Defence 2004 cancelled
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Defence 2004 cancelled
Comments on the following anyone? Are we really that stretched or is someone making a point? Certainly can't help RIAT who lost money last year.
CANCELLATION OF DEFENCE 2004 EVENT AND ENHANCEMENT TO THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO
The Defence 2004 exhibition, under the leadership of the Royal Air Force, scheduled to take place at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July, has been cancelled because continuing operational commitments mean that the manpower necessary to ensure its success cannot be met in full.
The Defence 2000 series of events was launched in 2000 as a replacement for the Royal Tournament. Each event was to be led by one of the Services, with the overall aim of taking Defence to the Nation. The next scheduled event in 2005 will be led by the Royal Navy, bringing a strong maritime focus in the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Defence Minister Ivor Caplin said,
" I understand the disappointment many people will feel that Defence 2004 cannot go ahead as planned. But the heavy operational commitments our Armed Forces are facing must clearly take precedence. However, we can all still look forward to a varied and exciting range of events at Fairford which will show visitors the Armed Forces at their best".
CANCELLATION OF DEFENCE 2004 EVENT AND ENHANCEMENT TO THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO
The Defence 2004 exhibition, under the leadership of the Royal Air Force, scheduled to take place at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July, has been cancelled because continuing operational commitments mean that the manpower necessary to ensure its success cannot be met in full.
The Defence 2000 series of events was launched in 2000 as a replacement for the Royal Tournament. Each event was to be led by one of the Services, with the overall aim of taking Defence to the Nation. The next scheduled event in 2005 will be led by the Royal Navy, bringing a strong maritime focus in the bi-centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
Defence Minister Ivor Caplin said,
" I understand the disappointment many people will feel that Defence 2004 cannot go ahead as planned. But the heavy operational commitments our Armed Forces are facing must clearly take precedence. However, we can all still look forward to a varied and exciting range of events at Fairford which will show visitors the Armed Forces at their best".
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I would have thought that now of all times would be an opportunity to give the public something extra special to raise their awareness and opinion of the armed forces, or let funding cuts lead to even tighter stretching!
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This will be desperately sad for the airships, who will no longer be able to wander around and have the opportunity of telling everyone how wonderful they are, and how splendid the RAF is - Hooo Raa!!
It will be a monumental relief to those who would have worked their socks off, with little or no thanks, and having to endure the nightmare known as RIAT.
If it means that those at the coalface get a well-earned week end off, at home with their loved ones, then lets all give praise that it's been $hit canned!
Not sure if the same shouldn't happen to RIAT actually!??
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, a large glass of Grouse I think'
It will be a monumental relief to those who would have worked their socks off, with little or no thanks, and having to endure the nightmare known as RIAT.
If it means that those at the coalface get a well-earned week end off, at home with their loved ones, then lets all give praise that it's been $hit canned!
Not sure if the same shouldn't happen to RIAT actually!??
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, a large glass of Grouse I think'
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As a regular RIAT volunteer I'm disappointed to learn that our team has apparently been cut back by over 50% this year so basically, "thank you very much but you're not welcome anymore".
I can appreciate the need to cut costs to ensure the survival of the RAFBF but where is the sense in cutting team members who do not cost anything..?? "Most of "my team" for example all fund their own transport to the show, provide their own accommodation and provide their own equipment for the benefit of RIAT. Maybe I'm missing the point but how does cutting us save RIAT money, I expect the military cooks on the staff site will still prepare the same questionable bulk food...??
To quote a fellow team member equally annoyed:-
"If RIAT wants to make a profit, they must reduce family ticket prices, make transport and parking easier, put a stop to the vulgar extravagance in the Patron's pavillion, Oh, and get concorde back in the sky,_along with_the poxy vulcan!!"
The later may be beyond their control but the former....
Are you listening Mr Bowen & Mr Prince...???
