AOA usefulness
Curtain Rod, if you are suggesting that the AOA could do nothing, then why bother to join.
I always, however, recommended new Captains to join the AOA, only for the sake of legal protection in the event of an incident/accident.
To hope for anything more is a pipedream.
I should point out that there were some very good people in the AOA during my time and I do have the utmost respect for them. Nigel D. springs to mind immediately.
There were also a few self serving people and for those I have nothing but contempt.
However, my criticism of the AOA is not directed at the people but of the Association's effectiveness.