In general if someone comes onto the flying field and occupies the bleachers in the covered pavilion, we have a suspect. It is our task to convert that person from a suspect to a participant. If your club is not growing, YOU and your friends are doing a poor job. If your club is adding new members, the task is being done well. Even if your club looses members to moves or other things, if you are adding NEW members things are not terrible.

Having said that, I also have not participated in the "Intro Pilot" program because it is not necessary to latch onto a new victim, er recruit. However, I have been known to buddy box someone on my 1/3 Pitts because that was what I had at the time. He flys Super Sportsers now. The issue is not really keeping the AMA growing, but keeping your own club alive which happens to also help the AMA grow slightly.

As for old geezers, I have only rejected one. It was clear he had neurological problems due to diabetes and that had caused lots of problems. After all the other instructors had rejected him, I agreed to teach him how to fly if he never started his engine. I had him almost ready to solo when he started the engine while kneeling in front of the aircraft with no wing or restraints. It made several folks physically ill to see it happen. He got a bunch of stiches in his thigh and hand and left a lot of blood all over the pit area. I told him I was done with him because this is not a blood sport.

YMMV