Why do some NOT want to join WBCCI?

[MrUKToad]

In reply the OP's original question, I won't be a member of the WBCCI because there's little that I could contribute and not much that I enjoy in large social gatherings. The thought of the formality that goes with the club, those big red numbers for one, leaves me cold.

However, that's just my personal view and I applaud those that keep the WBCCI running; they have an enthusiasm that I can only dream of. I also know that thousands of people get so much from the organisation, so for them, that's great. Long may it continue, although without me.

[Foiled Again]

Every unit has it's own "personality." And some of those personalities are pretty strong. I haven't retired yet, and really haven't had the time to become involved. When I do retire I'll probably rejoin the WDCU. And thanks for reminding me about affiliate memberships. The NOVA group is great, but 500 miles away, so I really couldn't participate very much. But I'd still like to hang with them once a year or so.

[bigfoot390]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Interesting that some don't want the social aspect of the club but spend hours a day on the forums? A sign of the times. Seems to be a societal change away from eye contact and actually talking in person to using electronic devices, very impersonal.

I agree with the second part of your statement.

[Rich Jenkins]

Originally Posted by CaddyGrn

We went to one WBCCI rally, and there were some very positive things. However, the group meals were all heart stoppers and what I seriously considered terrible food. Breakfast had white toast (you made yourself) and pancakes... the eggs and everything else was gobbled up early. We went back to our trailer and made our own breakfast. The wake up trumpet at 7:30 a.m. was also a huge downer for me. No reason to blare an alarm and startle folks. We are on "vacation" not running off to work!

The best part of the rally was the time we had to visit everyone's trailer in an "open house" event... however, I was surprised at how many set up "shop" and had a regular yard sale with stuff during this time. I expected some social time and other things that were less "work".

The folks were friendly and nice, but most activities just didn't interest me. At night everyone played table games in a building rather than being outside around a campfire. I would have preferred telling stories, having a warm drink, and enjoying the outdoors.

Maybe our one experience was unusual, but it just wasn't our cup of tea.

Wake up Trumpet...you can't be serious?!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by CaddyGrn

Breakfast had white toast (you made yourself) and pancakes... the eggs and everything else was gobbled up early. We went back to our trailer and made our own breakfast.

WBCCI has an unfortunate and annoying tradition called "Airstream Time." Which is kind of like Daylight Savings Time except it's year-round in every time zone. Set your watch fifteen minutes fast, because if you're just on time, you're late. Personally I hate that tradition, and I was in the club three years— THREE YEARS!— before a fellow member finally explained it to me. They just automatically expect everyone to already know.

The wake up trumpet at 7:30 a.m. was also a huge downer for me.

Anyone who plays "Reveille" on a bugle in a campground I'm at will only get wake me once! Then I'd find the vile miscreant with the bugle (or the recording, whatever) and sarcastically thank him for personally driving me out of the club, because I'd be leaving the campground AND the club in a huff long before he had a chance to play "Taps" for the evening. Compared to bugle calls, my hot-button issue of enduring a "necktie required" dress code for some events is merely a minor gripe!

[SteveSueMac]

On edit - I got what I misunderstood. You couldn't believe the trumpet itself!

Got it!

[xrvr]

Airforums rallys I have been to are also on Airstream time. Arrive on time and get the leftovers. Okay once you know about it.

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by CaddyGrn

We went to one WBCCI rally, and there were some very positive things. . .

The wake up trumpet at 7:30 a.m. was also a huge downer for me. No reason to blare an alarm and startle folks. We are on "vacation" not running off to work!

Maybe our one experience was unusual.

Thus is born another urban legend.

For what it's worth, I have been a WBCCI member for 12 years and have been to who knows how many rallies, unit, region, and national.

At only one of those rallies did I hear bugle calls, and those were provided by the U S Army. The rally was in the family camping area of the Fort McCoy military reservation, and it turned out that bugle calls--First Call, Reveille, Retreat, and Taps--were repeated by lousdpeakers all over the fort, including the famcamp area.

Since Fort McCoy is an active training base we were also treated to the sounds from the live fire artillery range--but only during the daytime.

It was a great rally, actually.

[moxie t. moto]

Joined & got our number as soon as we got out a/s! Just happy to be a member of something as old as i am!
Learned a lot talking to members and looking at the forum.went to g
illete last year but couldnt make farmington this year. Learned a lot in gillette.belong to a local just because i can but never attend meeting. Doesnt hurt to support them and they keep us informed as to whats going on.
All in all we are happy a/s owners and happy to be part of it .
Beats the hell out of watching opra winfrey all day!

[Ray Eklund]

Well... I hate to break the news to those posting about loving the Airstream Rally and Group experience(s) and something must be wrong with those who are not interested.

I purchased an Airstream without any thought about joining a... group. I purchased a Toyota Tundra when they were first introduced... and never thought of joining a Tundra Club. Or a John Deere lawn tractor club. Or... or ... etc.

