WBCCI Free Membership Over? - Page 2

Silvertwinkie · 08-23-2003, 07:55 AM

Not to rehash this old wound too much, but I too have NO intetention of renewing my membership after the free one runs out.......

I mean the newsletters practically have people with oxygen masks throughout the newsletters I receive. Plus I am with Steph...the clubs are not designed for the average working folks out there. Add to the fact the high costs of these trips (and inconv dates), make it a dead club in my book.

I too love the tight knit Airstream Community like the next person, however, the group as I see it is mostly there for retired folks who have the time to do these things and that is wonderful for them. However, there are a good number of we 30 somethings (can't believe I'm actually a 30 something...

) that can afford to be into Airstreaming, but have no real group connections to be able to go on rallies or care to pay the cash for the memberships and then these fairly high sums of money to go camping. Speaking for myself in particular, the informal stuff that has been done here is really a hit for me because the group here is in touch with each other and has a good connection with the realities of non-retired life.

I too belong to a car club and I have to say because it's membership is diverse, it is able to meet everyone's needs at some point with the multiple offerings it has. Costs are low as are flexible dates and times that are in tune with both the retirees and the working folks.

BTW, the comment about the oxygen masks was a bit of an exaggeration....if I were in my 80s, I'd think it was attractive...

(Jumping off my soapbox now).

Eric

uwe · 08-23-2003, 08:37 AM

Well, as WeeWind mentioned, it is a travel club for Airstreams. Retirees just happen to have the time to participate in travels and rallies and such. Working families won't have the time or energy to go on week long rallies. It's pretty clear who is going to enjoy WBCCI membership the most. It's also clear why so many don't renew or stay on. The moneys are being used for all activitites, and people doing lots of rallies will benefit from it.

**jcanavera** · 08-23-2003, 09:45 AM

I got an email yesterday from our unit's treasurer. He said he ran across an Airstream in his travels in the western U.S. In place of the WBCCI numbers there were red letters instead, spelling out the word "Unlisted".

Jack

**Stefrobrts** · 08-23-2003, 10:03 AM

They say that the number of younger buyers are increasing, and even AS seems to confirm that with theur CCD interiors. I guess the WBCCI just can't meet the needs of those owners. Not that the WBCCI is bad, it just doesn't meet my needs, and it is very expensive - for something that, for the most part, I cannot participate in.

All I really want is a group of people I can meet/communicate with who can help me maintain and get the most out of my Airstream. Basically the same reason I have joined car clubs in the past. Obviously this applies to new unit owners as well as vintage, look at all the questions the forum gets from people with newer units trying to figure stuff out or modify them to their liking. Seems to me like the forum fills this need just fine.

**Stefrobrts** · 08-23-2003, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silvertwinkie
I mean the newsletters practically have people with oxygen masks throughout the newsletters I receive.

Eric, you are a cruel, cruel man

Personally I find the In Memoriam column more depressing (but necessary, I know).

I must admit the age difference does offer some challenges. I brought my telescope hoping to share the wonders of the night sky with my neighbors at the last rally I went to, but they all went to bed as soon as it started to get dark. Then they were up at what we young'uns consider the crack of dawn (7am on a Saturday!) standing around outside the trailers chatting loudly until we had to give up trying to sleep and join them.

Up at 7am, dinner at 4pm, it's like a whole different culture...

61Overlander · 08-23-2003, 07:54 PM

I have to put my 2 cents in here I guess. I have delayed joining the WBCCI group, have read their postings, have visited the local chapter web site, and frankly just don't see anything relevant. I do want to be actively involved in the vintage Airstream movement, so if I've got to first join the national group, so bit it. Just seems a rip off. I think a total revamp is in order. Even in the days of Wally Byam, how many people could take off 3-6 months to caravan? I work, my travel is going to be always short trips. A big event would be a 2-3 week trip in the Airstream. I want to socialise, interact with physically active members of any age. Vintage Airstream groups interest me most, but any Airstream owner would have a common appeal. However, even though it's been years since I've partied all night, I can still dance, party and make a fool of myself till at least midnight. From what I've seen, its the vintage group that seems to have the most fun. Count me in! Mike ps I'm 52 soon to be 53 and have no idea how I got this old! It wasnt by living clean I can tell ya!

Davydd · 08-23-2003, 08:31 PM

In the past few years we have bought a boat and joined the Power Squadron, bought sea kayaks but resisted joining those groups and now the Airstream and the WBCCI. I'm still working and have many pursuits going right now. The Airstream could become a boutique vacation cottage in my yard if I don't find time between my weekly boating excursions on Lake Minnetonka and my sea kayaking pursuits. Day hiking in the woods is our other joy. We thought the Airstream would be a better venue than tent camping and lately motels we have been doing all our lives.

But if I do get to a rally, 7 am is late for me. I start my work day shortly after 6 am and go to 5 pm. I have no complaints about that. It is a Central time zone news at 10 instead of 11 ethic I guess. I do miss Letterman.

The truth is I have a new toy to work on and lots of new things to learn. Retirement is a ways away yet. Maybe my attitude will change once I actually tow the thing somewhere.

Bottom line. I joined WBCCI to soak in as much info as possible if that means meeting other Airstream owners. Finding this forum was a bonus godsend.

I felt so guilty today quiting work on the Airstream at noon and going to the Minnesota State Fair to yearly sample deep fried cheese curds, deep fried Twinkie on a stick, and Martha's bucket of cookies. OK, once a year. The rest of the time I must eat healthy or get listed in the local WBCCI Airstream newsletter condolences.