an old school kicker is a jump that has some vert at the end. You have to be perfectly balanced because it 'kicks' you more up than out. Todays jumps are much wider than the old jumps and they launch you more out than up.
The 'floating' he mentions is a result of getting thrown up.
I'd be interested to see if as many guys hit it switch and/or land swith. If you're not perfectly on your toes at take off you're screwed. And, you come down from so high up that landing switch seems difficult. also, the landings were the same landings as invert sights so they're much steeper - not sure if Jon is going to use old school style landings as well..
(this coming from a guy who competed in upright aerials when daffy-daffy-daffy-twister-spread was the winning jump)