2007 International -- Perry, GA

[nvestysly]

We'll make it a point to be there. Danielle and I have some 50's style garb - maybe we'll dress the part. Nah.... that might be taking it too far. Then again, maybe the VAC will be big supporter of this event. Might be right up there ally. Regardless, it's good to see some new ideas undertaken.

Thanks for the support Renee.

Lucius

[Waynon]

Originally Posted by bina

I saw this data and also have heard the numbers of AS's are down. Does anyone have a clue as to why. We did a lot of researach before we settled on AS and without question it seemed the best built at the lightest weight for towing. also they look great and have nostalgia.

in the 1970's-1980's....3000 to 4000
in the early 1990's.......2000 to 2500
in the late 1990's..........1500 to 2000
recently...................800 to 1500

I saw this and wondered WHY?

Maybe because you have to be a member of the W???? which is in many people's perception mostly a rigid political setup with all sort of rules and procedures that people nowadays are hardly willing to put up with, much less pay large membership fees to put up with it.

It's sad really. There are so many really nice Airstreamers and it would be nice if everyone could be involved. However, there is enough regimentation already in most of our lives.

I can remember going to rallies with my parents in the fifties, but I would much prefer other activities, for instance caravans. When so much of the time is dedicated to "leadership" and such it's not long until there are mostly chiefs and not enough Indians. I would love to see those make a major popularity comeback. It's a wonderful group for many, but less all the time. Most people, for instance, will nowadays want to fly their choice of flag(s) wherever and however they care to. Most all of us belong to several groups and have varied interests. You just have to pick and choose. Many people feel that being a member of the W???? is just not worth the money -- so the membership and participation continues to tailspin. There have been quite a few emotional messages on this forum about this and the reasons for it.

Another possible reason is that the perception of Airstreams has generally changed since the fifties/sixties. At that time Airstreams were the top of the line, best thing you could buy, complete with all the recognition and snob appeal. Now that dubious honor has passed to the fabulous and fabulously expensive class A motor homes. So the popularity, and the numbers, have changed. Fortunately, the huge "parent" company still makes a wonderful product and there are many of us who are still devotees.

Disclaimer: This is just my observations and feelings as a third generation Airstreamer. I make no apologies for it but no warranties as to the accuracy of my conclusion either. Needless to say, some of the "chiefs" and some of the remaining "indians" will violently disagree with me. I would sincerly like to see some major changes to make the organization more contemporary and inclusive. Some of the local groups have begun this process and those groups show growth.

Waynon

[henw]

We're thinking of attending the Perry rally. But, like other newcomers are a bit intimidated. Is the 30 amp electric really full power, or, should I plan on bringing the quiet Honda generator?
How often will the waste tanks be pumped?
Is arriving on Thurs or Fri a problem?

[wheel interested]

If you sign up for 30 amp an extra $135.00 do it by April 1st is full 30 amp, after that and without signing up for electricity it is shared so 3 amp, enough to run lights and fans and tv and keep your batteries charged. Bring the generator. I have only been pumped out once and that usually is too early after I get there. Should be no problem arriving then, it says no Saturday night or Sunday parking (?) You wait in a line to be parked until parking hours that area is called a bullpen. Parking starts at 8 I think and goes til 3 or 4 perhaps (?) I have spent the night in line in the bull pen self-contained. Fill your water tanks, you don't always get hooked up right away and when people leave they may break the water chain. You need a "Y" connecter and extra hose. Need lots of lengths of sewer hose for Perry hook-ups if you get them otherwise you dump when you leave and gray can be let out on the ground there, surprisingly.

[wheel interested]

Bring an extra electric extension cord too and a pig tail would be a good idea for some set-ups.

