Anybody else notice...
...how much more expensive AOPA "benefits" have become since Phil Boyer left? Well, after today it struck me that it's getting expensive to maintain both a basic membership and to sustain the previously-much-vaulted "Member Benefits" -- bennies for decades included in that $39.95/year membership.
The first change to catch my attention came in the form of the AOPA Medical Services Desk; for years, the advice and assistance of that desk's staff was a member benefit, all inclusive...now what's free is a basic Q&A service, mostly Web based, it seems, with links that still help people find an AME, check drug eligibility and such; but the complex stuff for which we generally need expert help to retain or restore medical certificates is only available through one of two levels of fee-for-service programs. Humm....OK...
What irked me first was the announcement making it sound like AOPA was creating this bold new effort on behalf of members...YEAH! Maybe they're making it better...
Knowing full well that such a benefit had long existed, it floored me, upon reading further, that this wonderful "new" program required more money: either "just $37 a year" for the base Essential Medical Services Program or, if I wanted the full-up Comprehensive Program it "is offered for $99."
OK...free before, a hundred bucks now...
Today it happened again. It came in my e-mail box, an AOPA invitation to reserve my print copy of "AOPA Airports." That thick, phone-book like document has had a place in flight bags for decades -- courtesy of AOPA's Member Benefits program that boasted how much more value existed in those benefits than the cost of membership. Ordering before a certain date assures me of "free shipping" -- but requires a member to also pony up $19.95 -- $39.95 for non-members...
OK, I understand that printing is expensive -- even on cheap phone-book-like paper; I understand that the product is now available in electronic form...that form will be cold comfort sitting somewhere with no electricity, no internet and no hard copy to leaf through looking for a better airport...and must admit, I'm not really a devotee of activating an electronic device for every question or need -- particularly when I'm traveling...I liked having a choice of how to receive my "Member Benefit"...now I have a choice between what's cheapest for the association and what's preferable to me -- for $19.95, shipping free if...yaddayaddayadda...
This trend is distressing.
Sorry, old AOPA Friends, but the appeal of belonging to this admirable association is shrinking; it remains justifiable for supporting AOPA advocacy; but embracing "member benefits" is getting too expensive to justify and another association is looking like a better place for my bucks.
What do you all think? Is "Pilot" magazine juicy enough for you to pony up the money for it alone (presuming print copies remain a "Member Benefit")? Do you maintain membership out of a sense of allegiance to the General Aviation Cause -- even if you seldom crack the magazine?
Is the luster of AOPA membership tarnishing under the seemingly increasing need for green? Let me know...makes me sort of curious about whether it's just the curmudgeon in me...
But right now, a line the actor John Vernon uttered in the movie "The Outlaw Jody Wales" is playing in my head -- a line about, well, legs and rain...and right now here in The Air Capital, the sky is clear...
-- Dave
The first change to catch my attention came in the form of the AOPA Medical Services Desk; for years, the advice and assistance of that desk's staff was a member benefit, all inclusive...now what's free is a basic Q&A service, mostly Web based, it seems, with links that still help people find an AME, check drug eligibility and such; but the complex stuff for which we generally need expert help to retain or restore medical certificates is only available through one of two levels of fee-for-service programs. Humm....OK...
What irked me first was the announcement making it sound like AOPA was creating this bold new effort on behalf of members...YEAH! Maybe they're making it better...
Knowing full well that such a benefit had long existed, it floored me, upon reading further, that this wonderful "new" program required more money: either "just $37 a year" for the base Essential Medical Services Program or, if I wanted the full-up Comprehensive Program it "is offered for $99."
OK...free before, a hundred bucks now...
Today it happened again. It came in my e-mail box, an AOPA invitation to reserve my print copy of "AOPA Airports." That thick, phone-book like document has had a place in flight bags for decades -- courtesy of AOPA's Member Benefits program that boasted how much more value existed in those benefits than the cost of membership. Ordering before a certain date assures me of "free shipping" -- but requires a member to also pony up $19.95 -- $39.95 for non-members...
OK, I understand that printing is expensive -- even on cheap phone-book-like paper; I understand that the product is now available in electronic form...that form will be cold comfort sitting somewhere with no electricity, no internet and no hard copy to leaf through looking for a better airport...and must admit, I'm not really a devotee of activating an electronic device for every question or need -- particularly when I'm traveling...I liked having a choice of how to receive my "Member Benefit"...now I have a choice between what's cheapest for the association and what's preferable to me -- for $19.95, shipping free if...yaddayaddayadda...
This trend is distressing.
Sorry, old AOPA Friends, but the appeal of belonging to this admirable association is shrinking; it remains justifiable for supporting AOPA advocacy; but embracing "member benefits" is getting too expensive to justify and another association is looking like a better place for my bucks.
