Years ago when I was going through pilot training I had to do stall/spin training. The instructor handed me a parachute. I said no thanks, I'll ride the biggest piece to the ground. I am not going to jump out of a plane

not me. Rode is a glider once near Phoenix.

I'm not gonna jump out of a plane.

I would like to go skydiving, but I've never done it.

Keith

I've gone para sailing once. Not a huge thrill but fun. Has to be better than jumping off a roof with an umbrella.

77th Special Forces Airborn 1952 to 1953 Fort Bragg NC. 13 Jumps Smoke Bomb Hill.

No jumping here….just a pilot you know pile it here pile it there….

I've farted in my shorts....

I broke moms umbrella. Legs were sore from hitting the ground. I did it more then once.

Huey, did my first 3 jumps from one. Totally different then jumping out of a plane.
First jump was from a measly 2500 ft.
Had one rough landing. That was in a pineapple field. Looked like Freddy Krueger got ahold of me.
Packed back up and jumped out again. This time missing the pineapple field landing right on the dropzone.
Never had to use my reserve. But, glad to have it if needed.
Knees in the breeze. I miss it. Like to do it once more before i croak.
Sarge

My POS BIL jumped one time. He got off course and landed on the roof of the Denney's. It was either that, or into the powerlines which he said were coming up fast just across the street.

A few times.

I never had a bad experience, but will probably never do it again.

WS

Thanks for all your guys service. This post made me laugh. Always truth in humor. I can’t imagine what repeated jumps does to your body

Yep I sure have. Went into the Marine Corps in 58 with a guaranteed aviation slot and choose a parachute rigger/flight equip. mos. only thing was in order to graduate you had to pack your own chute and jump with it free fall. My 1st jump I had a May West but as I wasn't real big I rode it in instead of using my reserve. Was staioned at MCAS El Toro, Calif. where I jumped out of a C-47 and a H -34 chopper, and some civilian A/C. Got out and came home and did some more skydiving until I had 49 jumps all free fall. Always said when I turned 50 I was going to make my 50th but 33 years later I still am thinking about it.

I am retired now so we need to jump some 5 cell squares. Sporty!

Is it at all possible for a guy to take a course and jump alone........I'd love to try it, but not strapped to some other guy! Oh, and I'm a whopper, do they make chutes large enough to safely land a fat guy?

Yes, you can. You will have to find a jump school who does. Most of the time the weight limit is 250. There are some jump schools or places that will do 300. But, you may have to travel a ways. Not many will do over 250.
I'm like you. Would never do piggyback. Always did solo and packed our own chutes.
Parachuting is safer then driving. Anything above 10,000 feet is the best. Gives ya plenty of time to enjoy the freefall and freedom. Once under canopy. You just wished it wouldn't end. The best feeling in the world.
Sarge

Yes. Some courses are a few days. Some are class 1 day, jump the next. You will still have to jump with someone. Not piggyback, but someone there to assist you if you get into trouble. Your best bet might be to find a place that does static line. At least for your first jump. Like Sgt said though.. There's nothing like the free fall and then once your canopy opens just floating down enjoying the scenery. I know you said you don't want to do a tandem jump, but that may be the best option for a bigger person.

Even on my last jump I got the jitters just before exiting the plane.

My brother was in the Golden Knights for many years, in fact was a team leader for hundreds of jumps. One time his team was going on a jump into a baseball game and he asked if I wanted to ride in the plane. Heck ya!

So they had me in a parachute sitting against the wall of the plane; when the tailgate opened, I looked out the back when the guys started jumping and said, "Man that looks like fun!" One of the guys said "I would hate to leave a plane with the chute you're wearing"

I guess that was his way of saying DONT TRY IT BUSTER!

My wife and kids were at the game to watch them land, and they all landed on the pitcher's mound. Amazing accuracy.

You got real lucky on that one. I chopped one may west and a total malfunction . Those reserve rides were really hard landings lol. Once I started jumping ram air chutes it was like another world opened .