"One station commander insisted that all visiting aircraft be met by an officer of equal rank and the CO himself for gp capt and above."
That had to have been the PCL himself at RAF Leeming in around 1974?
(PCL - Power Crazed Loonie. Always wore an orange flying suit. JMAP - later met his maker in a LearJet crash somewhere off the west coast of Scotland, I believe?)
For years Leeming had that stupid "Visiting aircraft are to advise if officers of the rank of Gp Capt or above are onboard" nonsense in the RMKS section of the BINA. We always advised (since it didn't specify LANDING visiting aircraft) that we had 'n' POB - and no Group Captains - when asked for POB by ATC on a PD.....
As for the RAF Club, it was very helpful indeed when I stayed for a couple of nights earlier this year. I was allowed to check in early and had a nice, cool room when it was blazing hot outside. Only complaint I would have is that the food service finishes stupidly early in the Running Horse.
And it's blissful without rug rats. Long may it continue to ban the little beggars!!