I'm not a member so maybe I've got no room to criticize. But, I've been leaning towards joining, so I think I have some room for observations. While weighing the pros and the cons of joining, it has become clear to me that my biggest turn-offs can be nailed down to 2 things.

First, there are the members that come to this forum and complain, complain, complain. Almost everyone, at some time or another, takes issue with with something that some person or some place did or did not do at some point in our lives. If we want to drive, we have to go to the DMV. Being forced to endure long lines, and complicated or confusing laws and regulations can make anyone crabby. But here's the thing: With the AMA....you don't have to be a member. It is NOT a necessary evil. You don't have to join the AMA to be able to fly your plane. If you want, you can abstain from membership and take your chances with the responsibilitites of operating a plane, or drive the long distance to the middle of nowhere to minimize your risk of liability. You can forego the fellowship and camraderie, and go it alone. In fact, if you prefer, you can start your own AMA-type organization and run it the way you see fit. You're not forced or obligated to join, so why on earth would you do so if you're just going to complain? I know you haven't joined just to complain, but would you continue to patron a restaurant you know offers terrible food/service and complain while partaking of that food/service? If you don't like it, quit going.

That said, there's always room for improvement, and yes, criticism. But criticism has to be constructive, and it has to be properly pointed. It does no good to complain about something here, if you haven't or don't plan to politely voice your criticism to the organization. It isn't constructive, it isn't fair, and it certainly doesn't offer anyone the chance to make it right. I'm sure the AMA can't be all things to all people. But, if a vast majority of members wanted something done/changed/adopted, I'd bet the AMA would find a way to do it, change it, or adopt it.

Second, there is the way people treat each other. Please note: Please resist the urge to curse, flame, degrade, insult or embarrass someone in your post. We encourage the free flow of your ideas, but believe that they can be communicated (and received) much more effectively if you keep things civil. If you have to vent, take it offline. We carefully monitor posts and will ban individuals who engage in offensive conduct within the forums. Thanks. I'm sorry, but it seems like both sides of an issue tend to end up this way, more often than not. Sarcasm, riducule, and name calling? No thanks.

Now, you may think this has to do with RCU. It doesn't. It's not even about this particular forum. This is about the face (the face that I see anyhow) of an organization that I've been considering becoming a part of. Before anyone says "if you don't like it, don't read it" let me just say that if I'm going to join, I'm obliged to read it. Yes, there are means of information access, but RCU is my # one choice.

Is there an AMA membership in my future? I'm not so sure. Maybe I'll just continue to make the long drive.