ORIGINAL: slg1
Where in my post did I say I was owed something? I have said many times, I DO NOT want to intrude on anyones flying time. You post things verifying the feeling that new flyers have when going to clubs. As in drawing straws, a badly built plane etcetera. Again, you must have been perfect the first time out. As far as helping the club, I am willing and able to help in many areas. However, I DID pay for something when I paid my dues. Seems you think a new person not only has to pay dues but must pay some sort of homage to the "experienced" people. What do you expect, that I come to the field with brooms and shovels and cleaning equipment, prior to getting some help? This isnt the Karate Kid. Teh club is expecting dues from people who join, my question is, how is the club helping them feel welcomed and in turn getting help with the field and any other areas they may need assistance in. Your's is the idea that they pay and we'll help them when we feel like it. That will not fly and anyone with a bit of common sense will know that. The local club here has pushed so many people away, that many go to a dry lake bed to fly and the atmosphere is wonderful. Everyone is helpful. I am not the only one who has this opinion here, as the amount of people who come the the lake bed have the same story. Pompous, rude and cranky club people who just want everyone else to go away. As I have read through many other forums here, this is a growing sentiment everywhere. Club people need to realize this. Especially in western stated where there is plenty of land to go and fly without feeling you are intruding on the 'established' folks. Open your arms to the new people, they will respond.
Let me suggest a solution for you. Rather than your somewhat aggressive attacks on AMA clubs in this thread, why don't you start a thread that addresses this specific training issue rather than hijacking this thread about a technical problem we are trying to come to grips with? My point of view is that you are so interested in attacking that you refuse to allow significant discussion about anything else, but I have been told that I have a bad attitude. In all seriousness though, I really do think you need to write out exactly what it is you feel clubs must do to measure up to your lofty standards because it is painfully obvious that you have grief with every single approach to a solution that several thousand other people across the country have worked out over many years. I am sure that if we can see your way as a better one, many of us will take it to our clubs and run with it. Wouldn't that be much more effective than this rock throwing you seem to be insistent on? I invite you to help us all work on problem solving instead of rock throwing...