Aviation Fraternity or Snobbery?

[24 carat]

I was lucky enough to visit AOPA Expo in Palm Springs last weekend. Although I had a good time (interesting seminars), there wasn't much of a collective feeling, like the fraternity of aviators or something like that. I tried on several occasions to strike up a conversation but was always met with very curt answers. I was not looking for major conversations or in depth analysis, just a friendly chat, you know, like on the local airport. And last time I checked I did not have a major zit protruding from my nose.

Are we turning into snobs, too good to talk to each other because my airplane is bigger/faster/more expensive than yours? Please tell me this is not the case.

 

[MFRskyknight]

Unfortunately, I get the very same feeling. With a few exceptions, reading the magazine gives me the impression that none of the authors and/or members featured in there would be all too genuinely interested in anything I have to say.

Which is fine, since I feel similarly about the subjects of their articles: the writing is redundant and painfully inoffensive, the humor is tepid, and they always seem slightly detached from reality.

Just my POV though.

 

[nosehair]

to visit AOPA Expo in Palm Springs

Hey! You're in Palm springs...whaddaya expect??

 

[JediNein]

The place to strike up a conversation is during the lunches and dinners, preferably one of the 'other organizations' dinners. On the convention floor, there are too many people trying to see too many exhibits in too short of a time and space.

I had a great time at the Cirrus Owners & Pilots Assocation Dinner. We took over the Kaiser Grill and talked from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. The president of the company was there, along with at least one of the founders, a whole host of salespeople, and tables full of owners. Some of us would rotate tables as the conversations shifted and people wore out, finally ending up with just two tables. We were still yaking on our way out the door.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Shiny Side Up]

It wasn't just you, 24K.
I felt like everyone was just too cool to give me the time of day at expo.
The sales guys on the floor certainly seemed to have an attitude.

 

[siucavflight]

AOPA has become a joke, Phil Boyer does a lot of lip moving, but very little of it has any substance, I am done with them.

 

[Shiny Side Up]

AOPA has become a joke, Phil Boyer does a lot of lip moving, but very little of it has any substance, I am done with them.

I don't think thats the case at all.
If it weren't for AOPA I think we would be seeing user fees out the a$$ and a lot more airport closures.

My beef is with the ******************************-bag sales guys sizing you up to see if your net worth warrants even a grunt and a head nod.

 

[Fugawe]

Why worry about AOPA, or any other 'club' if you want flying camraderie?

You know this -- but, just go to an airport, or find guys hanging around airplanes if you want to talk flying.

Expos and such have a purpose, but what do you expect from a bunch of self-important wannabes hanging around a booth in their polo shirts? They're trolling for memberships and for someone to stroke their egos.

Fugawe

 

[agpilot34]

AOPA has become a joke, Phil Boyer does a lot of lip moving, but very little of it has any substance, I am done with them.

Well, I dont see ANY other organizations stepping up and supporting GA. What have YOU done for your profession lately??

 

[mee]

i get the same feel, some pilots think they are God's gift to humanity. Its just a job. chelax

 

[G2T]

I think the Expos are the wrong place to go to find friendly conversation, there is too much business going on. Go to Sun'nFun or Oshkosh and camp next to your airplane. You will be assured friendly conversation. We flew into Oshkosh and camped there a couple of years ago and met more people than I knew what to do with.

 

[A Squared]

Well, I dont see ANY other organizations stepping up and supporting GA.

EAA


And they have a much better magazine.

 

[Way2Broke]

I think AOPA has its place in the world. I keep my pre-paid legal with them and the 1(800) number is great for getting questions answered (I just wish they kept longer hours). I went to the expo one year, and I can relate to your concerns. But look at it this way, those vendors paid big bucks to set up at the Expo and they want to get a return out of their investment. My biggest complaint about AOPA is all the junk mail I get from them. It seems to me if they did not send a renewal notice ever other day they could save alot of money and do things like keep small airports open.

 

[wrxpilot]

I don't think thats the case at all.
If it weren't for AOPA I think we would be seeing user fees out the a$$ and a lot more airport closures.

My beef is with the ******************************-bag sales guys sizing you up to see if your net worth warrants even a grunt and a head nod.

I've definitely had different experiences at Sun-n-Fun (I know, EAA not AOPA). But the same sales guys I'm sure. The first year I went (2004) was when I was just a poor, mid-20s student pilot. I have to say the a/c salesman were very nice to me. Talked with me, allowed me to tour the a/c as long as I wanted (and they weren't hovering over me). I'm not talking about the kitplanes either... Citations, Gulfstreams, etc. The only company that kinda blew us off was Diamond. The pilots at Sun-n-Fun all seemed friendly to me too, like the aviation fraternity feeling you're talking about.

Have you ever been to a boat show in Ft. Lauderdale or Palm Beach? That's where the snobs are (salesman and show visitors). I was treated VERY rudely by pretty much everybody at the Palm Beach boat show.

 

[wrxpilot]

Expos and such have a purpose, but what do you expect from a bunch of self-important wannabes hanging around a booth in their polo shirts? They're trolling for memberships and for someone to stroke their egos.

Fugawe

I have NEVER experienced that kind of attitude from anybody at AOPA, whether it be at a show, safety seminar, talking to them on the phone, or exchanging emails with Phil Boyer himself. I wish I could say the same about some of the other associations I'm part of. AOPA is far above any of them in value, service, and effectiveness IMO.