[nvestysly]

I made my reservation for 30A power in September last year. Knowing it is likely to be hot and humid in Georgia in late June /early July I think the $135 will be well worth the cost. What I don't understand is why WBCCI is making it sound like 30A power will be in short supply. I just called Georgia National Fairgrounds and the person indicated they commonly have as many as 1000 RVs hooked up to 30A power. They can add more if necessary. Why the 4/1/07 cut-off? Why not later? I know it takes time to get the details organized so I can understand not allowing last minute changes. However, WBCCI is making it sound like 30A power will not be available to anyone that registers after 4/1/07. That's nearly 3 months before the rally!

Similarly, why the vague comments regarding sewer hookups? Most persons attending rally will be arriving the weekend prior to July 4. However, WBCCI president refers to sewer hookups in very vague terms. In the recent Blue Beret, the wording was something along these lines: Most of those who park before June 14 should have sewer hookups (not a direct quote but close). First of all, who is going to park before June 14? Volunteers will but the rally doesn't start for another 2 weeks. Even then, only most of those who park prior to that date should have sewer hookups. So even if you arrive by that date you are not assured to have a sewer hookup. How many RVs will arrive by that date? I cannot imagine more than 200 - 300 and that's probably much higher than actual number of volunteers. In my conversation with Georgia National Fairgrounds personnel, they indicated to me that they have 600 sites with full hookups! What gives? Why is there such a cloud of secrecy surrounding the facts?

I don't expect an response to these questions but I do intend to copy and paste this post to the WBCCI forum to see if anyone can answer these questions.

Lucius

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by nvestysly

I made my reservation for 30A power in September last year. Knowing it is likely to be hot and humid in Georgia in late June /early July I think the $135 will be well worth the cost. What I don't understand is why WBCCI is making it sound like 30A power will be in short supply. I just called Georgia National Fairgrounds and the person indicated they commonly have as many as 1000 RVs hooked up to 30A power. They can add more if necessary. Why the 4/1/07 cut-off? Why not later? I know it takes time to get the details organized so I can understand not allowing last minute changes. However, WBCCI is making it sound like 30A power will not be available to anyone that registers after 4/1/07. That's nearly 3 months before the rally!

Similarly, why the vague comments regarding sewer hookups? Most persons attending rally will be arriving the weekend prior to July 4. However, WBCCI president refers to sewer hookups in very vague terms. In the recent Blue Beret, the wording was something along these lines: Most of those who park before June 14 should have sewer hookups (not a direct quote but close). First of all, who is going to park before June 14? Volunteers will but the rally doesn't start for another 2 weeks. Even then, only most of those who park prior to that date should have sewer hookups. So even if you arrive by that date you are not assured to have a sewer hookup. How many RVs will arrive by that date? I cannot imagine more than 200 - 300 and that's probably much higher than actual number of volunteers. In my conversation with Georgia National Fairgrounds personnel, they indicated to me that they have 600 sites with full hookups! What gives? Why is there such a cloud of secrecy surrounding the facts?

I don't expect an response to these questions but I do intend to copy and paste this post to the WBCCI forum to see if anyone can answer these questions.

Lucius

Lucius,

We arrived at Salem with the Vintage Caravan on Monday,June 26 and checked in the next day, at that time there were more than 600 of the eventual 1050 or so registrants already registered. That means trailers and motorhomes not individuals.

Bill

[InsideOut]

Volunteers and people involved with early activities start showing up right after Memorial Day weekend...a full 6 weeks prior to the official start of the rally. Every location that the rally is held does have some amenities "built-in" however a lot of the infrastructure needs to be set-up by the volunteers. Rally parking usually starts around the 22nd or so...even though the rally doesn't "start" until the 26/27th.

Shari

[wheel interested]

Lucius, I'm thinking if the convention center has a 1000 full hook-ups, that we are not going to be spread out in all those areas to utilize them, but I have no idea. Is anyone on the sanatation committee here? The reason I think that is that at the IBT rally in Perry we were parked in a fashion that we needed to share the sewer hook-up with an extension of PVC and duct tape our lines into that. Somehow I don't think that is the way the convention center would offer full hook-ups and that is a WBCCI improvision which also may be why they need the extra notice.

