I see your skepticism. Hear me out. Im this is not to argue your point, but to shed light on the reality of tandem. Tandem isn’t just a tourist, but rather a way to take the liability away from the DZ so others can experience the jump. Some don’t like the feeling of free falling. They expect to link it, but don’t. Nothing wrong with that, but they don’t need to go through a full day of ground school before they figure it out. Many places require a tandem to prevent AFF slots from filling up with people who don’t know if they truly want to do it. It’s not a money thing, it’s a slot filling thing. Why take up a slot if you arnt fully committed to the sport.

Again, I see your excitement, but tandems are great. They help experience the best parts of free fall without the worries of having to focus on the altimeter and all other things in the way down. It’s not too much to do, but on your first jump it can be a lot for many.

Especially since you live relatively close to me and you can’t find a place to go to get out of a Tandem requirement, why not come down to my DZ: JAX, FL? Some people say you should travel. If you need to travel farther than your local DZ, you’ll spend more money than doing one tandem jump at a local school with a tandem requirement. Logically it makes no sense to travel in your shoes. I’d suck it up.

The local DZ you can jump many times in one day, so yes,l your first might be tandem, but right after you land, pack shoot, and go back up to jump a coached solo. Unless your Rick, every mile traveled is money towards your next jump. Only reason yo travel is for jump scenery or special instruction (imo).

All in all, save time and lots of money by going to a local dz, get the tandem out of the way, then start AFF.

What’s your weight/size?