1 less hog in the air family...

[2airishuman]

hello all, here is an almost official, but who's really counting 6000 post.

first THIS THREAD is not about me, please don't post about me here.

reading the humorous stuff in the where's waldo thread has been great fun, so take any comments directed this way, THERE...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...u-46573-3.html

or perhaps here,

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f232...-20853-17.html

better yet, HIT THE thumbs UP, THANKS BUTTON (at the bottom of this post) and send a small note 2me thataway...

thanks is good, when used nicely.
________________________________

ok, now for the topic at hand...

we are LOSING a big time member, major airstream contributor and all around great guy.

coming this monday, airhog1 will no longer be an a/s vendor.

i'll leave it to him to share any details IF he wants to, for the nosey noses...

but my understanding is that after 11 years with one company, the last 5+ including airstream sales, he's got a new gig.

so it's not so much that he's leaving the airstream world, but rather he's moving on to something different.

gene is a real class act, and seldom do we meet people like him.

after popping up as a brand new (small) dealer in 2004, the hillbillies at airstream of arkansas rose DIRECTLY to the top.

they've been a top 10 dealer several years now and this last year were top 6, i think.

they've competed nose2nose with MUCH LARGER shops and managed to set an example of how best to represent the airstream product line.

that success is not all due to gene, but i'd bet the dealership owner would agree airhog1 has been a major reason for their success.

these 2 guys are like brothers so gene's departure is very hard 4 all involved.
_________________________________

as a forum member airhog1 has set the standard for HOW a vendor should behave.

his posts are funny, informative, friendly and NEVER has he put ne1 down, or claimed 2b an expert.

anyone who's had the pleasure of buying from him, shopping, price comparing or scheduling service,

can attest to the GREAT EXPERIENCE working with gene. PLEASE DO EXACTLY THAT in this thread.
________________________________

from this outsider's view, airhog1 has been one of the few bright spots for airstream the company.

he's gone to battle with them for customers, given them GOOD advice on product improvements and customer trends.

a/s in jackson center should be flogging themselves senseless for letting this guy get away.

gene has the special ability to ALWAYS do what's best by his customers, and a/s corp NEEDS people who think and act this way.
_________________________________

ok, any good things from this?

first he's not DEAD, but taking another path.

AoA isn't closing, so WE customers can still benefit from the great service, friendly sales, competitive pricing and honesty the dealership has.

and we NOW have a candidate for a NEW forum classification/title...

"VENDOR EMERITUS" (mods i suggest you make this change to his title soon)

the other good thing is we now, RIGHT HERE have the chance to express our appreciation to gene.

and since he's NOT dead, i'm sure he'll enjoy reading our comments.

i am encouraging EVERYONE in the community to show some LOVE.

gene buddy, i'd give ya a big 'ole sloppy kiss right now, if i could

instead i'll share ONE old post about my buying experience with you.

folks read post #32 in this thread...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ice-25186.html
________________________________

so come on folks, let's roast gene. think of it as razorback bbq or pulled pork, or greasing the pig, or...

for example, i once watched gene comb his hair...

i've never seen anyone use a toothpick and magnifying glass that way.

airhog1 has posted a LOT of funny stuff, here is one of my favorites...

Originally Posted by Airhog1

Is that a ZipDee G-String??? G

which came in response to post #319 here...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f472...tml#post366113

join me folks in sharing something funny, your buying experience or rally story about airhog1...

since not everyone will see this thread, PM folks how know this fella and point them here.

and if you've not had the pleasure of meeting him, just make up something funny, it's all good!

like all threads THIS ONE may go any direction, but FOCUS PEOPLE... it's ALL about airhog1!!!

so gene buddy my #6000 is for you, it is nice having you as a friend.

cheers
2air'

[wkerfoot]

Gene,

Thanks, I enjoy the tshirts you had made, even if I have to explain the tongue to my non airstream friends.

Bill

[moosetags]

Kudos to airhog1. I sure hope that he stays with us as a regular contributor. I am also glad to see 2air back amongst us.

Brian

[Andy R]

I'd like to second 2air's statement that you have been a model vendor in our community. You have been informative, polite, prompt and supportive to the many people you have interacted with here. I know I can speak for many of the members in saying thank you for your contributions and good luck with your future endeavors!

[sempi2]

We haven't been here too long, so we don't know much about you. 2Air has given you a great tribute and we can only hope that you will continue to contribute so we can learn much more. Good Luck to you on your new trek.

[happycamper2]

Gene will truly be missed at AoA. There are not many salesmen out there who treat customers the way he does. We felt like we'd known him forever from the first day we met. He's been a great deal of help to us during our first 2 years of Airstream ownership. His presence on this forum shows the dedication he has toward Airstream and Airstreamers. They are losing a real gem by letting him slip away.

Gene, Best Wishes to you.......I hope you see from these posts how much you've meant to everyone............and see what else you've done.......you brought 2Air out of hiding!!!!

Tina

[Mexray]

Gene, good luck to 'yall' in your new endeavor, but I suspect you'll now have to wear shoes... (I can talk like that because my wife's from Arkansas too...)

Even way out here on the 'left' coast, Gene has been able to set us 'right' with help for some needed parts - he went out of his way to give a helping hand to a 'stranger', a couple thousand miles away - many thanks again Gene, and I suspect there's many more grateful souls all over the country, as well!

