Really?? AOPA *NEEDS* a brand new Caravan?

TFaudree_ERAU said:
NBAA sure did come up with a nice response to the USA Today article last week...
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Exactly. It's amazing how cheap and short sighted some people are... AOPA easily does far more for GA than any other organization I can think of (hello NBAA, where are you???). Every single time some dumbass private pilot gets on the news, AOPA is right there doing their best for damage control. When nutcases are complaining about biz jets flying out of the local airport, AOPA is right there at the defense.

Also, I have received huge discounts on rental cars through AOPA (far better than any other organization), and the $10 off CATS testing is nice too.

For you new guys just starting out on your ratings, you'd be up **** creek with all the user fees we'd have by now if it wasn't for these guys lobbying so hard. But whatever, bitch about $30... I'm at a point in my career where user fees would benefit me in the long run, as a lot of you guys would be priced out of flight training. But I believe everybody should have the same opportunities that I had, and am very pro-GA and AOPA.

As far as the junk mail, I really don't see it. I get some stuff every once in awhile, but wow what a pain in the ass to throw it in the recycling pile (along with all the other junk mail). Big freaking deal.
 
wrxpilot said:
Exactly. It's amazing how cheap and short sighted some people are... AOPA easily does far more for GA than any other organization I can think of (hello NBAA, where are you???). Every single time some dumbass private pilot gets on the news, AOPA is right there doing their best for damage control. When nutcases are complaining about biz jets flying out of the local airport, AOPA is right there at the defense.

Also, I have received huge discounts on rental cars through AOPA (far better than any other organization), and the $10 off CATS testing is nice too.

For you new guys just starting out on your ratings, you'd be up **** creek with all the user fees we'd have by now if it wasn't for these guys lobbying so hard. But whatever, bitch about $30... I'm at a point in my career where user fees would benefit me in the long run, as a lot of you guys would be priced out of flight training. But I believe everybody should have the same opportunities that I had, and am very pro-GA and AOPA.

As far as the junk mail, I really don't see it. I get some stuff every once in awhile, but wow what a pain in the ass to throw it in the recycling pile (along with all the other junk mail). Big freaking deal.
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Bingo :clap:
 
I wonder how many jobs at Cessna this Caravan purchase helped save?

They can have my $30, plus I got a sweet headset bag for renewing. Way better than last year's model.

RD
 
I'm glad my dues dollars went to buying an American-built airplane and not something Brazilians or Canadian! ;)
 
I don't see the big deal. Its a group that advocates for general aviation and has many events at general aviation airports. It would seem silly if after an event promoting general aviation at abc small town airport, they have to ask for a ride to the commercial airport to catch their flight home.
 
AOPA is great.

They're defending every human's right to own an aircraft and to - perhaps more importantly - pilot that aircraft.

Go AOPA!
 
wrxpilot said:
Exactly. It's amazing how cheap and short sighted some people are... AOPA easily does far more for GA than any other organization I can think of (hello NBAA, where are you???). Every single time some dumbass private pilot gets on the news, AOPA is right there doing their best for damage control. When nutcases are complaining about biz jets flying out of the local airport, AOPA is right there at the defense.

Also, I have received huge discounts on rental cars through AOPA (far better than any other organization), and the $10 off CATS testing is nice too.

For you new guys just starting out on your ratings, you'd be up **** creek with all the user fees we'd have by now if it wasn't for these guys lobbying so hard. But whatever, bitch about $30... I'm at a point in my career where user fees would benefit me in the long run, as a lot of you guys would be priced out of flight training. But I believe everybody should have the same opportunities that I had, and am very pro-GA and AOPA.

As far as the junk mail, I really don't see it. I get some stuff every once in awhile, but wow what a pain in the ass to throw it in the recycling pile (along with all the other junk mail). Big freaking deal.
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Exactly.

Guys...try not to be so short-sighted on this issue. Pissed off because your getting junk mail?? Are you kidding? Just throw it in the freaking trash when you get it if you dont want it! Whats the big deal?

As far as bailing on the only organization that fights for the freedoms that you enjoy as a pilot, and the freedoms and opportunity that allowed for the career that you enjoy, I just dont get the logic here. GA is totally on the firing line, on the verge of imploding, and there is one organization that is fighting the fight on our behalf, and you guys are whining about some junk mail and bailing on them?
WHAT-ever.

Even if you dont agree with everything they do and every decision they make, they are still our best resource for protecting GA. I, for one, think we have an obligation to support them.

SUPPORT THE AOPA!! If you dont, we will all suffer the consequences.
 
Cant they just get a caravan...a Dodge caravan? Then it would be a pittance to raise the money AND they could support detroit at the same time. ;)
 
And if you actually read the letter for complete comprehension rather than the OMG! effect that the media loves, you would have found out that it was a used 2008 Caravan.

If that is the most effective use of their transportation budget, I have no problem with that. I know some groups spend money unnecessarily, but knowing how bizav actually saves money if used properly, I'll reserve the bashing that seems to be the favorite drivel of a few members here.
 
BajtheJino said:
I know! Its disgusting really. A private organization dedicated to pilots and them buying a new airplane!
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AOPA better not use it to fly to Washington or Congress will ridicule them for wasting money (just before leaving for their flight out of Andrews AFB).



However, reading the complaints about AOPA dues makes me feel sorry for the complainers. It must be terrible to get so emotional about a sum of money spent once a year that is less than what the average kid gets paid for mowing a yard.
 
PeterPilot said:
However, reading the complaints about AOPA dues makes me feel sorry for the complainers. It must be terrible to get so emotional about a sum of money spent once a year that is less than what the average kid gets paid for mowing a yard.
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Or going out to dinner.
 
I give them some cash every year because I support their efforts for keeping airports open and chasing away the TSA, but I could do without a monthly magazine where 20 pilots each write a page about what sucks in their lives right now and how stupid the FAA is. Anyone remember the story of Liberty the black lab? If it wern't for the fact the author threw in the line about almost forgetting to put the gear down, the article would have absolutely nothing to do with flying.
 
PeterPilot said:
However, reading the complaints about AOPA dues makes me feel sorry for the complainers. It must be terrible to get so emotional about a sum of money spent once a year that is less than what the average kid gets paid for mowing a yard.
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Yeah,whatever. Not very emotional here. However, it disturbs me when money given for the collective is perhaps spent with a little too much flair. Ever see how much of a dollar goes to the various charities from paid fundraisers? Often less than 10 cents.
 
ChasenSFO said:
I give them some cash every year because I support their efforts for keeping airports open and chasing away the TSA, but I could do without a monthly magazine where 20 pilots each write a page about what sucks in their lives right now and how stupid the FAA is. Anyone remember the story of Liberty the black lab? If it wern't for the fact the author threw in the line about almost forgetting to put the gear down, the article would have absolutely nothing to do with flying.
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That's why I still get Flight Training, much better.
 
+1 for supporting AOPA. If you don't like the content of the magazine stories, let it be known. Or hell, write your own story and submit it to them.
 
minitour said:
.

Somehow they found me at my new address and phone number, too. That's an awful lot of time and effort (not to mention postage) to track down someone that has told them he isn't interested in re-joining. I'd think their efforts could be better spent elsewhere.
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Maybe they just wanted your credit card number.:D

I renew my membership every year.

Wanna know what I do with all the extra fundraising requests? There's this thing in my kitchen called a trash can...
 
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