Ginnie Pass

[Kirk]

One thing I forgot to mention (if of course they still do it this way), they will back date your annual pass to the start of your tab. Thus if you start your tab on May 2, 2008, and convert your tab to an annual pass on June 15, 2008, your annual pass will expire on May 1, 2009. - Kirk

[RN]

I can't find the standards online, but there USED to be a set minimum number of sites that had to be dived at each level. You couldn't do an entire level's worth of dives at one location.

Maybe that has changed, though.

IIRC, 2 for cavern, 1 additional for intro, 1 additional for apprentice, and 1 additional for full. So 3 for intro, 4 for appr., and 5 for full.

[tomhauburn]

You pay the same for an year pass at any level. However if you take classes during that year they just upgrade the pass upon proof of the course and filling out another waver. You still have the same amount of time but at the higher level. Someone said the sale crew gets commission. They might depending on what they sold as there is a min amount and it also based on how many hours you work there. It not a lot of money as I've been in the pool a few times but these days every little bit helps with gas and food prices going up so much. Having a pass can pay for itself pretty quick if you dive at Ginnie a lot and its a whole lot quicker getting in and out of the store. I work in rental but I can and do fill out bands on people with year passes without them having to waiting in line. I had one right up to the day I started working there part time. As others have said the park system is a great bargain when the others are open but a lot of folks have passes to both. Ginnie is super nice on a cold day since they have hot showers and a store with refreshments. It is always your choice on how you spend your money. This is just my personal opinion and for the record I have had both most of the time I have been cave diving.
Tom

[inkdiver]

One thing I forgot to mention (if of course they still do it this way), they will back date your annual pass to the start of your tab. Thus if you start your tab on May 2, 2008, and convert your tab to an annual pass on June 15, 2008, your annual pass will expire on May 1, 2009. - Kirk

I just called and spoke with Rose at Ginnie to get clarification on this.

If you open a tab and dive for the week, and then decide you want an annual pass instead, they will convert to an annual pass and start the pass on the first day of diving for the week.

She only keeps tabs open for 2 weeks and then closes them out, so you can't keep a tab open for a few months and dive 6 or 8 times and then say you want a pass. She also doesn't call anyone to let them know she is closing their tab, so if you don't convert before she closes it, you are back to zero.

If you have already paid for day pass diving, you also cannot apply those days to an annual pass. It is only if you have a tab open.

[wingman]

I have had three annual passes at ginnie and the florida park pass as well for the last three years (along with 3 years of a jb annual pass)...I have managed to more than offset my dive costs relative to the per dive rates on it all (it forces you to dive a lot). My ginnie pass is currently expired but only because i was diving in california for the last month. I will be renewing on my next trip to gainesville in a few weeks...Bill

[jimdiverman]

I have had three annual passes at ginnie and the florida park pass as well for the last three years (along with 3 years of a jb annual pass)...I have managed to more than offset my dive costs relative to the per dive rates on it all (it forces you to dive a lot). My ginnie pass is currently expired but only because i was diving in california for the last month. I will be renewing on my next trip to gainesville in a few weeks...Bill

Do I get the annual pass for JB at the sheriff's office? How much is it? JB is the closest cave to me. I should be doing that instead of paying $25 a visit.

Thanks.

Jim

[SuPrBuGmAn]

$150 and you get it from the Sheriff's Dept.

Much better deal IMO.

[wingman]

Do I get the annual pass for JB at the sheriff's office? How much is it? JB is the closest cave to me. I should be doing that instead of paying $25 a visit.

Thanks.

Jim

Bugman has it right....used to be two people had to show and spend 150 each for annual passes, never did understand that, i think chickdiver said that it had to do with a buddy team showing up for their annual pass when the jb opening up for divers was negotiated by her and scott h. Now its just 150 a pass and a deal it is...Bill

[jimdiverman]

$150 and you get it from the Sheriff's Dept.

Much better deal IMO.

I'll be down with that this weekend then. I can probably have it paid for by the end of June.

Thanks Mat!

- Jim

[jeandiver]

$150 and you get it from the Sheriff's Dept.

Much better deal IMO.

ER , SOME OF US DON'T LIVE 3 HOURS AWAY FROM JB !!!
(like some people do)
And we DO live like 15 mins from Ginnie...

OK , I'm off of my soapbox now.

Da Bumblin Bean