All the best,
Ray

[Foiled Again]

Some vendors keep a good "public face" but with Airhog it comes right from the heart. Thanks for being a class act; but we expect to keep hearing from you in the future no matter what it holds for you.

Best wishes in your future!

Paula

[RoadKingMoe]

Best wishes in your new venture, Gene, and thanks for all you've contributed here!

[Mikethefixit]

Gene
We never met and maybe we still will,I can always hope. Its rare in today's world that you find a person let alone a saleman with the stuff this man is made of. We will cherrish the Tshirts Gene.
Long story made short. My wife loved the Tshirt with the AS tongue,so I ordered 2. They didnt come and didnt come.I checked my credit card statement NOTHING. So a short note to AirHog1. Then one day a package came and inside were 2 Tshirts and an invoice with a note "SORRY its been so long,I forgot. MERRY CHRISTMAS, GENE . The Invoice marked NC.
He's a class act,which in todays world people of his caliber are hard to find.
GOOD LUCK AIRHOG 1
Roger and MaryLou

[Lily&Me]

Hi Gene. We are the dumb, dumb, dumb folks who tried to sit out that horrific ice/snow storm in Missouri late January this year. You greeted us with non-judgmental warmth and kindness, rescued us from our foolish errors and REFFERRED US TO AIRFORUMS!!

Thanks for who and what you are, and many warm wishes in your future endeavors.

Please stay in touch.

[StanandLynn]

We bought our new AS from Gene and I have to say that it was one of the best buying experiences we ever had. Gene IS a class act and Airstream is losing a real gem. Good luck with your new venture, Gene.

[cosmotini]

What a bittersweet thread.

Glad to see 2air is back.

Sad to hear Gene is moving on.

Gene, good luck with your new endeavor.

[wolverine]

I second the vote for Member Emeritus. We bought our new AS four years ago because we believed in the fellow who introduced it to us and we have never been disappointed. No issue was ever too small for Gene to help out with. For anyone who has attended one of the Branson forum rallies you also know that Gene is an accomplished guitar player and vocalist. The Airstream community is better off for knowing Gene. We hope he will continue to participate in the Forums and wish him all the best in whatever new endeavor he has chosen. He is and will be a class act.

[soldiermedic]

Hey Geno,

Thanks for ALL the help when buying my first "New" trailer, and fixing of the, "Trailer that shall not be named". My only hope is that you keep at least one of those custom shirts that I had made for you guys when we picked the trailer up from you.

When do we know what kind of businsess you are opening up? Please tell me it isn't another brand of trailer!

Steve

[Airhog1]

Hey Gang! Thanks for all the nice words.

I have really enjoyed (more than words here can express) getting to know all of you Silly Silver Suckers!!!! I can truly say this has been an awesome ride!!!

Airstream of Arkansas IS one of the best dealers around and it is not all because of me. Mike Milligan, our owner is one class act. Bill Tyler, our service manager, in my opinion is the BEST around!!!

Airstream Inc. has been very good to me also. They are truly "THE BEST" rv manufacturer out there!

THANK YOU to all the forums members who have graced my door! I have had the honor to make some of your Airstream Dreams come true. I can honestly say, you people are some of the finest that I have met in my 46 years here on earth!

A HUGE shout out to 2Air'...I dangled a carrot in front of his hiding whole and he came out just for me!!! That means the world to me! I am honored to call you my friend! You got my digits so give me a shout when you are in the hood!

I can't name names 'cause I know I will leave someone out...but you know ho you are...but from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU for being my friends...some of you have my number so give me a call when you are in the area.

NOW for where I am going. I have taken a position with a group that owns several Sonic drive-ins across Arkansas...yep, I will be flippin' burgers and makin' shakes for a living!!!

This is a great opportunity for myself and my family. The major stockholder in the company is a good friend of mine and an all around great guy. I am very excited about this new venture!!!

I will continue to post on the forums and hang around all you crazies!!!

Who knows...I might even have to buy a trailer now!!!!!

G

[Gene]

Gene, you have a wonderful name!

I wish we'd bought our trailer from you rather than where we did (a disaster).

Gene

[soldiermedic]

Originally Posted by Airhog1

Who knows...I might even have to buy a trailer now!!!!!

G

LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN!!!!!!

[maccamper]

Originally Posted by Airhog1

NOW for where I am going. I have taken a position with a group that owns several Sonic drive-ins across Arkansas...yep, I will be flippin' burgers and makin' shakes for a living!!!

This is a great opportunity for myself and my family. The major stockholder in the company is a good friend of mine and an all around great guy. I am very excited about this new venture!!!

I will continue to post on the forums and hang around all you crazies!!!

Who knows...I might even have to buy a trailer now!!!!!

G

Best wishes for great success in your new career, Airhog1. I love Sonic hamburgers and seek them out when we travel! Been a fan of Sonic Drive-ins since the 60's.

Maybe you can convince your locations to provide RV parking. We'll make it a point to look for you in Arkansas or maybe we'll pass on the road if we're heading to OKC at the same time one of these days.

Again, best wishes and thanks for being a classy advocate for Airstreaming. We're glad you plan to still hang around with us crazies.

Nancy Mac (mrs maccamper)

[Airhog1]

Thanks Nancy! OKC is where the headquarters for Sonic is...gotta go there in the near future!

G