SSA on the Road...Literally

Like many in the competition community, I'd occasionally been critical
of the SSA staff in the past not so much for not understanding what we
competition pilots do (sometimes it doesn't even make sense to me) but
for their apparent lack of interest even when we had contests across
the road from SSA HQ in Hobbs.

Well, the Standard Class Nationals were an eye opener. In addition to
their day jobs as SSA staffers, many in the office were seen early in
the mornings and after closing time volunteering for contest duties,
including helping host several great dinners. They also did a great
job opportunistically corralling younger crews into stuffing
envelopes, etc., during the rain.

Most gratifying, however, were the SSA staffers who headed out on
retrieves (of which there were many in this weather-plagued ordeal).
I'm embarrassed to admit I landed out three times. On two occasions my
not-yet-driving-age daughter arrived in our van driven by the husband
of SSA Chief Admin. Officer Denise Layton. Denise herself would have
come but she was on another retrieve each time.

Then on the last day, SSA Member Services specialist Donna Head
underwent a baptism by fire involving taking down three strands of
electrified barbed wire (with the farmer's permission), backing the
trailer through a ditch to overhang the field, and dragging the glider
across the furrows through brute force (stopping frequently to rest)
to get it to the trailer. She may not have had any experience on
retrieves before this (although she clearly had a lot of hours driving
a trailer) but she maintained her good humor vastly better than I did.
And she's well trained now!

Thanks, SSA staffers (and families), for going above and beyond. I
wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to see another contest in
Hobbs. That makes it even more remarkable to know that you've
committed to trying to have one there every year going forward.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

On Aug 16, 12:49*pm, Chip Bearden wrote:


She may not have had any experience on retrieves before this

Actually she had prior experience as her first ever retrieve was to
get me from a field North of Seminole on Day 2 (that wasn't because
not enough of us made min distance). I had the good fortune to have a
group of passing locals help get the glider to the edge of the field
before she arrived so, after her first drive with a glider trailer,
she only had to endure the first wing removal experience. It's good
to know she was willing to go out and do it again.

I'm sure I was just are grateful as you when she arrived though and
agree that the SSA staff support at that contest was exceptional.

Andy

On Aug 16, 12:49*pm, Chip Bearden wrote:
Like many in the competition community, I'd occasionally been critical
of the SSA staff in the past not so much for not understanding what we
competition pilots do (sometimes it doesn't even make sense to me) but
for their apparent lack of interest even when we had contests across
the road from SSA HQ in Hobbs.

Well, the Standard Class Nationals were an eye opener. In addition to
their day jobs as SSA staffers, many in the office were seen early in
the mornings and after closing time volunteering for contest duties,
including helping host several great dinners. They also did a great
job opportunistically corralling younger crews into stuffing
envelopes, etc., during the rain.

Most gratifying, however, were the SSA staffers who headed out on
retrieves (of which there were many in this weather-plagued ordeal).
I'm embarrassed to admit I landed out three times. On two occasions my
not-yet-driving-age daughter arrived in our van driven by the husband
of SSA Chief Admin. Officer Denise Layton. Denise herself would have
come but she was on another retrieve each time.

Then on the last day, SSA Member Services specialist Donna Head
underwent a baptism by fire involving taking down three strands of
electrified barbed wire (with the farmer's permission), backing the
trailer through a ditch to overhang the field, and dragging the glider
across the furrows through brute force (stopping frequently to rest)
to get it to the trailer. She may not have had any experience on
retrieves before this (although she clearly had a lot of hours driving
a trailer) but she maintained her good humor vastly better than I did.
And she's well trained now!

Thanks, SSA staffers (and families), for going above and beyond. I
wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to see another contest in
Hobbs. That makes it even more remarkable to know that you've
committed to trying to have one there every year going forward.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

Chip,

On behalf of the SSA staff, thank you for the super nice posting.
Everyone had a great time and enjoyed meeting new people and learning
more about contests. The retrieves were the topic of discussion for
weeks after the contest. We look forward to seeing you again next
year.