Airstream is as American as Harley Davidson motorcycles. There are those whose LIVES are orientated around their trailer, their antique vehicle, motorcycle, profession, etc. The motorcycle is an operating piece of functional art. I am not and never was a follower of the herd or nostalgia. It reeks of way too much commercialism.

I wear Sturgis, SD Motorcycle Rally tee shirts. Never owned a Harley, never wanted one, but... the tee shirts are absolutely beautiful art! It does not diminish the Harley owner, nor is it an antisocial message how I feel about motorcycles. I do not want to own, build and operate an experimental fixed wing aircraft, either.

My purchasing of an Airstream trailer was for the use and function. Not to cling to others with Airstreams. I could have chosen an Arctic Fox trailer, but the Airstream had more potential for resale after years of using it. I would not join an Arctic Fox Club or sign up for a Rally.

My intent for posting this Thread is to offer an outsider's opinion to those individuals who find that Rallies are their "life". Airstream is their entrance fee towards having a common interest... in a brand of trailer. I need no membership for self esteem or acceptance among any group of individuals. Rally members want more members, more rallies and more, more. I ask for less, less and less.

I have yet to find an Airstream Fossil Dig Rally in western Utah. A Trout Fishing Rally in NW Montana. An Airstream Sturgis Harley Motorcycle Rally. Even if there were... I would not attend.

I own an Airstream Trailer. It could have been another brand as the history of the product was not my inspiration for purchase. After some thought, even the Airstream trailer was the worst option for my kind of camping, as it has the least amount of ground clearance.

I did find Avionstream's Post interesting: Posted by: avionstream
On: 08-09-2015 06:10 AM

"Interesting that some don't want the social aspect of the club but spend hours a day on the forums? A sign of the times. Seems to be a societal change away from eye contact and actually talking in person to using electronic devices, very impersonal."

I have to look at it this way. If I do not like the company at a Rally, it can ruin the experience and trip. If I do not like the company on the Forum... I just go on my way and ignore them with a click on the computer keyboard.

[DanB]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

...... The NOVA group is great, but 500 miles away, so I really couldn't participate very much. But I'd still like to hang with them once a year or so.

We love having you as a member! In fact, I want to grow up and be like you someday!

I look forward to the next time our paths cross!

[airdreamers]

"Quote" Well... I hate to break the news to those posting about loving the Airstream Rally and Group experience(s) and something must be wrong with those who are not interested.

I am not sure but I don't seen to recall anybody saying "something must be wrong with those who are not interested." (in joining the WBCCI). All of the Units of the club I have been involved with invite you to their rallies as non member as a courtesy and to introduce people to the aspects of the club. Buddy rallies, some time include SOBs. In fact my unit has a Airstream wannabe at all of our buddy rallies. We have been plotting to spray paint his SOB silver to give him an oppurtunity to pull the trigger on an Airstream.

[Ultradog]

Some people, actually a lot of them, have an inherent need to belong to something.
Something greater than themselves.
That's why there are so many clubs and groups in the world.
From the Moose to the Oddfellows, the Masons, a church, bowling club, Toast Masters, AA, Vet's Clubs, Hell's Angels, knitting clubs, and the like.
They even, when moving to a new city, make a point of becoming boosters for the home town team. They wear the uniforms and show the colors of their newly adopted place.
I think part of is related to the fact that there is safety in numbers or an ancient need to be a part of a tribe.
They find their place in a natural pecking order, a group where they feel they fit in.
I think it's pretty ancient actually. Part of a survival mentality.
But there are others too that just don't have a strong sense of self identity.
So to make themselves feel better they wear the colors and bang the drum of an organization that gives them "place".
Perhaps it's their lack of confidence or creativity that makes them need to follow the crowd.
Of course in my opinion, the need to join isn't Man's best attribute. In fact, I think the opposite is more likely true.
People with a strong sense of self, people who are are individuals have less of a need to join.
They are able and willing to have as much fun in life going it alone, wearing their own colors or uniforms and making their own rules and bylaws - for themselves, paying no heed to rules that are foisted upon them by others.
"Fitting in" is much less important to them than others.
I suppose it is just as well that there are two kinds and never the twain should meet.
For the people who, like myself, prefer solitude over crowds, clubs attract all those joiners, those little martinets with their bugles and blue berets and gets them off my back and out of my space.
And to those who value order and place, it helps them avoid an individual who's usually contemplatitive, mostly self satisfied, sometimes atrabilious, always ungregarious and keeps me from annoying them just by being different.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Well... I hate to break the news to those posting about loving the Airstream Rally and Group experience(s) and something must be wrong with those who are not interested.

I purchased an Airstream without any thought about joining a... group..

Me too.
The thought was to get a camper to get away from people, not go toward them. (INTJ....the I is for "introvert").

