Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-11-2004, 02:40 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
RangerJay's Avatar
 
2002 19' Bambi
Northwestern Ontario , - on the backside of the map and just above the big green spot
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 819
Images: 44
... on being an Airstream Ambassador

Well, the Bambi is still being tucked away for the winter but we’re already reflecting on our travels over the past year. We were out close to 60 days, put 10,000 km on the trailer (6,000 miles) and visited 28 parks.

The number of people we met – exclusively because we were travelling in an Airstream –has struck both of us. Without a doubt – Airstreams are eye-grabbers and conversation pieces – and – Airstream owners are the companies Ambassadors.

People came up to us absolutely everywhere – in addition to what you might expect (at the campground) we met people at stoplights, at gas stations, in grocery stores and even at dumping stations – and it didn’t matter what we were doing – whether we were setting up, taking down, on the can, cooking, eating, sleeping, standing under the awning in the rain, dumping our tanks, filling up with gas, shopping, fixing or just plain sitting around there was someone, somewhere who wanted to talk about the trailer.

Although we’ve always found fellow campers to be a friendly lot we’ve never noticed anything on this scale. We were tent campers up to and through most of our 30’s, then pop-up campers through our 40’s and into our 50’s. Our introduction to travel trailers – through the Bambi – has been just this past year. I don’t think it would be much of an exaggeration to say that we’ve probably talked to more new people this past year than all the rest combined – all good folks.

Some of the more common ice-breakers:
· I didn’t think they still made those …
· I didn’t think they made them that small …
· Is that new or have you just taken good care of it …
· I always wanted to have one of those …
· I used to have one of those ….
· I just love your Airstream …
· Look at that - it’s so “cute” ….

Some of our more humorous times:
· the gal that chased us down in a large grocery store after seeing the trailer in the parking lot. She asked everyone she didn’t know if they owned the Bambi in the parking lot. When she finally found us she spent 10 minutes talking Airstreams – while blocking access to the dairy section (we were finally asked to move). After we purchased our groceries and went out to the trailer – there she was – waiting – “just have to have a peek inside”

· the kid about 8 years old – a clone of “Dennis the Menace” – who came up to me and said: “Mister, that is one UGLY trailer ….”

· the guy who wanted to know about the merits of owning an Airstream while I was rubber gloved and in the middle of a dump – before I was able to take the gloves off we had also covered much of the Lake Superior Circle Tour and the construction and operation of saunas – by that time there were 3 other units waiting for their own turn to dump.

· crossing the border - customs officers absolutely love Airstreams – we crossed 4 times – each officer (2 Canadian, 2 U.S.) went through the obligatory questioning procedure – then spent a lot more time asking about the trailer – how it towed, did we like it, how much did it cost, was it easy to look after, sure looks good ….. and on … and on … and on … and the line ups grew …

Our key observation in all of this is that Airstreams really seem to bring out the best in people – whether you’re an owner or not (except for that 8-year old kid – obviously a future criminal!).

The other thing that I think could be said is that the folks at the Airstream Service Centre in Jackson Centre really set the standard in being Airstream ambassadors. They are second to none in hospitality and service – and could sure teach the rest of the industry a few lessons (if they cared to listen). We were down for some warranty work – were treated like royalty – and yes – got to meet another bunch of good Airstreamers.

I guess the point to this note is to say that we’re pretty impressed with the trailer – have thoroughly enjoyed all the good folks we’ve met as a result – and love being Airstream ambassadors.

So for now – it’s just kind of dreaming till the next trip … hmmm … Arizona in February? – maybe Texas?? ….

Happy Airstreaming,


Jay
__________________
Bambi - 2002 (The Toaster)
Pathfinder - 2009 (The Buggy)

"I'm not young enough to know everything ....."
(Oscar Wilde)
RangerJay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2004, 04:00 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
RivetED's Avatar
 
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
North Central Texas , USA
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,003
Quote:
Originally Posted by RangerJay
...So for now – it’s just kind of dreaming till the next trip … hmmm … Arizona in February? – maybe Texas?? ….

Happy Airstreaming,


Jay
The North Texas Airstream Community, NTAC, (our new home) has guest spots for 35+ 'visitors', & Airstreamers are always welcome... at a discount!
RivetED is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2004, 07:46 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Tin Hut's Avatar
 
2005 28' International CCD
Pagosa Springs , Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 811
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by RivetED
The North Texas Airstream Community, NTAC, (our new home) has guest spots for 35+ 'visitors', & Airstreamers are always welcome... at a discount!
NTAC, I heard about that place, lots of retired swingers, trailers bouncin' all over the place. You're not going to lure me down there.
__________________
"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"

Tin Hut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2004, 08:24 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
Big Dee's Avatar
 
2004 30' Classic
San Jose , California
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,664
Images: 24
Jay,

Absolutely right on, beautifully written post! Should be in Airstream Life. You've put to words the whole AS thing. I am sending this around.
__________________
"It's the journey."

NorCal Fall Rally, Jackson Rancheria, October 7-9 2011 Click here for more info

Come rally with us.
Big Dee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2005, 08:57 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
Tarheel's Avatar
 
2001 34' Limited S/O
Moyock , North Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,010
Images: 21
I'm glad you had a good experiece Jay, we have found the same to be true. We travel about 50% of the time with other Airstreamers and the other 1/2 alone. Its nice to be with old friends and a lot of fun meeing new ones.
__________________
Keep the shiny side up.
WBCCI # 348
Past Region 3 President
Past President Tidewater Unit 111
Rick Bell in "Silverbell"
Tarheel is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2005/2006 International Rallies Over59 WBCCI Rallies & Events 21 06-24-2004 10:55 AM
Where do you shop for Airstream stuff? cwbastian Commercial Listings 4 05-16-2004 01:30 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.