Recent Responses To ANN Editorial Comments Suggest AOPA Is 'Off-Mission'

A recent ANN editorial offering suggested that the once-mighty AOPA was out of step with the wants and needs of its current membership... and displayed a particular disconnect via the constant bombardment of those persons via commercial pitches and other money grabs. Intended to be somewhat humorous as well as a complaint about the fund-raising tactics of this organization, the story really set off a number of ANN readers -- who responded -- and responded -- many hundreds in total (and starting to look like the ultimate total may push 2000... with only ONE response (thus far-- and a pretty rude one, to boot) taking us to task for daring to criticize the organization -- which, frankly, surprised us.

Rather than opine any further; we think YOU should be heard most of all... here are just a few of the comments we received about the editorial that appeared, September, 22nd, 2010. And... as always YOUR continued comments, insights, and perspectives are not just welcome but strongly encouraged... keep your emails and other messages coming!

• From William W: I thoroughly enjoyed your "rant" on the state of the AOPA junk mailer. I think it goes further than that. I believe AOPA has lost perspective and is no longer an effective organization to be representing GA. The last straw for me is with their new "wine club". I'm not paying AOPA to run a wine club. I pay my membership dues that they can get things moving in the right direction for GA and this is simply not happening.
  I have removed my auto membership renewal, and will let me membership run out; at which point, I will no longer renew my membership with them. Thank you for bringing to light the unacceptable behavior of AOPA. They should be removed from representing GA's best interests.
• Rich S: Excellent article. It accurately mirrors my recent thinking about AOPA. But what else should we expect when the new AOPA leader is, or desires to remain as, a Washington power player and insider?
• Quinton H: Yes, AOPA is losing it. EAA does much more to promote general aviation and protect my rights as a pilot. After many years as a member of AOPA I have canceled my membership. Go EAA.
• Gilbert P: I agree. I got the one to donate to the PAC yesterday and promptly trashed it. I too have more important things for my elected representative to be worrying about rather then my flying rights.
  It seems since the new AOPA Pres. took over I have been deluged with 3rd class mail wanting more money and threatening my rights to fly. Enough is enough. I wonder is there is a way to opt out of the mailings short of not renewing my membership. (20 year AOPA member and only maybe 21 years).
• Bruce M: Look at the annual statements. The organization has run surpluses for years and amassed assets seemingly far beyond needs. This and expansion into activities such as a Wine Club looks like empire building. Oh yes, they just announced an increase in dues.
• Rick D: The fact that they are now charging for the AOPA airport directory that was always included with the membership AND raised the yearly dues is going to reduce there membership by at least one person.
• Jon H: I discontinued my AOPA membership years ago when I realized that AOPA offered me no real benefit. I could purchase non-owned insurance (back when I needed it) for less through other sources. My AOPA credit card which was supposed to save me money actually cost me a lot in fees and bloated interest rates. The magazine was the only thing that I actually enjoyed and that I could simply borrow from friends with AOPA memberships.
  I'm sure AOPA is fine organization, but I don't need the junk mail, the 23% interest rate on my credit card or AOPA to tell me how to vote.
• Paul S: This year I have not renewed my membership and will not. I am tired of the commercialism, too. Organizations must balance between growing members and increasing revenue. That is, there function should not be solely to maximize income versus sustaining a viable organization. By the way - keep up the good work @ aero! Seldom have I interpreted prejudice in your reporting.
• Erik L: Thanks for calling it like you see it Paul. Many of us feel that AOPA is out of touch or worse...
• Dave B: I agree 100% with what you said, and I'm really glad I'm not the only person on the planet who thinks that way. AOPA does a lot of good stuff. I support the AOPA PAC and AOPA ASF, and have for years. But they've lately turned down a bad path. I decided not to go to the "Aviation Summit" this year because of the direction that it has taken.
  The wine club is absurd. me things are not meant to be paired together. What they've done with planes and wine makes as much sense as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Matzo Ball mix or BP-branded Fish Sticks or having convicted sex offenders running a day care center. What are they going to do next time there is a drunk GA pilot?
