Parking Problems at Oshkosh
While I and my friends had a great time at Oshkosh this year there were some problems. Especially with the parking Nazi. She was truly something. I was polite , friendly, courteous, and patient. She was none of the above. She gave a very poor representation of the spirit of EAA. I was upset enough by her behaviour that I went to the registration building and lodged a complaint with a gentleman , who informed me that I was the 9th complaint that morning concerning this individual. He further told me that he had received numerous complaints about her the day before as well, and had spoken with the higher ups including a VP , and felt that his concerns had been " Blown OFF ". He plainly stated that he had done all that he could, and unfortunately expected nothing to come of it. It turns out that this young lady was purported to be the daughter of one of the people in charge of aircraft parking. While I understand that not all of the people she came into contact with would be as friendly and polite as I was, I would suggest that starting a conversation about a problem by ranting and raving is probably not going to get the best reaction. There were many other people in the north forty who had similar experiences with her over the course of the event. She was really peeved that someone had authorised us to park in an area that she did not want us to be. We had proper registration and were in a numbered lane which was a proper parking area. What really made me mad was that, as she left she was yelling that " She would personally gaurantee that we would not be parking there next year ! "
I am very disturbed that we will not be allowed to camp with our friends next year. That is a big part of the event , to spend time with your friends ! If we are forced to be spread all over the grounds then what is the point. Surely there must be a way to accomodate groups that come in at different times. The gentleman at the registration building suggested that If I felt strongly about the matter, I should contact a Vice President or Mr Hightower. I left several messages at the main headquarters building requesting a call from Mr Hightower. To date I have heard nothing !. I realise that Mr. Hightower is a very busy man and I truly did not expect a call from him during Oshkosh. Enough time has now passed that beleive he has had time to " Catch Up "
Mr Hightower , I again ask for a moment of your time to discuss the concerns of myself and my friends.
Randy Powell
EAA # 820213
Parking and the EAA spirit
In keeping with the braggadocio of some of the posters in this group. *I too have been coming to Airventure/Oshkosh since 1984, the year I soloed just after my 16th birthday. *I missed a few years when I was overseas in Rwanda, Africa, flying relief-aide and working with orphans. *I too was married at Airventure in forum pavilion number 5 and hope to establish a fund to get it decent sponsorship for perpetuity. *I have flown 330+ Young Eagles (one at a time, with each one getting to sit in the left seat of my Cessna 120) *I fly a Beech 18, a Cessna 120 that has had it's story printed in Vintage Magazine, and am building a Pitts S1-SSIt is unfortunate that *people would make the comparison between a Nazi and a hard working EAA person. *Really? *Do the participants, in this forum condone the reference to a regime that was truly oppressive and was responsible for World War II and millions of deaths? *I for one don't! *I think it is an utter disregard to the brave men and women who faced the Nazi regime and fought for true freedom.But to the issue of parking problems.... *Those who post here likely have not had to experience the disappointment of being turned away, or hearing on the ATIS that the North 40 is full. *There are many legitimate reasons someone might arrive "late" -* I am in the medical field. *I trade Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years to get this week in July off. *Sometimes someone's grandma gets sick in the ICU and I have to make sure she is taken care of before I leave,* making me late to the show...The field did not close to GAC single engine planes this year. *Yeah! *(Yes I know heavy aircraft were restricted due to field conditions). *For the most part everyone who wanted to camp in the north 40 could. *That is something we should be GLAD *about. *With more hangars going up on the north side of the field, GAC camping is losing spots each year. (fortunately VAC is letting spam cans in, which is OK with me, it just makes my planes look better). *I believe that one of the reasons we came close to, but did not fill, was that a LARGE majority of pilots come to Oshkosh because they love airplanes and know they will be sleeping either on rocks or in water but will get to meet neighbors who love airplanes. Those who appreciate the priviledge of flying into the show, scrunch their tents up close the the plane to make room for a friendly neighbor/EAAer. *THAT is the EAA spirit I grew up with. *"Think about the other guy" - when a pilot gets stuck at my airport because of weather, I'll push my airplane further back into the corner and leave my car or truck out in the rain to make space. *The name calling and staking of tradition is not true EAA spirit.* However, if you insist on tradition, I think if Paul were to have it his way, there would be a hell of a lot less alcohol on the field. Real EAA tradition is to help each other enjoy aviation.By the way, a link to the brief camper guidelines:* http://www.airventure.org/planning/a...camping.htmlTo solve the problem, be considerate of everyone on the field and everyone who hopes to make it to KOSH. *Becareful of what you say, don't call someone a Nazi and then expect to exchange pleasentries. Always read the NOTAM and the Camping rules. *Volunteer !!!! * I volunteered about 50 hours that week working only on understaffed shifts. We can always use more help.I can't wait for next year. *Will there be less space to park airplanes? *Will the field fill? *Will more spam cans have to camp in vintage?