AC/DC
As an ATCO at one of the airports on the 'shamed' list, I must put the other side of the argument. If you fly from A to B then you expect to pay a landing fee at B...so if you divert to C then why shouldn't you pay one there too? Your argument about morals isn't true...those GA airfields that you mention find it extremely difficult to make ends meet from flying revenue. The income from GA doesn't go anywhere near the cost of Licencing, ATC, Fire service etc., my Company only survives because it has an extensive non-aviation property portfolio. What you're effectively saying is that we shouldn't charge for these services when pilots use/need them most. Furthermore, the system is sadly open to abuse. I can recall two occaisions already this year, when an aircraft has 'diverted' to my airfield being unable to get into a nearby strip (no facilities) due weather. On both occaisions, the pilots concerned had phoned my unit (from overseas) for weather and were passed TAF's and actuals which clearly showed there was absolutely no chance of getting into the strip. Each announced on their safe, radar vectored, IFR arrival on a hard, lit runway at my airfield that "this was a diversion...you won't be charging us will you?". Nobody likes spending their hard earned cash...and pilots are notorious for it...but would you expect an emergency plumber to stop your water leak for free?
My Airport tries to offer a first rate service for GA...as you rightly say, we depend on your custom for our livelihood we try to find a balance between sensible fees and facilities and will always greet you with a friendly smile! I'm a PPL too (night and IMC) and on the one occaision that I have had to divert, (into Bournemouth due to an alternator failure) above cloud in very busy airspace I was afforded excellent service, a priority approach, to be met on the ground by (uneccesary but welcomed) Fire engines. I was offered every assistance, an engineer, use of a phone etc. and the landing fee was waived but I would have happily paid it, it would have been worth every penny...and, how much it would cost was of absolutely no significance to me at the decision making stage. Frankly, I find it difficult to accept that anyone would put their safety before their wallet in this environment. A boycott is a bad idea...with GA being forced out of all the regional airports and the NIMBY's closing all the strips, now is the time to champion GA airfields...use them or lose them!
...incidentley, we have the best home made cakes in the UK