Why Do People Ask: “Why Jump out of a Perfectly Good Airplane?”

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You've probably heard the phrase, "why jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" It dates back to the movie Point Break, and has since become a mainstay in the skydiving industry. It's also an unofficial slogan for CSC. If you're not familiar with the phrase, it's time you came and spent some time hanging out with us. It turns out that there are all kinds of great reasons to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, and have an adventure you'll remember for a lifetime.

When you're thinking of having an experience you've never had before, or you want to do something that will create lasting memories, the idea of jumping from an airplane might come to mind -- and with good reason! Here's what you need to know about why people keep asking the famous airplane question, what it means, and why you should schedule your skydiving jump today.

It's a Famous Joke

The biggest part of the joke is that it's an exaggeration of why someone would choose to skydive. After all, at that point they're deliberately choosing to jump from a "perfectly good airplane." If the plane is in good shape and running well, why jump out of it? Why not just let it carry you to your destination? Of course, that's not what skydiving is for. When you skydive, jumping out of the airplane is the destination -- and the whole point of the experience. It's all about the jump, and not about the flight.

That's the entire comedy backbone of the expression, and the most common understanding of the phrase in most people's minds. That perfectly good airplane isn't something a person would think about jumping from, because most people would only consider jumping when the plane isn't safe to stay in. But it's completely different with skydiving, since the goal is to make sure you can jump from the plane and enjoy the experience of the fall, the parachute, and the landing, rather than being in the plane itself.

It's Counterintuitive

Not only is the question funny, but it's also a fair question. After all, why would someone jump out of an airplane at 14,000 feet, anyway? It seems like something a lot of people would prefer to avoid, really. But for those who want to jump, the excitement and the rush of it all are the main reasons why. There's something unique about jumping from an airplane, and it can really put all the other things in life into perspective. Everything feels different after making that kind of jump, and it can affect someone forever.

It's not always easy to explain exactly what a skydive means to a particular person, and it can be a bit different for everyone. For some people, it's an event that's truly life-changing. Some previous jumpers have said that their home lives, work, and problems seem a lot smaller after they land from their jump. Skydiving is counterintuitive to the idea of self-preservation, but it's also extremely safe. That can help a person gain a new perspective on life, and leave a lasting and positive influence on them, going forward.

Sometimes, issues in life seem big and overwhelming. Those issues aren't going to be solved by skydiving, but you might not see them the same way once you're back on the ground. It can change how you see the world, yourself, and the concerns you're facing, simply because of the way jumping out of a plane from thousands of feet in the air can feel. Want to challenge yourself, or see something from a fresh perspective? Jumping from an airplane can be one of the most unique ways you'll ever do that.

It Gives a Sense of Community

One of the most important reasons to jump out of a perfectly good airplane is for the sense of community you'll get. The skydiving community is a tight-knit group of people, and they often become close friends. Many of them remain friends with other community members for the rest of their lives. Phrases like "jumping out of a perfectly good airplane," among others, help to contribute to that sense of community. People want to feel like they belong, and the skydiving community can play a big role in that feeling.

In the world of skydiving, everyone has experienced a thrill that some people will consider too extreme to try. That has a tendency to bring people together across income levels, generation gaps, geography, and more. In other words, experiences and phrases in the skydiving community are what make that community the wonderful group that it is. People come from near and far to skydive, and as they do that they get to know others who are doing the same. The shared experience can create a very strong, lasting bond.

For many people, the level of community they feel when they link up with others who skydive is one of the biggest reasons to get, and stay, involved with the sport. The excitement is definitely a factor, as well, but there are lots of ways to do something thrilling. When you couple the thrill with the togetherness, though, that's where skydiving really becomes the highly valuable experience that it is for so many people. The development of lifelong friendships is something you really can't find with many other experiences.

Join the Skydiving Community, by Jumping Out of a Perfectly Good Airplane

Ready to see what it's like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? We're here to help with that! Whether you want to have a unique experience for a special event, you've just always wanted to skydive, or you're thinking about it for some other reason, where you jump and the people you work with can make a difference. You can learn all you need to know about skydiving from us at CSC, and schedule your jump today. We have a perfectly good airplane just waiting for you!'

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Doug

Doug

Douglas Smith is CEO/President, and Guest Relations Associate at Chicagoland Skydiving Center. He has owned and operated the business since 2000. He has been skydiving since 1994, and in addition to leading the CSC Team, is currently an instructor, videographer and pilot for CSC.

Topics: Tandem