(I forgot to mention in previous post, you will need duct tape. We were told to bring plenty of duct tape with too.) I also don't think the convention center would be offering full hook-ups that would require, 3 lengths of sewer hose, double water hoses and an extension for electrical hook-up. Maybe this is a way to keep costs down for the rally or volunteers a reason to park early. WBCCI has the priority to include as many people as possible for special assignments, as you will soon note in the registration line if you have not already gathered that by being parked.

[myboyburt]

Another option is to stay off site at a local campground. That's what we are doing. 50 amp electric, water, sewer, cable and free WiFi for the 5 days we will be in the area at less than the $135.00 additional cost for 30 amp electric at the rally site.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by henw

Is the 30 amp electric really full power, or, should I plan on bringing the quiet Honda generator?

hi henw
-30 amp will not necessarily be at the correct voltage or htz...

i've read that some will be supplied '30amp' from generators.

if this is true and at all like last year don't count on full power.

they under estimate just how much juice is used.

and if any of your neighbors have 50amp mohos or 'power boosters' they will suck more and leave you less....

i had a meter last year that showed voltage drops in the LOW 90s on several days.
the standard 60hrz also dropped to 57 or 58 cps.

this is very hard on most electrical appliance and the ac and fridge compressors...

2 of us with meters pointed the low voltage out and the gensets were turned up some...

which helped a little but only after several days and still during peak times we 'browned out'

i regularly DID NOT use the ac in salem and georgia will be hot hot hot.

also, personal generator use is forbidden IN the 30 amp section, and some WILL turn in a complaint about this.

Originally Posted by nvestysly

I made my reservation for 30A power in September last year. Knowing it is likely to be hot and humid in Georgia in late June /early July I think the $135 will be well worth the cost. What I don't understand is why WBCCI is making it sound like 30A power will be in short supply. I just called Georgia National Fairgrounds and the person indicated they commonly have as many as 1000 RVs hooked up to 30A power. They can add more if necessary. Why the 4/1/07 cut-off? Why not later? I know it takes time to get the details organized so I can understand not allowing last minute changes. However, WBCCI is making it sound like 30A power will not be available to anyone that registers after 4/1/07. That's nearly 3 months before the rally!

Similarly, why the vague comments regarding sewer hookups? Most persons attending rally will be arriving the weekend prior to July 4. However, WBCCI president refers to sewer hookups in very vague terms. In the recent Blue Beret, the wording was something along these lines: Most of those who park before June 14 should have sewer hookups (not a direct quote but close). First of all, who is going to park before June 14? Volunteers will but the rally doesn't start for another 2 weeks. Even then, only most of those who park prior to that date should have sewer hookups. So even if you arrive by that date you are not assured to have a sewer hookup. How many RVs will arrive by that date? I cannot imagine more than 200 - 300 and that's probably much higher than actual number of volunteers. In my conversation with Georgia National Fairgrounds personnel, they indicated to me that they have 600 sites with full hookups! What gives? Why is there such a cloud of secrecy surrounding the facts?

I don't expect an response to these questions but I do intend to copy and paste this post to the WBCCI forum to see if anyone can answer these questions.

Lucius

hi lucius

it is NOT when u make the reservation that matters.
when you arrive IS the key.
folks are parked as they arrive.

imagine escorted seating for a wedding or funeral or 'exiting in an orderly fashion'

most people will not be arriving on june 29/30, MOST will already be on site by then.

i arrived 2 weeks early last year (mid june) and there were 4-500 volunteers already on site.

in fact before the rally 'offically started 2/3s+ were already on site. the count was over 600 'volunteers' as i recall.

show up on the day you are assigned, and you will be getting the last few 100 spots.
don't expect a good site or a close site.

daisy chaining water is fine but daisy chaining black tanks is a huge mess.

water has some pressure to move it along but the slinky relies on gravity, so even a little ground undulation means no flow.

combine that with spaces just wide enough for awing extension and freely dumping gray water.

this could be one soggy humid mess.