I can appreciate the need to cut costs to ensure the survival of the RAFBF but where is the sense in cutting team members who do not cost anything..?? "Most of "my team" for example all fund their own transport to the show, provide their own accommodation and provide their own equipment for the benefit of RIAT. Maybe I'm missing the point but how does cutting us save RIAT money, I expect the military cooks on the staff site will still prepare the same questionable bulk food...??
To quote a fellow team member equally annoyed:-
"If RIAT wants to make a profit, they must reduce family ticket prices, make transport and parking easier, put a stop to the vulgar extravagance in the Patron's pavillion, Oh, and get concorde back in the sky,_along with_the poxy vulcan!!"
The later may be beyond their control but the former....
Are you listening Mr Bowen & Mr Prince...???
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A friend of mine who used to have a trade stall (underline the used to have!!) said about how much RIAT charge for Trade Stalls & Charity Stands to attend, i think its disgusting to be honest...i suppose it all helps pay for the VIP's & chauffeur driven vehicles!
Are disabled persons still allowed to park on the airfield near the front or is it like the rest of us, outside in farmers fields so to make it near impossible for disabled people to enjoy the show?
And it would be nice to spread the aircraft that display more than twice in one day ie: RAF F3 & GR4 & German Tornados as in 2003 , over the duration of the flying program ie: one in the morning, one lunchtime & one just before the end rather than bunched together in the afternoon - and do they have to have 3 Tornado displays??
I know its difficult these days with less types to choose from different Air Arms but it gets abit stale after a while....
Are disabled persons still allowed to park on the airfield near the front or is it like the rest of us, outside in farmers fields so to make it near impossible for disabled people to enjoy the show?
And it would be nice to spread the aircraft that display more than twice in one day ie: RAF F3 & GR4 & German Tornados as in 2003 , over the duration of the flying program ie: one in the morning, one lunchtime & one just before the end rather than bunched together in the afternoon - and do they have to have 3 Tornado displays??
I know its difficult these days with less types to choose from different Air Arms but it gets abit stale after a while....
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Neil,
You are so corect Sir.
A very good friend of mine who shall remain nameless (but he makes a lot of badges) will no longer go to Fairford for that very reason. He assures me that he spends well over £1000 each year for a pitch at RIAT, and that after last year he will never go again. He says that if you think the groundcrew and aircrew are treated poorly, you want to see the way they treat traders!
But the important thing is this...If the traders are paying that sort of money, and the public are paying 'their' sort of money, then can someone please explain to me how on earth RIAT can possibly lose money??
Surely the after show parties do not cost that much do they??
Come on Mr Bowen and Mr prince, give us a clue....what do you do with it all??
As for Skylark 4 - you have my utmost sympathy. I know how hard you guys work, and for nothing! But, apart from the love of it, why do you do it? It strikes me that you, like the aircrew are treated as fodder! I am afraid that the penny will soon drop with you guys, as it has my friend.
Sadly, RIAT has become nothing more than a good excuse for a few high ranking airships to 'lord it' telling everyone how great 'their' Air Force is. At last, the big RIAT bubble has burst, and the rest of the world can now see it for what it is.
Lets get back to basiscs, and turn it back into a public airshow, just like it used to be. Maybe that way, the RAFBF will reap a few ££££'s for their needs, instead of the airships enjoying 'a jolly good day out, what oh!'
Rant over.
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, you had better get me another large Grouse old man'
ps I understand that RIAT have now got their fingers in the Vulcan pie also - so beware Vulcan lovers, if RIAT are involved, it will almost certainly turn to the proverbial Rat$hit!
You are so corect Sir.
A very good friend of mine who shall remain nameless (but he makes a lot of badges) will no longer go to Fairford for that very reason. He assures me that he spends well over £1000 each year for a pitch at RIAT, and that after last year he will never go again. He says that if you think the groundcrew and aircrew are treated poorly, you want to see the way they treat traders!
But the important thing is this...If the traders are paying that sort of money, and the public are paying 'their' sort of money, then can someone please explain to me how on earth RIAT can possibly lose money??
