I don't think the issue here is whether anyone can afford a $3.00 bottle of water. The issue is whether EAA is going too far in squeezing the last drop of cash it's member have. I believe AirVenture has become beast with a voracious appetite. The bigger it gets the more money it needs. Everything that is created requires more and more money whether it is a program or a site. I was on Compass Hill and noted that it is in pretty bad shape. It costs money to maintain it and I saw only one other couple on it when I was there. I am sure the heat had a lot to do with that, but I have noted a lot of things deteriorating and in need of repair. The new Taj Mahal of showers on the North 40 is nice, but why not just another smaller one like the one the west end of the North 40?
The new North 40 Cafe is another thing with inflated prices. EAA is competing with local business like Friar Tucks, The Charcoal Pit, Hardees and more. I am sure EAA would like to close off the gate on that side so those in the North 40 can not get to those places. So much for "goodwill" with the local merchants. I can also tell you that the local people are not very happy with some of the personnel changes that have been made with EAA. If you don't believe me, go ask them yourself.
I have no problem with making profit. I am a conservative capitalist to the core, but AirVenture is a non-profit organization and should not be in competition with any local business and whatever food facilities that there are on the site should be more for convenience. Prohibiting vendors from giving something free, especially water, sounds like something conceived in Washington DC.
AirVenture, like everything else, must evolve or die. That is a law of nature, but I recall when EAA quit making the original blue and gold "Oshkosh" patch with the year of each even because they could not get a patent on the word Oshkosh I knew that "times were a-changin'." to the dismay of many who collected the patch each year. That was the year that I quit buying patches and pins. I am sure they didn't even notice.
Ice cream cones at $2.95. Ridiculous. I only had one a day this year. Too bad I can't smuggle ice cream in like I can a bottle of water.