What do you all think? Is "Pilot" magazine juicy enough for you to pony up the money for it alone (presuming print copies remain a "Member Benefit")? Do you maintain membership out of a sense of allegiance to the General Aviation Cause -- even if you seldom crack the magazine?
Is the luster of AOPA membership tarnishing under the seemingly increasing need for green? Let me know...makes me sort of curious about whether it's just the curmudgeon in me...
But right now, a line the actor John Vernon uttered in the movie "The Outlaw Jody Wales" is playing in my head -- a line about, well, legs and rain...and right now here in The Air Capital, the sky is clear...
-- Dave
posted by Dave Higdon at
5:18 PM
7 Comments:
hi dave,
All reasonable questions... so let me address each quickly, but start with these two statements:
1. The pilot population is changing, and AOPA is being asked to deliver a very different set of services than in the past. As new ones come up, others may disappear. The market (members) guide this evolution.
2. Member dues account for only 1/3 of the Association's operating budget. "Member benefits" are largerly subsidized by third parties. Case in point, the printed directory was paid for in major part by the companies that advertised in it. Ad revenues are down dramatically this year, making a printed airport directory a very expensive proposition. Now, there's an app for that, and it updates every 56 days.
OK, other items...
Medical Services - the same support is available through PIC. Just ask. The plan is much like the legal services plan. If you need an expert to walk you through medical certification process, the plan provides that very valuable and time consuming support. It comes with other benies. Up to you whether they meet your needs.
AOPA Airports and Flight Planner - these applications are growing in scope and capability. Check out Airports. Try the flight planner. Have a look at the weather - all under flight planning.
ePilot and eBrief - our electronic publications continue to grow in popularity and scope. Subscribe. Enjoy.
AOPA Live - we alrady have nearly 600 video titles in archive, including multimedia additions to Pilot articles. New titles and viewer upgrades are on the way. Join us live at Airventure and Summit. Explore!
Yes, we're making some changes, but they are driven my member needs and market expectations. The print directory is one change we've weighed very carefully over the past 18 months. Market forces were a major factor in our decision to change how we handle the directory. The iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile app is the member benefit (and a very, very popular one). We've moved our focus there. But we also know that an important minority values the printed edition, so we're offering it at a reasonable price - we'll take a fresh look at it early next year... we have lots of ideas how we can keep this product current, relevant, and valuable to those who prefer paper.
Thanks, not so short and quick as I hoped.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the reply. Good information.
Just for clarity, can you tell us are an AOPA staffer? and informed member? something else?
Thanks again.
-- Jack
AOPA Staffer. I am the VP of ePublishing.
Chris:
Thanks for stopping in. Around here somewhere, I have a 30-year AOPA pin to go with my six-digit membership number. I'm hoping to make it to 40, but I have to say I agree with several of Higs' points.
I *get* the economics have changed. I *get* the pilot population and AOPA member demographics have changed.
That said, the perception out here in the field -- and not just among UCAP talkers and listeners, believe me -- is that AOPA is acting in a manner designed to best suit the organization, not its members. Recent examples include those Higs highlighted, as well as an apparent dropping of the ball on the FCC ELT thing and a muddled approach to replacing 100LL. We can argue into the long hours where that line should be drawn, but there it is. And it's not going away.
It comes down to "What have you done for me lately?" The perception is not much, while doing a lot to ensure the organization's profitability and success. The two are not synonymous.
Lastly: It's really great you're porting the AOPA Directory to the iPhone/WinMobile/BB. How about an Android version?
Jeb
Jeb,
Android is definitely on the drawing board. I have high hopes that Steve Jobs is about to suffer a competitive (low) blow that we'll really heat up the tablet market, and I'd like to be right on top of it.
As for decisions made in favor of the Association exclusive of its members... this is a danger every mature organization has to deal with. I'll leave it at this... the healthier the organization, the better we can speak with your voice. We're constantly looking for the balance - strong, quick, responsive, flexible.
That said, we depend you your voices to guide us. Raise them. We listen.
OC
Dave, I have stopped and pondered this question you raise. Chris - thank you for taking the time to respond in such detail.
I still feel that a few benefits are worth my small annual investment in AOPA. 1) The magazine 2) The online airports directory 3) The Flight Planner.
I will have to admit - IF the Flight Planner were to go away or become a *for charge* item... I would personally not renew.
--Eric Peterson
Condolences...
For those yet to hear, Chris O'Callaghan, the gentleman with AOPA who provided the association's thoughtful responses to my original post here, died Wednesday (Aug. 4) in a mid-air collision with another sailplane after completing his run in the Soaring Society of America 15 Meter National contest in Uvalde, Texas.
Chris' responses were well-reasoned and politely delivered, as we'd expect from a professional working at the level of vice president of eMedia at AOPA, an organization we respect, even at moments when we may disagree. AOPA reported his demise today in its daily Aviation eBrief.
Our deepest condolences to Chris O'Callaghan's family and his colleagues in Frederick.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home