Surely the after show parties do not cost that much do they??
Come on Mr Bowen and Mr prince, give us a clue....what do you do with it all??
As for Skylark 4 - you have my utmost sympathy. I know how hard you guys work, and for nothing! But, apart from the love of it, why do you do it? It strikes me that you, like the aircrew are treated as fodder! I am afraid that the penny will soon drop with you guys, as it has my friend.
Sadly, RIAT has become nothing more than a good excuse for a few high ranking airships to 'lord it' telling everyone how great 'their' Air Force is. At last, the big RIAT bubble has burst, and the rest of the world can now see it for what it is.
Lets get back to basiscs, and turn it back into a public airshow, just like it used to be. Maybe that way, the RAFBF will reap a few ££££'s for their needs, instead of the airships enjoying 'a jolly good day out, what oh!'
Rant over.
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, you had better get me another large Grouse old man'
ps I understand that RIAT have now got their fingers in the Vulcan pie also - so beware Vulcan lovers, if RIAT are involved, it will almost certainly turn to the proverbial Rat$hit!
A couple of related queries, if I may:
1. Did we ever find out exactly how much RIAT gives to chari-dee once everything is totted up? Since I presume that it isn't covered by the OSA, 'a substantial amount' isn't a good enough answer any more.
2. And is that amount the total raised on the day? If not, how much goes on other costs?
3. Is it me, or is there a great deal of 'ostriching' going on here from the organisers? Considerable body of complaints made, but effort made to address these and raise confidence of Mr & Mrs Joseph Spectating-Public appears only token. Certainly, all the coverage in various organs pre-2003 RIAT did nothing to assuage my concerns that prices were now becoming extoritonate.
The 'but is for charity' argument isn't good enough - I'm quite happy to donate to the RAFBF, but now do so by simply sending them the money, confident that they will in fact see most (if not all) of it - I do not have this confidence with RIAT any more, so don't bother to go.
And despite the fact that it appears that I am not alone in this regard - still we hear the 'there's nothing really wrong' mantra...
1. Did we ever find out exactly how much RIAT gives to chari-dee once everything is totted up? Since I presume that it isn't covered by the OSA, 'a substantial amount' isn't a good enough answer any more.
2. And is that amount the total raised on the day? If not, how much goes on other costs?
3. Is it me, or is there a great deal of 'ostriching' going on here from the organisers? Considerable body of complaints made, but effort made to address these and raise confidence of Mr & Mrs Joseph Spectating-Public appears only token. Certainly, all the coverage in various organs pre-2003 RIAT did nothing to assuage my concerns that prices were now becoming extoritonate.
The 'but is for charity' argument isn't good enough - I'm quite happy to donate to the RAFBF, but now do so by simply sending them the money, confident that they will in fact see most (if not all) of it - I do not have this confidence with RIAT any more, so don't bother to go.
And despite the fact that it appears that I am not alone in this regard - still we hear the 'there's nothing really wrong' mantra...
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Penny for your thoughts
I attended RIAT 2003, my first airshow since Mildenhall way back in the early 80's. I've got no axes to grind, just honest opinions.
By the time I'd got from London (£35), caught the bus to the filed (£5, well organised but no signposting from the station...) and paid to get in it was becoming a seriously expensive day out.
To then be faced with a very poor selection of greasy food - £7 for a baguette rings a very vivid bell, was a bit of a shock.
The aircraft on static display made it worthwhile, where else on the planet can you see such an amazing array? The lack of aircrew to talk to was disappointing, though the Hall guys on the MH-53 were up for an interesting discussion!
I did'nt get much chance to sit down for the flying display until around 3pm. It seemed far less well organised than previous displays I've seen, long gaps, long displays from the same aircraft.
Impressions were very much that there was a "them and us" attitude. The walk from the shuttle bus to the entrance was lengthy and across very rough ground - with my legs this was difficult. It was more galling that this was alongside the VIP entrance so I could watch the select few swan into on-base parking.
