I hear you, Crash. There are also lots of folks that while they might be able to afford it, it just isn't cost effective. Once a year a club I belong to has a picnic; wives, GFs, other family and friends, neighborhood assn. officers, and local pols that have been supportive in our keeping the field are welcomed. We tend to 'forget' they had their once-per-lifetime buddy box flight last year and the year before that. Also there are some elders that remain as associate club members but have let AMA lapse. Though they no longer fly regularly they might once in blue moon get the urge to twiddle the sticks again. They are welcome to fly on the buddy box with me, so long as there is nobody present with a compulsion for counting. When my kids went off to college, both time for the hobby and money were tight. Would have been nice if I could have taken them to fly at the club field during the infrequent visits home. I was fortunate to have room enough to fly on my own property, but I know many are not.
The Intro Pilot program is a good thing and I'm not knocking it - I have been an Intro Pilot and I know the program has been streamlined primarily tnx to Dave Mathewson to cut the paperwork, etc. Still, not every guest of of a modeler that shows up at the field is interested in instruction. Often it is simply a social visit and a turn on the buddy box allows a small bit of participation in the activity that adds to the enjoyment for both host and guest. I don't expect a guy that shows up with his wife or GF wants to turn her over to a club instructor, for example, and I for one won't ask if she is AMA if I see her more than once on the flight line with buddy box in hand.

Abel