wrote in message
ups.com...

RST Engineering wrote:
I'm prejudiced. Of course I'm prejudiced.

I used to be a big warbird fan until I joined the Confederate (back
then) Air Force. Once they had my money it seemed like things changed.
It felt as though my only reason for being there was to milk my money
and labor to offset the operating costs so arrogant airline pilots
could continue to play with (and occasionally crack up) irreplaceable
antique military "toys". Even as a full member I wasn't allowed
to tour any of "their" aircraft at any shows without forking out
the "donation" like any other Joe Blow off the street. I felt like
I got suckered into some kind of religious cult. I get to toil in the
fields all day and give all my earnings, and worship, to the
"church" so those at the top could live like "gods". Now I've
turned into one of those bleeding heart conservationist types who feels
that the planes should be kept from flying (in museums) before some
"hot shots" eventually destroy them all. I was much happier before
I got too close to what was going on. Of course, that's just me.

Jim

That's funny; I never have known things like this to be true, and I go WAY
back with some of these folks.
Most of the people who join the CAF do so in the spirit of backing the
organization. The "benefits" were never meant to be your prime reason for
joining. They are there of course and plainly stated for you before you join
the organization.

As for paying at the shows, there is nothing that I know about that says you
have a get in free card anywhere but the museum when you join the CAF, even
with a full membership....or a life membership for that matter. I could be
mistaken however. It's been a long time.
As for the "airline pilots crashing the hardware"; do you actually believe
that your donation qualifies you to have a say on who flies what and when in
the CAF?
Frankly, from what I just read from you, if I were still in the CAF, I'd
make it a point to see to it that you were refunded your money as quickly as
possible and thank you for your "precipitation" as I opened the door for you
to leave :-)
Dudley Henriques
ex- P51 Mustang
(Just an old friend of the CAF)