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
>>> 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.
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