On Mon, 15 Feb 1999 08:04:28 -0500 Jerry Eichenberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >To me, some of this is good, but most of it isn't. Restricting access >to the show grounds and flight line is terrible. Oshkosh (not that >stupid name AirVenture) is the one showplace of aviation where >interested people have been able to get introduced to our industry for >over 40 years (yes, I know it was in other places, but the deal was >the same). >I've never seen a lot of cigarette butts around. I think this is a >non-issue, and know of no fire that has ever been caused at Oshkosh by >anyone smoking. Sure, there are a few idiots who didn't know better, >but as soon as they were politely asked to put it out, all that I ever >saw complied promptly. >I agree that EAA headquarters doesn't seek member input, but I also >realize that they never will. Trade groups like this one are >self-perpetuating, and unless you have the time and money to try to >try to work your way into the inner circle, you'll never have any real >input. >The name and logo changes were silly. Just a change for change's >sake. I'm afraid that the 3 month membership deal will be viewed for >what I think it is; another money grab to increase EAA's revenues. >I'm not against the Poberezny family getting well paid for their >efforts, they've made it what it is, and deserve the credit and >compensation for what they've done. >Because of my profession, I attend Oshkosh every year, and for the >entire week. But if business didn't call, I'm not sure I would go >every year. It's very expensive for the average guy, and the lack of >hotel accomodations is awful (I quit sleeping on the ground when I got >out of the Army). To get a decent place to stay, we drive 30 miles >each way, every day of the show. >I also don't even think seriously of flying there, but that's a >personal decision based on my need for dependability of a schedule of >arriving and leaving, and the need for a car once I'm there. One of >these years I may fly, since the last time I flew there was in 1968, >when the show was still at Rockford. >Don't be too hard on the uninformed about the smoking issue. Better >signage and a polite reminder from pilots would solve the problem, as >small as it is. But when you run into me at one of the eateries, let >me puff on my pipe, well away from any aircraft. >Jerry Eichenberger >Columbus, Ohio >N2906H
When me and Syd were at OSH we saw 15 people one day(and not very far apart time wise) smoking right on the flight line. When Syd politely asked them to put the smoke out all we got were rude comments. The people just walked away still puffing...Some did put it out, but while they were walking away I saw them geting another one out and lighting up. I think it is a REALLY big problem and something needs to be done with it. At lest Syd got the ball rolling. Just let Tom try different ideas until we find one that works. And I do agree that the logo change was uncalled for without asking the members. Thanks for everything Syd. ___________________________________________________________________ Zach Freiberg Co-Pilot of Ercoupe NC94196 Based at Wausau Downtown Airport, Wausau WI > >>>> Syd Cohen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 02/13/99 09:14PM >>> > Here's my report on the Smoking at Oshkosh issue: > Bob Mackey, as promised, attended our EAA chapter meeting today. >He >said he had a huge stack of chapter newsletters on his desk with my >letter reprinted in each of them, with an editorial which agreed with >my >letter. He said the EAA Board had been discussing the issue for quite >a >while, and have come up with a new plan. The plan is---are you >ready?---starting this year, Oshkosh is going to be open to EAA >members >only! No one else will be allowed onto the grounds, except for food >vendors and commercial exhibitors! Members can bring in family >members. Non-members will have to join EAA in order to enter the >grounds. A new 3 month "trial membership" will be available to >non-members for $12.00, plus they will have to pay $18.00/day, where >members will pay $14.00/day. "Trial" members could continue to renew >their "trial" membership every 3 months, or they could become full >members by paying the yearly dues. What do you think of that? > I told Bob I hope the gate people give the new members a hand-out >which clearly states the smoking rules. He said he would pass that >idea >along. > Other chapter members peppered Bob with lots of questions and >comments. I think he was sweating (we're in Wisconsin) by the time >he >left our meeting. One of the best comments I heard was "headquarters >seems to have lost touch with the membership. Communication, which >should be very easy (we do have a monthly magazine, don't we?) does >not >exist between headquarters and the members. Take, for example, Syd's >letter. He has never gotten a reply from Tom, even to say he had >recieved Syd's letter. Another example is the logo change. You just >went ahead and changed it, without giving us advanced notice, choices >of >design, or anything. And another one is changing the Antiques and >Classic division to the Vintage Airplane division. We had no idea >this >was going to happen until it was done." Bob agreed, and said he >would >get headquarters to work harder on communication. > After he had gone many of the members were still dissatisfied >with >his remarks. I think we made an impression on him, and I hope he >passes >it along, and I hope he realizes that our chapter is not the only one >that is not happy with the way things are going. > I welcome questions or comments from all of you. You can also >e-mail Bob at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tom's e-mail address is >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Syd Cohen >NC94196 > >P.S. I still plan to lead a flight of Ercoupes in to the convention >again. More on that later. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ! >! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ! >! > > > > > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________ Zach Freiberg Co-Pilot of Ercoupe NC94196 Based at Wausau Downtown Airport, Wausau WI ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
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