First of all let me point out that there is a question mark in the thread title. I am simply stating a question and looking for feedback and interesting discussion while I sit at the apartment on call.
My take on it is that AOPA promotes flying in general, and that they have at the very least attempted to keep flying affordable and as unregulated in the USA as possible. Some things like insurance, gas prices, etc are out of there hands. However, sometimes I think they go too far. I love flying, but this career is all about timing. My commercial check ride was scheduled just after September 11th. For that reason I come from a generation of pilots that had to pay some dues. It wasn't Commercial Multi and off to a jet you go back then. I don't come from alot of money, and what I have I have earned. Paying back my student loans is what keeps me "WAY2BROKE." It was my choice to become a pilot and it was my choice to take out loans to do so. I understand that. For once I would like to see AOPA write about the sacrifices that one must go through to become a pilot. Give the 19 year old kid real idea of what he is getting himself into. Write a article about ways to keep flying as exciting as it was when you first signed up for flight training? How about a article about how some people still enjoy flying a six pack? Or a article about financing your flight training econimically? Or how to deal with fatigue in a real world way? Or alternative ways to become a professional pilot besides going to some large academy. You get my drift... be a little more honest.
Oh let me say this before I go on, I work with a 250 hour commercial straight to a jet type guy. And let me tell ya his enthusiasm, and down right excitement about going to work is very refreshing. He loves his job! I get so sick of every cockpit conversation turning into I hate this, I hate that. I've read more than one CVR that gos from complaining about work to a crash in 5 minutes. There is nothing wrong with being happy people!!!
Okay carrying on......
I am against outrageous user fees but AOPA is against ANY user fee. The proposed user fees that they are raising such a stink over is per flight and would be somewhere in the ball park of 25 dollars per flight and would only affect turbine powered aircraft. If you are in GA and have the money to own a turbine powered aircraft I don't think that 25 dollars is going to change rather or not you take that flight down to Florida. In the whole scheme of things this really does not amount to much. AOPA's stance is that user fees are about being a tax break for airlines. I don't think that is true as most airlines pay landing fees and service fees much higher than GA planes in general. And even if it is a "tax break" as a professional pilot I don't see what is wrong with my company getting a "tax break." After all if my company makes more money than in theory I have more job security.
I don't mind the magazine, but what I do mind is the renewal notices that start 6 months before my membership is up and they come frequently. I actually enjoy the weekly e-mail magazine more than the paper version, but thats just personal preference. It just seems that they waste alot of money on things like mailing that would be better off spent lobbying to keep airports open and for funding for airports. Lets not kid ourselves here, my annual membership doesn't make them any money, all the ads in the magazine makes them the money they use to power the Washington powerhouse.
Am I happy that AOPA exsists? Of course. Do I think its resources could be better used? Definitely.
Hmmm... well that was a bit of a rant and I am sure I left things out but maybe that better illustrates my point? What ya think YIP? Understand where I am coming from now? I value others opinions so have at it.
I have fun while at work doing my job but I have not flown "for fun" in about 3 years because I don't have the resources to do so. Want to take me up for a joyride sometime YIP? It would make my day.