Mildenhall always had a captive audience of volunteers, but it did result in a reall family feel to the day - can you forget the taste of their wonderul burgers? Perhaps that's the problem, the event is trying to be commercial to raise money for a charity, yet has to involve buisness and charge extortinate rates for traders to break even.
By the time I'd got from London (£35), caught the bus to the filed (£5, well organised but no signposting from the station...) and paid to get in it was becoming a seriously expensive day out.
To then be faced with a very poor selection of greasy food - £7 for a baguette rings a very vivid bell, was a bit of a shock.
The aircraft on static display made it worthwhile, where else on the planet can you see such an amazing array? The lack of aircrew to talk to was disappointing, though the Hall guys on the MH-53 were up for an interesting discussion!
I did'nt get much chance to sit down for the flying display until around 3pm. It seemed far less well organised than previous displays I've seen, long gaps, long displays from the same aircraft.
Impressions were very much that there was a "them and us" attitude. The walk from the shuttle bus to the entrance was lengthy and across very rough ground - with my legs this was difficult. It was more galling that this was alongside the VIP entrance so I could watch the select few swan into on-base parking.
Mildenhall always had a captive audience of volunteers, but it did result in a reall family feel to the day - can you forget the taste of their wonderul burgers? Perhaps that's the problem, the event is trying to be commercial to raise money for a charity, yet has to involve buisness and charge extortinate rates for traders to break even.
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In starting this topic I didn't want to resurrect the RIAT bashing topic of last year. For me it is the best airshow in the world and for a top class event is not over-priced.
The main question I wanted to raise was whether the RAF is so stretched that it can't spare a very modest number of personnel to staff a flagship event which would undoubtedly generate substantial good PR for the RAF and aid recruitment. I believe that the plan was to have a scenario running through the day involving the UK deplying into a foreign country to repel invaders. So we'd need a GR.4A for a spot of recon, maybe a tanker to demonstrate AAR, a couple of Harrier for CAS, GR.4s for some bombing runs and a couple of F.3s for CAP. Maybe a handful of helicopters to drop off some regiment troops and a Herk to drop of some Landys. All these types will be there anyway so what's the problem?
The cancellation isn't RIATs fault but I doubt it could have come at a worse time. I sincerely hope the show does survive.
R
The main question I wanted to raise was whether the RAF is so stretched that it can't spare a very modest number of personnel to staff a flagship event which would undoubtedly generate substantial good PR for the RAF and aid recruitment. I believe that the plan was to have a scenario running through the day involving the UK deplying into a foreign country to repel invaders. So we'd need a GR.4A for a spot of recon, maybe a tanker to demonstrate AAR, a couple of Harrier for CAS, GR.4s for some bombing runs and a couple of F.3s for CAP. Maybe a handful of helicopters to drop off some regiment troops and a Herk to drop of some Landys. All these types will be there anyway so what's the problem?
The cancellation isn't RIATs fault but I doubt it could have come at a worse time. I sincerely hope the show does survive.
R
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Regie,
I am sure you had no intent on stoking up the RIAT bash, but you will see from this forum the amount of passion and ill feeling it stirs up.
Of course it is an outstanding airshow, but those of us who are ex Air Force, and who had endured the RIAT farce, find that our emotions run extremely high, when it is announced that such an event actually lost money!!
How can that possibly be?
The fact that NO ONE with any modicum of decency from RIAT ever responds to any of this banter speaks for itself.
RIAT are NOT interested in providing a family day airshow. They are only interested in getting as much money in as possible, and to hell with the consequences.
Now people will blame all sorts of things for its demise: primarily 'The War and Terrorism' and yet I don't see Waddington or Leuchars having similar problems, I wonder why??
The problem with RIAT is:
1. Greed
2. Providing the VIPs with a bl$$dy good (and free!!) day out
and that is wrong.
