. Actually I would be really interested in that, but uhh from what I've been told nobody can actually pass that test for some time after their 6hrs of freefall. I may be wrong anyone have any information on the test. I know look at the SIMS, but Im a lazy shite. Depends on what you do with that 6 hours of freefall time. I had around 7 hours when I took the course and had no problems at all - don't think I would have had any problems at 5 or 6 (which as you mentioned is the minimum) hours either. I did have a bit of tunnel time, which helped, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justintime1983 0 #24 October 19, 2008 good to know. If I was to do it I'd rather be an AFFI anyway seams like more of a challenge. Chasing screaming flailing scared shitless students about the sky. I keep telling my friends skydiving will fix all your problems, Im a fibber you just let go a minute at a time. Choose what to do with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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