[VAL] Airstream, Inc., WBCCI, and VAC

[John Sellers <sellersj@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Gang,

I would like to add my two cents worth to the last few days'
free-floating discussion--and sometimes complaining--about Airstream's
marketing philosophy, WBCCI, and VAC.  I haven't addressed this as a
reply to any specific posts since it will touch on several.

AIRSTREAM

All I know about Airstream is from personal contact with them during
service visits, plant tours, and last year's Homecoming Rally.   (They
are only about 60 miles up the road from us.) My conclusion from these
experiences is that Airstream is a company whose customer relations are
so good as be practically unbelievable.

When I called the factory service department to see if they would be
willing to replace the aging Dura-Torque axle on our 1960 Pacer they
said, "Sure.  Bring it up and we'll take a look at it."  When we got
there the service writer took a look under the trailer and said, "No
problem", and wrote an estimate for the cost of a new axle, a pair of
new shocks, and only four hours labor.  We had to leave the trailer for
a few weeks (this was in January, 2004) since Henschen had to make a new
axle to dimensions, but Airstream did the job without batting an
eyelash, and did it for the estimated price.

I had the distinct impression that Airstream does not distinguish
between vintage Airstreams and others.  If Airstream made it, they'll
fix it, to the best of their ability.  When we dropped off the '60 Pacer
to have the axle replaced, we took the factory tour.  I mentioned to the
tour guide that we had a 1960 model and when we walked from the service
department over to the factory, he cheerfully pointed out a 1953 trailer
that was in for an upgrade of all the systems.  One young couple with us
on that tour was there to see their trailer being built.  I'm sure they
received the impression that they were making a long term investment. 
Offhand, I can't think of any other manufacturer that routinely repairs
vehicles that they manufactured half a century ago.

I was surprised to hear Patti Raimondo's story of being told that the
factory couldn't fix her Pearl, resulting in her breaking down in the
service manager's office.  Maybe Patti's tears single-handedly changed
Airstream's policy toward working on the older units.  If so, we all owe
you a great debt of gratitude, Patti.  Wouldn't be the first time a good
cry has changed history, I guess. . .  I suspect that Pearl was the
trailer that the tour guide pointed out to us.

Last year's Airstream Homecoming Rally was great, and we plan to be
there again this year.  I wouldn't want anyone to get the idea that
WBCCI was given short shrift.  As Scott Scheuermann pointed out, the
first row looked like it had been reserved for high level WBCCI
officers.  Dick Riegel chaired brief after-lunch and after-dinner
presentations in the main tent, and WBCCI officers were recognized, and
several spoke.  If there was any rift between Airstream, Inc. and WBCCI,
it wasn't evident at the Homecoming Rally.  (From my WBCCI directory,
Dick and Amanda Riegel are WBCCI #42, by the way.)

I was surprised to learn that the Homecoming Rally is not a new thing. 
Airstream held them until around 1980 when they stopped for one reason
or another.  They would like to re-institute the tradition.  They run it
as a very public-spirited thing, spreading the catering among all the
caterers and restaurants in the area, and giving Airstream employees and
Jackson Center residents a chance to meet Airstream's customers.  And
conversely, to give us Airstream owners a chance to meet the people who
build the Airstreams.  The expression "one big, happy family" is
trite--and seldom true--but it's a pretty good description of the
Homecoming Rally.

Airstream president Dick Riegel was circulating around the rally most of
the time, available for conversation with anyone who wanted to talk with
him.  Early one morning he was driving around the campground in a John
Deere Gator, serving coffee to all comers out of urns in the back. 
Where else are you going to get that kind of customer service?!

WBCCI and VAC

I was surprised to hear the statement that WBCCI is "perceived as a
bunch of ex-military guys", but I guess it shouldn't come as a
surprise.  It's a matter of simple demographics.  Folks born after about
1960 may not be aware that those of us males who were born earlier faced
something called "universal military service", more commonly called The
Draft.  So, given WBCCI's age distribution, we *are* a bunch of
"ex-military guys".

But I doubt that's the source of the "perception".  That would be the
WBCCI's traditional pomp and ceremony at rallies, including reciting of
the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the national anthems of countries
officially represented, and trooping the colors.  But these aren't
military ceremonies-these were things folks born pre-1960 grew up with
in grade school, back before the ACLU saved us from these practices.
(I don't get very excited one way or the other about the phrase
"under God"in the Pledge of Allegiance, because I remember when it
was added.  It was somewhat controversial at the time.)       

I hope traditions like the opening ceremonies won't discourage anyone
from attending and enjoying WBCCI rallies.  Attendance isn't mandatory
at *anything* at a WBCCI rally (with the possible exception of Happy
Hour).  Me, I usually attend the opening ceremonies for the sake of
nostalgia, if nothing else.

Much has been made in this thread of divisive comments by various
personages of Airstream, WBCCI, and VAC.  My strategy is to pay more
attention to what people *do* than what they *say*.  Everybody says
things now and then that they later wish they hadn't, and now and then
egos assert themselves when they probably shouldn't.  You have to keep
the big picture in mind.  In the final analysis, we are all travelers on
the road to that unknown city.  The thing for us to do is enjoy the
adventure, and the company of our fellow travelers.

See you down the road,

John and Barb Sellers
WBCCI/VAC #1587
1960 Pacer
Dayton, Ohio