Sure, compared to a Grand Prix its a cheap day out. But it is NOT a Grand Prix. It is an airshow, first and formost, where we, as Tax Payers, can go and see what our money is spent on! (I suppose in theory, we are going to see 'our' aircraft flown eh?) If we see a few other aircraft - bargain. If it makes a few extra quid for for charity - bargain.
RIAT however, is run as a business, and like so many other businesses, it has let down its patrons, Joseph Publico! You cannot keep spending the 'profits' on the VIPs and hierarchy, who by their very nature are the ones who can comfortably afford to pay! and yet screw the rest of the public with outrageous and wholly unrealistic prices.
Just look at the attendance decline over the years - whats the one constant factor? - increased entry prices.
I hope RIAT keeps going, but I very much hope that they have a reality check, and sort things out - urgently. One thing is certain, the more and more people I speak too, the less and less of them will be going back to RIAT.
Mr Bowen and Mr Prince - If you think I've got it wrong, please speak up!! are you out there??
Me thinks there will be 'nothing heard - out!'
Kind regards to all
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, a small nip I think'
I am sure you had no intent on stoking up the RIAT bash, but you will see from this forum the amount of passion and ill feeling it stirs up.
Of course it is an outstanding airshow, but those of us who are ex Air Force, and who had endured the RIAT farce, find that our emotions run extremely high, when it is announced that such an event actually lost money!!
How can that possibly be?
The fact that NO ONE with any modicum of decency from RIAT ever responds to any of this banter speaks for itself.
RIAT are NOT interested in providing a family day airshow. They are only interested in getting as much money in as possible, and to hell with the consequences.
Now people will blame all sorts of things for its demise: primarily 'The War and Terrorism' and yet I don't see Waddington or Leuchars having similar problems, I wonder why??
The problem with RIAT is:
1. Greed
2. Providing the VIPs with a bl$$dy good (and free!!) day out
and that is wrong.
Sure, compared to a Grand Prix its a cheap day out. But it is NOT a Grand Prix. It is an airshow, first and formost, where we, as Tax Payers, can go and see what our money is spent on! (I suppose in theory, we are going to see 'our' aircraft flown eh?) If we see a few other aircraft - bargain. If it makes a few extra quid for for charity - bargain.
RIAT however, is run as a business, and like so many other businesses, it has let down its patrons, Joseph Publico! You cannot keep spending the 'profits' on the VIPs and hierarchy, who by their very nature are the ones who can comfortably afford to pay! and yet screw the rest of the public with outrageous and wholly unrealistic prices.
Just look at the attendance decline over the years - whats the one constant factor? - increased entry prices.
I hope RIAT keeps going, but I very much hope that they have a reality check, and sort things out - urgently. One thing is certain, the more and more people I speak too, the less and less of them will be going back to RIAT.
Mr Bowen and Mr Prince - If you think I've got it wrong, please speak up!! are you out there??
Me thinks there will be 'nothing heard - out!'
Kind regards to all
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, a small nip I think'
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£7 for a baguette rings a very vivid bell, was a bit of a shock.
The organisers of RIAT and all the other overpriced Air Displays only continue to charge exorbitant prices because the great unwashed continue to pay it!!! If the punters voted with their feet next year, the organisers would get their fingers burnt, and the various VIPs and their hangers-on wouldn't be able to get pi$$ed in such style. The hospitality bill alone at RIAT must be HUGE!!!!!!!!!
Stay at home, and then buy the DVD......A whole lot cheaper without the drama of queueing to get in, and then queueing to get out. Even as aircrew, the queue to get back to the airfield in the mornings has got to be seen to be believed.
