ORIGINAL: seanreit

Frank, my only suggestion was initially to change date to a later date, but if you are stuck you are stuck. With fuel prices where they are at, and 10 mpg pulling the trailer, I personally spent about $2,000.00 to attend your event. I flew less than 10 times. However, since you've opened a discussion, I have some other comments:

I tried to give you $150.00 bid on a tool set that you had $115.00 bid, and you told me to ***** off at the banquet. Like, litterally said that.

What I realized more than ever this year, is that if you are not known to Frank Tiano, or Bob Violett and team, you are litterally a nobody. What cracks me up more than ever is that Frank Tiano will change the rules because of weather so that BV's planes can win awards when they did not fly, or other manufacturers. Amazing that Manufacturers can win awards, and take them with smiles on their faces, when the customers who spend their money on their products sit there in the back row of the awards ceremony, because we don't have reserved tables, and watch the people who we spend our money on, win awards. It is sickening, and I would love for you to tell me where I am wrong.

I spend 20 grand a year on this hobby. And the only business at Florida Jets that made any effort to get any of my money was Composite Arf. Every other company sat back and just "waited" for the customers to come. Some did. I had $3,000.00 in my pocket to spend, but the whole fat dum and happy sales approach from the vendors "Be there and they will come" didn't work for me. Dreamworks is an obvious exception, but Todd is one of my greatest friends in life.

Florida Jets is off my schedule, and so is buying any of your business' products. Telling women in public that if they give you a Blow Job and money for a product is wrong, even if you are joking. Saying it twice at the awards ceremony is even worse.

Please believe me that this is the unsaid sentiment of many at Florida Jets. Again, you may know my name, but when you see me, I'm just another in a long line of unknown jet pilots, I could see it on your face at the banquet. FROM THE LAST ROW OF TABLES.

5 years ago, I bid on a battery set from Duralite. And won. It was incomplete for whatever reason, when I called Duralite and told them I bought it at the auction, they were remarkably pissed off. Said those batteries were supposed to be a gift to the pilots. To be given away. I don't know how donations from vendors turned into auction for money to FJ's pockets. Could you explain that??

How much do you and your co hearts want to bleed us? How much do you think we can take before we drop this event from our calenders? I know 10 guys that won't back next year, and I know when the thread comes up next year on RCU, you'll have me sitting there telling guys my experiance.

Please respond as nicely as you can, these are real sentiments.

While not necessary, I would ask my friends, and colleagues on RCU to refrain from over posting this thread. Unless for whatever reason you see that I am totally off base, I can handle this discussion with Frank publically, should he choose to respond. The overwhelming support of PM's I've just received indicates that I am pretty much on track.