it is NOT the fairgrounds it IS the wbcci
yes they want and need to save some dollars,

but ALL of those folks that are using utilities for 5-7 weeks pay the exact same fee as those using utilities for 1 week...

so your payment (and the others only on site 1 week) helps cover the services used by the IBT and hundreds of volunteers...

mbb's suggestion to find a nice campground closeby and just visit the compound is wise.
that is exactly what i'd do.
camp where camping is professionally managed and untilities first class. camp where picnic tables and campfires and party lights are welcome.

unless you really really NEED to be on site. remember it really isn't about camping at this event.

it IS a legislative event and the annual mutt and mule show....

it would be great fun to see a forum rally nearby like we had at silverfalls last year.
5 days with forum folks up in the nearby mountains was 10x the fun of 2 wks in salem valley.

although i did enjoy meeting carol and bryan and bill and leo and others on site....
these are folks who are forum and wb members...

one can take in the 'full flavor of an international' without camping on site, where folks are in bed at 10p and up at 5a for free donuts and cb chatter.

cheers
2air'

[yukionna]

Like anything else in life, attending an International rally is what you make of it. We attended the International in VT and stayed on site and had a blast. Of course there are those who go to bed early and alternatively there are also those who stay up late. Some sleep in, some get up early. It's not a big deal and we did not encounter anyone who was intolerant of others.

We are bringing our 1964 Bambi II this year and are looking forward to camping with the vintage group on site. To us, attending International is staying on site and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

[myboyburt]

Originally Posted by yukionna

Like anything else in life, attending an International rally is what you make of it. We attended the International in VT and stayed on site and had a blast. Of course there are those who go to bed early and alternatively there are also those who stay up late. Some sleep in, some get up early. It's not a big deal and we did not encounter anyone who was intolerant of others.

We are bringing our 1964 Bambi II this year and are looking forward to camping with the vintage group on site. To us, attending International is staying on site and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Yuki has a valid point of view. Mine is a bit different having attended last year's International. My Parent's MH (not being vintage) was parked on the tarmac in the "dead and the dying" section. We were the only ones out under our awning for a nightly happy hour. It was like a RV sales lot, not a soul seemed to be living in the Airstreams around us.

So we'll drive the short distance from our campground to the International Rally for the 2 to 3 days there are activities / events being held that we are interested in. We'll party with the vintage folks (I mean your trailers, not your age). We'll attend the late night after hours DJ music event on July 1st. We'll purchase everything that looks good and we can carry from the Airstream Store and we'll have our WBCCI numbers and the likeness of our Airstream embroidered on our Zip Dee Chairs. We also won't forget to drop off all the pull tabs we and our fellow New England Unit members have collected over the past year for the local Ronald McDonald House. Then at night, we will be in a quiet campground, having happy hour under our awning with other Airstream owners with our A/C running in the camper with no worries about brown outs.

[Tom Randall]

I agree with yuki and boyburt. I am going and will endure the good, bad and ugly. And I believe it will not be the worst event in my life....and I even hope that I just have a good time.

When I did my first trip ever in a trailer and wbcci event, Sarasota, what could be considered "bad luck" happened as I have stated in previous post... but I had service from the Airstream factory for a 1 hour service charge of $85.... I can't get anyone to look at my unit for that amount here in So. Fla. I met the folks from my local chapter and they are great. Very helpful and informative seminars, loved the vendors (ok, spent some bucks), and enjoyed the flea market...

So, I took the advice from folks there that are going to Perry and I have volunteered. Should be there by the 10th of June. I noticed that most of the volunteers in Sarasota were friendly to me, so thought it would be a good bet. If not, I will still enjoy the events, shop at the flea market (might even sell stuff) enjoy what ever the weather is (yup, bringing the deet), and plan on going into town to see what I can see....

So I look forward to meeting other forum members, I have my AIR stickers and will get my blue numbers on before I leave.

And I still say, this group is great.... with it's knowledge and willingness to share..... and I will make it to a AIR forums get together......Sure that it will be a bla