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The removal of an airshow from the UK circuit is always disappointing to the ice-cream licking public and the spotters et al, BUT
What do you tell the family of the lad who must provide the requisite maintenance, security, admin, domestic and logistic arrangements (not the glam side of the airshows like those in those much sought after zoom suits with matching Breitlings and Oakleys). Remember that these guys did Kuwait, Al Udeid, Kabul AND the three CCS, IDT, IRT training sessions prior to deployment, still deployed to some bad (& good) places recently, were called upon to put out fires - or waited in some cold barracks in Northumberland waiting to do same. They are the ones who cannot get stuff from the stores warehouse, and must make do with some pretty crappy stuff and excuses. There really comes a time to stand up for their welfare and say 'enough is enough' and we really are stretched, and while Ops must continue, we can do without an airshow for a year.
We all enjoy flying in the displays, watching them, strolling the static displays and finding a way into the Boeing or BAE hospitality tent. The troops don't necessarily enjoy same. Don't get me wrong, most are likely to be volunteers, and probasbly like the flypasts etc. But a decision to cancel such an event - if it is true - surely shows that maybe (apart from going broke) the RAF / MoD can care about its most important asset - its people.
The Public deserve a look at all the shiny stuff, but honestly, I would rather the RAF behave like its really bad recruiting ad that insists that we are all valuable members of a team, and look after the interests of the not so fortunate rank & trade.
Agree that we all joined an organisation that can tell us all where and when to go and for how long etc, but are we overstreatched??
Ranting over, you will either agree or disagree and no doubt will argue either way...
.
What do you tell the family of the lad who must provide the requisite maintenance, security, admin, domestic and logistic arrangements (not the glam side of the airshows like those in those much sought after zoom suits with matching Breitlings and Oakleys). Remember that these guys did Kuwait, Al Udeid, Kabul AND the three CCS, IDT, IRT training sessions prior to deployment, still deployed to some bad (& good) places recently, were called upon to put out fires - or waited in some cold barracks in Northumberland waiting to do same. They are the ones who cannot get stuff from the stores warehouse, and must make do with some pretty crappy stuff and excuses. There really comes a time to stand up for their welfare and say 'enough is enough' and we really are stretched, and while Ops must continue, we can do without an airshow for a year.
We all enjoy flying in the displays, watching them, strolling the static displays and finding a way into the Boeing or BAE hospitality tent. The troops don't necessarily enjoy same. Don't get me wrong, most are likely to be volunteers, and probasbly like the flypasts etc. But a decision to cancel such an event - if it is true - surely shows that maybe (apart from going broke) the RAF / MoD can care about its most important asset - its people.
The Public deserve a look at all the shiny stuff, but honestly, I would rather the RAF behave like its really bad recruiting ad that insists that we are all valuable members of a team, and look after the interests of the not so fortunate rank & trade.
Agree that we all joined an organisation that can tell us all where and when to go and for how long etc, but are we overstreatched??
Ranting over, you will either agree or disagree and no doubt will argue either way...
.
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Defence 2004 cancelled
I understand from the RIAT website that tickets for this year's Airshow bought before March 1 cost £24.95!!!! Wow. That's more like it. Perhaps they are listening after all?
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Yep, thats right, £24.95 if paid for before March, but.........
Its a whopping £35.00 on the Day!!
It just goes to show what an utter rip-off it is. How can you justify that sort of extra cost on the day??? It's outrageous.
I notice that Mr B and Mr P have not offered an explanation about where all of the money has gone!!!
Come on guys, spill the beans, what have you done with it all???
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
Its a whopping £35.00 on the Day!!
It just goes to show what an utter rip-off it is. How can you justify that sort of extra cost on the day??? It's outrageous.
I notice that Mr B and Mr P have not offered an explanation about where all of the money has gone!!!
Come on guys, spill the beans, what have you done with it all???
Kind regards
The Swinging Monkey
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Tattoo 2004
I suppose at the end of the day it is all down to priorities. I bought my ticket early for £24.95, because cost is a factor - as it is for many people. Likewise, when I travelled by train to London recently, a day return ticket before 9am was double the price of trains after 9am, so I went later. . . others, however, opted to pay the extra and go earlier. I don't blame RIAT for giving people the choice . . . If people want to wait to see what the weather's like or because they want to decide on the day, fine, that's their choice - but for others, like me, cost is the primary factor.