Then, an unlikely confluence of events occurred, and I found myself at a local rally and met some fun interesting people. I wasn't seeking that out...it just sorta happened.
Now, if these people all went out together and traded in their Airstreams for Arctic Foxes...so be it. I'd still want to camp with them. The Airstream was just the "hook"...the common interest. Once that hurdle is crossed, its really not about the camper, anymore; Its about the people.
We still do solo stuff. Rallies aren't the only thing, although some years, they have been. We still camp with our SOB friends, too.
Most recently, we're not doing much of anything, because my camper is being renovated (slowly). The unit has an annual rally that just happens to be held at a campground that is only a few miles from my house, so I usually drop by to say "hi" to my friends. They seem to like me just the same, whether I'm dragging my Airstream with me, or not.
Point is, I wasn't seeking this out (the "group" thing). ...I didn't think I would like it if I did seek it out. But it turns out, I was wrong. (imagine that?)

FWIW, if this particular unit were in that part of the country, they probably would organize a fossil hunting rally; that's the sort of thing that would be right up their alley...and you could choose to not go to that one, too!

[DanB]

Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet.

[Len n Jeanne]

Originally Posted by dayner

LOL, like most WBCCI pro/con discussions, they sound like ESTJ folks trying to convert INFP folks into ESTJs after getting the results of their Myers Briggs test, not yet realizing that personality types are neither right or wrong...just different.

LOL! I'm an INTJ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INTJ so maybe that's why we haven't joined up. Yet. After we've analysed the theoretical pros and cons a bit more, and can come to a fully rational decision.

[cramar]

Met a woman last year who bought an Airstream JUST so she could join the WBCCI and was heading off to the far north for her first trip.

I joined, but may not renew. Some of the trips sound real inviting, but are too expensive for my blood. Still I'd love to go on an interesting one.

We camped for the first time out of Ontario last week. We went to a couple of state parks in Michigan. I was asked several times what the red numbers mean. I gave the history of founder Wally and his first Central America trip as part of my answer. I realized that all those square white trailers out there don't seem to have any equivalent clubs, much less the heritage. That is part of the Airstream DNA, even if it's not for everyone.

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

LOL! I'm an INTJ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INTJ so maybe that's why we haven't joined up. Yet. After we've analysed the theoretical pros and cons a bit more, and can come to a fully rational decision.

yes, that would be the correct way to go about it.
gather data, gather more data...then research it some more. Eventually, you might actually fix the damn trailer. (just don't hold your breath).
said the other INTJ.

[Ray Eklund]

Ultradog, Chuck and DanB... wonderful posts.

I find on the Forums many of the posts have no humor, no merit, no thought and not interested in pinball machines.

I was in the antique coin operated machine business for longer than I can recall (1970's - 1980's). Gottlieb Pinballs were lined up in my basement, with the antique slot machines, 78 RPM playing Jukeboxes (mostly Wurlitzer & Seeburg 45RPM models) and Williams baseball machines. Machines, parts and projects for a decade. When I could not find old vending companies that still had warehoused this equipment, the hunt was finished and I moved onto other areas to... wreck and salvage.

Although I had an interest and knowledge in this equipment, I never had an interest in joining a club. Why? Because the majority of members wanted something. Again the Worker Bee and Joiner Bee quip I tossed out without any feedback.

I can understand 100% of those who restore older Airstreams involved in a club/rally. Meeting Richard and his wife from Texas in his restored Airstream was an act of love of the workmanship and rivets conversations, while on the Quemado, NM trip was a real treat. Same with Chris... with his slicked up trailer.

Information exchange is a valuable asset in a group of "hands on people". Most I run into are incapable of understanding how a toaster works (I had over 500 toasters at one time. Yes... I am a bit eccentric.), non the less a complicated vintage Airstream trailer. I admit... that I would be a member of an active group that had restoration as an objective, and socializing to pass idle time low on the list. Little work can progress if one is talking too much.

If there were Airstream Parts Shows... I could see these individuals arriving from across the continents. Like the Chicago Jukebox and Coin Operated shows that I attended twice a year in the 1970's and 1980's. Much like the 1954 to 1969 Corvette "Rallies" that resemble the same enthusiasm for parts and the exchange of knowledge.

There are "doers" and "followers". The doers are cutting edge personalities that are doing. The followers come along and want a free education on your time. You can read a post and probably determine the doers from the followers. Just human nature.

If I were in my 20's today... none of these opportunites would even be known to exist. Today, they do not. The Rally Experience might be on its final burst of membership. Members are older and eventually drop out due to health, lack of interest or the ability to travel distances. But if you are a "doer" this is not an issue. They will do what they have always done. Maybe with a little less gusto and shorten the activity hours, but I find them in my travels. These people are the gems out there, solo or with their spouse and actually are surprised someone else shares an interest out of the mainstream.

I am not sensitive over not wanting to be a joiner. Those who are joiners, should understand people like myself. We are usually more interesting in our activities, creative and eager to share information with other knowledgeable individuals. If I talk too much my voice becomes overworked. Give me a screwdriver, a chainsaw or a pick and chisel and turn me loose into my world. Rally or Not.

[mnmhays]

We haven't even considered joining due to lack of time to travel (heck, I'm still restoring). With kids at home still and a new arrival last month it's not on our agenda to travel alot yet. I believe that there is a growth in 'non-retired' AS owners that has to be accounted for. Maybe in 10-15 years we can consider it...or not.