  The big thing that makes me wonder whether I should continue to support AOPA or not is that they've got a business jet. They're a non-profit, constantly trying every angle to make a buck. As you rightly point out, their junk mail is frequent and is always in search of a check headed in their direction. Yet they continue to have (and to me extent flaunt) the fact that they have a business jet that eats thousands of dollars per hour. I fly a 1979 Mooney, and often fly Southwest instead of my plane because it is just much more cost-efficient. We're in a recession and a lot of GA pilots can't afford to fly at all even in a cheap 152. AOPA should go get a mid-70s 172 and fly like the rest of us do. Yeah, I know I can't blame Fuller for this, as Boyer had the plane. But times change, and organizations need to examine what is "right" within the context of the current environment. If you REALLY need money to defend GA, why can't they make the logical decision that many corporations have made?
  AOPA needs to stop drinking the fine wine and flying around in their expensive corporate plane at my expense or they might find my renewal next year is missing. They need a GA tea party, as the leadership is out of touch with reality of those paying the bills.
  Thank you for being a journalist and asking the hard questions!
• Larry S: You forgot the junque mail telling me my airplane insurance is about to expire and to get it thru AOPA. (I made the mistake of telling them when it expires).
  I, too, am strongly considering if AOPA is a ponzi-scheme or an organization representing rank-and-file GA drivers v. those driving around in turbine airplanes. I know it isn't but the junk mail issue IS of concern.
• James S: I am very disappointed at the direction the AOPA appears to be heading under the new (current) leadership. It appears that the primary interest of the current management is finding additional methods of raising funds to support it's friends (all of the additional staff and new departments).
• Robbie C: Hell yes they are losing it! Perfect timing. Add to your complaint their Christmas card offers. This year, in July, we began receiving letters from AOPA with offers for Christmas cards. In July. And again in August and September.
  I think we have 4 saved for Craig Fuller now. I have contacted AOPA about this very issue previously, and while I am no tree hugger, I can tell you - AOPA does not get the message.
• John M: Having been a member of AOPA for over 30 years, AARP for 10 years, EAA for 25 years, NRA for 40 years, I think you may be losing it dear publisher. Speaking of "sheeple" you seem to be myopic in your views also. Everyone, candidates, politicians, every alphabet organization, boys clubs, girls clubs, YMCA, AC/DC and gay rights folks…. ALL WANT MY MONEY. So, who gives a flip!? YOU!? Why do you care about me? Just what have YOU done for me…..nothing. Nothing at all. BUT, even with all the hype and pitch for money, the AOPA sure as hell has kept my sorry butt flying. I flew with my father off of the grass at Schenectady Co. airport in the 50s. I flew a cub solo at 16. I saw how knee jerk reactions from moron politicians nearly ended general aviation after the Cerritos midair. And now, under the guise of "national security" the idiots in TSA would love to ground all private flying.
  The AOPA as most of the alphabet groups, are the ONLY way the lunatics in Washington will listen to me. If not for AMA (American Modelers Association), AARP, AOPA, EAA, or ANY organization of folks with like mind set, we could not protect ourselves from the elite, disgustingly wealthy, narcissistic lunatics in Washington. So we must band together to make a unified front. I recall Bill Clinton and then our hero Obama call for an end to the government being influenced by "special interest groups." Just who are "special interest groups?" ME! I'm a special interest group! So is my wife, a teacher, my doctor, my tax accountant, my dentist. All belong to or sign up with a special interest group. People who must band together to be noticed by politicians are "special interest groups." So when the politicians preach…"end the special interest group influence in Washington" what they are saying is …end listening to the people.