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I'm not into RIAT bashing either as the RAFBF is a charity I care about and its why I have worked harder and longer over that week or so in July for the last few years, than for any employer before or since!
Its for this very reason that I'm concerned Mr Bowen et al appear to be looking in the wrong direction as far as costs are concerned - how does in excess of a 50% reduction in a team that funds itself to be there, save money..??? All it does, is increase the workload of the few that are still there. Similarly, if they are cutting 'my team' in this way, what else are they cutting:-Emergency Services, Security, Protocol..?? Oh silly me, of course they wouldn't reduce the later!
I'm not from a military background (I pay to fly!) but I have been going to airshows and RIAT since 1977. Over the last few years more and more of my friends who I would class as aviation fanatics are giving RIAT a miss for the reasons stated above - extortionate costs, access and parking problems and a general perception that its "good" but not worth all the hassle.
I fear that all is not well in the world of RIAT and unless Paul & Tim re-think their strategy, its days are sadly numbered. They need to look beyond cutting volunteers and instead reduce the vulgar excesses of Patrons, the corporate hangers on and return to grass roots values of a good value airshow. Joe Public will simply not pay the prices they are demanding.
Sorry, rant over but as you can see it annoys me to see something I care about slipping away.....
Its for this very reason that I'm concerned Mr Bowen et al appear to be looking in the wrong direction as far as costs are concerned - how does in excess of a 50% reduction in a team that funds itself to be there, save money..??? All it does, is increase the workload of the few that are still there. Similarly, if they are cutting 'my team' in this way, what else are they cutting:-Emergency Services, Security, Protocol..?? Oh silly me, of course they wouldn't reduce the later!
I'm not from a military background (I pay to fly!) but I have been going to airshows and RIAT since 1977. Over the last few years more and more of my friends who I would class as aviation fanatics are giving RIAT a miss for the reasons stated above - extortionate costs, access and parking problems and a general perception that its "good" but not worth all the hassle.
I fear that all is not well in the world of RIAT and unless Paul & Tim re-think their strategy, its days are sadly numbered. They need to look beyond cutting volunteers and instead reduce the vulgar excesses of Patrons, the corporate hangers on and return to grass roots values of a good value airshow. Joe Public will simply not pay the prices they are demanding.
Sorry, rant over but as you can see it annoys me to see something I care about slipping away.....
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Charging £10 more on the day isn't a rip-off, just sound business sense. If the cost difference between booked tickets and on-the-day sales weren't significant, then there would be a reduced incentive to buy early. Given the great and glorious British climate, hanging on until you see the weather on the day makes perfect sense from a consumer's POV, but causes a huge gamble for the organisers.
If estimated sales were £5 million, but only 50% were prebooked, how much would you (as an organiser) be willing to spend in advance? If you spent £4 million, but the weather's crap, you make a huge loss. Far better to get 90% of the sale guaranteed up front at £25 each and gamble only with the 10% at £35 a head! More money = better dispays and events = more punters = more profit = more for char-i-dee.
If estimated sales were £5 million, but only 50% were prebooked, how much would you (as an organiser) be willing to spend in advance? If you spent £4 million, but the weather's crap, you make a huge loss. Far better to get 90% of the sale guaranteed up front at £25 each and gamble only with the 10% at £35 a head! More money = better dispays and events = more punters = more profit = more for char-i-dee.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Hope
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RIAT 2004
LJR -Sir - you seem to have got the wrong end of the stick! RIAT - The Air Show - is going ahead, and good luck to it! It's just the add-on Defence bit that has been pulled. and even then there are still some added juicy bits to attract spotters and JP alike. I totally agree that at a time of overstretch it is iniquitous to expect HM Forces to spend yet more time away from home - what they need is quality time with their families to visit air shows and suchlike!
