After what seemed like FOREVER, our names appeared on the white board. We were going up on load 21. My jumper man was Paul T and my video guy was Dennis.

  • STEP SEVEN – Meet the jumper man!  To get technical, you should call him the jump master or the TI (Tandem Instructor). 

It wasn't long before the jump masters found us. Kim’s instructor, Ostrich, approached her first. Then, my guy found me.  “Are you Sarah?”  I turned to look at him. Damn...he was wearing sunglasses.  On the plus side, there was no purple hair – no hair at all - that works.  He was clean cut and looked a little serious...like a military guy.  So far so good, but I still wondered.  Are there blue eyes hiding behind those glasses?  Kim knew exactly what I was thinking and she just blurted out  “Do you have blue eyes?  She only wants to jump with you if you have blue eyes.” 

Her instructor piped up, “Is that an Aryan thing?” I was so embarrassed my cheeks went pink.  I’m completely not like that at all.   “God no, it’s a blue eyes makes me feel safe thing.  My dad has blue eyes.”  My instructor removed his sunglasses to reveal his blue eyes.  Sigh of relief, but I felt RIDICULOUS!

  • STEP EIGHT – Suit up for the jump! You'll need a jumpsuit, goggles, a helmet & an altimeter. 

Paul picked out a purple jumpsuit for me and told me to put it on.  The jumpsuit wasn’t particularly comfortable because it went over my street clothes.  It fit like a glove.  I immediately wondered how Diana Rigg (Mrs. Emma Peel) survived all those skin tight cat suits that she had to wear for the Avengers. We picked out a helmet and goggles.  Then, it was time for the harness. This part was just a little strange. 

Here’s this guy you just met putting kneeling down in front of you adjusting straps around your thighs.  After he gets the bottom part just right, he moves on to the chest strap.  Don’t get any kinky ides...these guys are professionals...they do this a bunch of times each day!   

  • STEP NINE – Meet the Video Guy. This only applies if you are getting video.  Of course, you are smart enough to realize that video is a very important part of this process.  If you only plan to skydive once, you are going to want a video! Dennis stopped by for the pre-skydive interview.  
  • STEP TEN – Get on the Plane!

Once we were geared up, things moved quickly.  We were on the plane in a matter of twenty minutes.  Inside the Otter, there are two long benches (like silver bleachers).  We entered the plane and made our way to the back.  It’s amazing how crammed in we were.  I was trying hard not to have a panic attack.  I had a parachute pressed against my chest and this guy I just met pressed against my back.  Mentally, this was probably the hardest part for me.  I don’t think it would have been physically possible to get another person on the plane.

Just when I felt like I couldn't take it anymore, clean crisp air filled the plane.  I looked up to the front of the plane and could see the open door.  Since I was near the back of the plane, I didn't have a very good view out the door, but I welcomed the fresh air and tried to relax by focusing on breathing. My video guy came back to interview me again.  It was awkward!  I didn't know what to say.  Being interviewed was a good distraction, I didn't even notice when they closed the door. However, when they reopened it at 13,500 feet, I felt a rush of cold air fill the plane. It was exhilarating.  I was getting excited. Before I knew what was going on, I saw some jumpers leave the plane.  Wow!  It happened so quickly!  They made their way to the door and then...they were gone – just like that.  Only a minute had past and the plane was nearly empty. It was our turn to get into position. 

Paul instructed me to stand up and walk toward the door.  Easier said than done.  It’s incredibly awkward to try to walk with some guy attached to your back - we were connected at the hips and the shoulders.  I couldn't stand up straight.  I was hunched over a little and my knees were slightly bent.  As I waddled toward the door, I saw Kim and her instructor leave the plane.  My video guy was hanging onto the exterior of the plane waiting to jump with us.  I was next!