  And, dear publisher (who ever you really may be) it takes cash. Policy in Washington is run on money, nothing else. There are no noble politicians, no noble goals based on right, justice, and the American way as we saw on Super Man. Money talks, noble causes walk. So, yeah, I get flyers, mailings, etc. for this and for that. Who gives a damn, AOPA does work for me and they are effective. Otherwise the United States would be one, big, freakin Class B airspace where only the money grubbing airlines fly. So, get your myopic head out of your butt and look at the big picture….try it ….you'll like it. Oh one more thing. So you had never known that aviation advocacy and alcohol sales were an appropriate mix, huh? Well, sex in the white house oval office, corruption in politics, and narrow-minded editors and aviation publications mix, so why not wine & aviation advocacy? Just because I like a really nice glass of wine with my fish, does that mean I fly drunk? I mean..just how stupid is that kind of thinking? Wait….you've already demonstrated that. G'day
• Kenneth R: For me AOPA lost its path several years ago. I haven't been a member for 4 years, since my plane was totaled in a runaway taxi accident by some jerk that didn't check his brakes before he started his engine.
  AOPA seems to be totally focused on the wealthy pilots that can still afford the latest and greatest gadgets and aircraft. In my world they are irrelevant. I closed my avionics business 2 years ago due to the economic downturn, and I no longer fly. I don't even care to renew my medical. This, after a 40 year career of business and personal flying.
• Todd A: Thanks for putting this in writing, because it's exactly what I've been thinking for quite awhile.
• Greg S: I did contact AOPA when they came out with their "wine club". I told them I felt it was inappropriate for them to be pushing wine sales. Not that I don't mind a nice glass of wine or two, but where does their effort to raise money stop? They'll end up like the EAA, where they have to raffle off the keys to the farm to feed the cash cow to pay for a bunch of programs that have minimum appeal.
• Gerald D: Yes, this wine club thing is about the last straw.
• Lisa S: In addition to all the other issued, you missed mentioning the AOPA Christmas card sales packages which encourage you to select from about 10 different full-size holiday cards with aircraft/holiday themes. The package requires half a tree to produce and one year I received no less than six of these packages of cards. I think AOPA is selling its member list or "sharing" it with business partners for a fee. I no longer pay for an AOPA membership - why should I if they are going to sell me out?
  Those lists have become profit centers and many companies (banks, insurers, retailers, etc.) inform you that they will share your information with their "business partners" unless you opt out. The problem is that the business partners turn out to be half the world. I let my membership in AARP membership lapse as well because I got tired of receiving mountains of junk mail from their so-called business partners.
  It just seems wrong for organizations to which I pay membership fees to profit from the private information with which I have entrusted them.
• John D: the NRA is even worse. I get weekly appeals to save my second amendment rights for only 25/50/75/ or 100 dollars. I am a life member too. Its getting really bad and my recycle can is getting really full. I no longer send money to ANYONE. Who knows where its really going. Some of the organizations are set up only to try to get donations and I think they are
  just scams. I don't have time to figure out who they are. I am taking the simplistic approach.
• Marty: I listened to the 9.20 Aero-Briefing and heard your segment about AOPA. I have to say I agree with it, and have some extra comments, as well. I've always been annoyed by their constant nagging to renew that seems to start about a week after I renew. That, and the bushels of junk mail I get from "others" that are obviously sourced from AOPA.
  About three months before my due date I started getting calls on my business line from an unknown 800 number. I don't answer those calls, since it is usually telemarketers. If they don't leave a message, I don't call back. It got to the point where this same 800 number was calling three times a day, every day. Finally I called it back and it was some outsourced call center trying to get me to renew my AOPA membership three months early.
  To add icing to the cake, I leave you with this. When I asked AOPA about what they were doing about the disastrous legislation passed in California that will kill general aviation, they said contact their California liaison. I contacted that person, who said they were doing "something" about it, and sent me a link. The link was to an article on AOPA's website that said "AOPA, NBAA (and some other alphabet groups) were 'taking action'".
  What action? Any specific examples? Any way we can help? Isn't this what AOPA is supposed to do, or are they too busy pre-selling the bottom line and pimping the mailing lists to care?

FMI: IS AOPA Losing It? What Do YOU Think?