[VAC] Re: WBCCI MEMBERSHIP

[David Carr]

I think some of the younger members of this group forget that the Airstream has always been an extremely high end trailer designed for two people to use for wintering in or full timing. They are now and always have been very expensive compared to other similarly equipped trailers.   In 1973 I spent the winter in Phoenix Az being trained by my company to repair Mainframe computers. I bought a 1973 Fan Luxury Liner with all the options such as a/c, awning etc. It cost 6250 dollars and I had to take a 3 year loan to pay for it. I had wanted an Airstream so bad I could taste it but it cost 11250 dollars fully equipped. The Airstream has always cost about twice as much as any other trailer. It may very well be worth it but until recently, the younger generation just couldn't even consider an Airstream. People looked at me as some rich kid as I had bought the Fan.   I was finally able to pick up that 1975 Airstream this past year. I had to pay the same for it used now, as I paid new for the Fan.   I am now 64 and retired and at this time in Tucson for the winter in a +55 RV Park. I am sympathetic to the concerns of the younger set of members, but I don't see many young people buying new Airstreams. This is what keeps the Thor co. in business. The younger set is buying vintage Airstreams which is great, but that does nothing for the future of the Airstream Trailer. It is still sold to older people who are retired and can afford the high price. The Blue Beret is sponsored by the Airstream co. and is primarily interested in satisfying the purchasers of new units. If sales of the new units stop, That will be the end of Airstream.   Just the facts of life In my humble opinion.   Dave Carr WBCCI 2275 VAC ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard P. Kenan To: Multiple recipients of VACList Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 2:08 PM Subject: [VAC] Re: WBCCI MEMBERSHIP At 11:48 AM 1/11/01 -0700, you wrote: [snip] Unfortunately, the WBCCI has become a retirement club for folks more interested in social activities of the elderly. This isn't necessarily bad, but it causes people who are attracted to Airstreams because of the magic they exude, but who soon find barriers to their participation. This is a value judgement, and an insinuation that those interested in the social aspects of WBCCI do not appreciate the "magic" of Airstreams.  My experience says otherwise.  Can't a member do both?  There is, definitely, a tendency for a club to age, and for older members to be in charge - especially if no effort is made to recruit younger members and get them involved as club committee people and as officers.  This is sad, and reflects the trend towards an aging membership in WBCCI.  And, older members are more likely to be "set in their ways."  IMHO, the only unforgivable thing is to be rude, forming exclusive cliques. Still, I find the repeated negative references here to older members to be in poor taste. Remember, we VAC members are, often, seen as elitist by many members of WBCCI.  That's probably because we tend to be younger, and youth tends to arrogance (I'm an arrogant youngster at 69).  It's a hard path - to be one of only a handful of young people in a predominately older club - but it's not made easier by insisting that the club make itself over for your particular tastes.  It can happen, but you have to make it happen; the other club members are happy as things are. It's like my own local chapter which actively states it is not an old folks club, but then proceeds to list all the obituaries and members in hospitals in the newsletter.  There is never any information about Airstream, the trailer, in the newsletter.   This is not to suggest disrespect for the elderly and their health problems, but it turns off younger members. After all , I'm 55 and will be getting "old",... but never in spirit. What would you have in a *club* newsletter?  Should people who are ill, or who have died, simply be ignored?  *That* would be disrespect, indeed.  The WBCCI publication, "The Blue Beret" has Airstream information in it, including some technical stuff, and the VAC one has lots of great technical information (as well as some social information).  A club newsletter should, as yours does, contain information about the members.  Ours also contains stuff going on at Top of GA, safety seminars, additions to the email-address list, reports of the Board activities/meetings, and other stuff.  And, yes, some social stuff when that is timely. Keep working on your unit; they'll come around, but only slowly. - Dick (5368) "To every man is given the key to open the gates of heaven; The same key opens the gates of hell."  -  Buddhist saying Dick Kenan Tel: 770-451-0672 Retired and loving it! WBCCI # 5368 23' 1972 LY Safari Atlanta mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.mindspring.com/~as5368/ To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.