"You haven't seen our airplanes..." (standard skydiver reply to above)
Also, it gets easier when you realize the pilot is wearing a parachute too. Hardest part of the ride is the bit after just leaving the ground, but before you're high enough for your parachute to work. You're just a sitting duck for that part.
The middle age crisis bug hit me and I did a jump on my 50th birthday. 13,500 feet...was the most intense feeling I've ever had. Tandem is cool cause you're just along for the ride!! We did a 60 second freefall and were under canopy for about 3 and a half minutes.