Potential $300 increase in contest fees?

Reading the latest Rules Committee meeting minutes I see item number 14 slips a "tax" in the rules. $50 charge by waiver for any contest pilot showing up without a crew. Note it is $50 PER DAY!

This was not included in the pilot poll, we currently have a sanctioning fee surplus, the minutes state that almost all of the 2012 contests reported a profit.

Is it productive to increase contest fees by $300 for participants? Will this create more or less participation in regionals? Is there really an unbearable burden placed on contest organizers when it comes to crewless pilots?

As an active contest pilot with a wife that participates 50% of the time I have found that my "friend pool" has done an effective job of retrieving for each other. We make the required call to the retrieve office but in reality we arrange our own retrieves.

If you feel that the $300 "tax" is unwarranted please voice your opinion.

Lane
XF