Freeloading...

[pikey01]

interesting thread on another forum about freeloaders on the outside of shows, in particular the infamous field of Duxford. As a result, the Hawk Display guys have posted a poll which is open to anyone here http://www.crewroom.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; should any FC members wish to vote

[Sheff]

My vote is posted

[beefsteak]

No points for guessing where your vote was cast Sheff!!..

Myself ? I don't care where they stand as long as they (Like certain members have said), pay for a ticket, are safe and have the land owners permission.

It's the ones who choose to freeload and then moan about the content of the shows that p155 me off!!.............

[Jason Grant]

My opinion has changed in recent years, rip off Britain is killing the airshow scene. The sooner the UK airshow is given back to the people and not the "prawn sandwich brigade" the better.

[GOOSE]

as long as this thread doesn't descend in to the pointless and embarrassing "freeload" thread on the other forum, then let it continue.

Opinions will vary as will disposable income hence how you choose to enjoy a show.

Be warned, you have been given some rope here, please don't hang yourselves..............

[roughcutter]

The only thing that pees me off about the freeloaders at Duxford is that they spoil my shots! Duxford has a fantastic backdrop of rolling hills and fields which makes for some potentially excellent landing/take off shots. It's only when I come to edit them on my pc that I come across all these bodies of all shapes and sizes, like a mass infestation of ants!!!

MarkL

[nick197]

For the first time last year at RIAT i watched the show on the sunday from that farm place, Rymes farm . I watched the arrivals on the base apart from Friday went in the saturday then watched the departures on the base. It seems thats the only place i can get decent photo's of them flying because there to far away from the crowd line. However i do prefer the atmosphere being in the crowd and walking up and down the static display etc + you dont have any prats playing football by your car .
It does'nt bother me freeloaders although i think its a little bit naughty not going into the show to support atleast one day.

[roughcutter]

Just don't wear pink or yellow, and lie down!

MarkL

[RichC]

All these poor people who live next the airfield watching out their windows and in their gardens being called freeloaders!

People have the right to pay or not pay depending on what they wish to see. If they wish to go to the fun fair, burger stalls, stand on a rope line with thousands of people sat/stood in the way not even looking at the aircraft and just eating their sandwiches then so be it.
For those who want something different, different photographs from the majority, different atmopshere then they have the right to go along the fence line as long as it is legal and not pay a penny if they don't need too.

You don't pay at an airfield fence during the week to see the same aircraft take off and land and you don't pay to see the same aircraft flying low level and tactical (demos) in the Mach Loop or in the countryside of anywhere else do you?

There are FREE airshows around the UK where you don't need to pay a penny either so are they freeloaders?
What is the difference in standing on the fence of an airfield which has an airshow (people pay to get close to the aircraft) and that of an airshow which is free in a location where you cant get close to the aircraft and just see them flying?

[beefsteak]

It's not so much the none payers that rile me , it's the none payers who then moan about the content, that really make my blood boil!!!!

[wokka]

Is this all about photography or are we asking generally? I think the term freeloading is an overused generalisation trying to trigger partisan opinion. For me there is a simplified answer. I look at my bank account. I'm desperate to see what I can and dont have enough money to go to all the ones I want or have every weekend free. Therefore, if I can find a vantage point and get to see an airshow without paying on a free weekend I will. Some shows have very close roads, paths, fields etc that afford us our views. I have watched Farnborough from MOD land and RIAT from a road. I'm not picky. That way other shows I go to, I can afford to pay for and enjoy something different inside the perimeter.
There is another thing. I personally believe that by taking my son to see airshows at the age of 3 and being outside, where if I need to I can just go when I like, means I am bringing along the next generation of aircraft enthusiast. that has to be a good thing doesnt it?

[Jason Grant]

It's not so much the none payers that rile me , it's the none payers who then moan about the content, that really make my blood boil!!!!

Damn! no opinion allowed, even on a forum

What about taxpayers who fund the RAF and decide to stay outside an RAF event?

[SteveS]

I think the point being made is that an airshow will have to pay for the appearance of an aircraft and the fewer people inside the fence, the lower the show's takings and therefore the less money to spend next year on displays.

Steve

[turbosix]

Waddo has enjoyed record attendance figures these past few years. Probably why they have the confidence to raise the price this year. Not sure about the other shows but I'd guess that bad weather would be the main cause of poor income at the gate, if anything.

[SteveS]

Waddo has enjoyed record attendance figures these past few years. Probably why they have the confidence to raise the price this year. Not sure about the other shows but I'd guess that bad weather would be the main cause of poor income at the gate, if anything.

Agreed, I wasn't saying attendances are down for whatever reason, only clarifying beefsteak's post, that if you don't put your money into the kitty, which helps pay for the flying display, you can't reasonably turn round and complain about the aforementioned display.

Steve

[The Meat]

I think the shows always have a good paying attendance, you will never get away from people being on the outside for whatever reason.

Last year at Waddo for example I paid for Friday Arrivals (great atmosphere), went outside on the Saturday for some different photos, went in for the Sunday show and paid to watch departures.
I guess they got their money's worth from me but it was the 1st year in many that I had spent a day outside and had a great time and got some good shots.

[beefsteak]

That's exactly what I meant , thanks for making it clearer Steve, they know who they are !!!...............
To avoid the possibility of being turned away try (If you can afford to) to get the tickets in advance. I know it's not always possible but it does work out cheaper too.

[Jason Grant]

To be honest, I have never watched an airshow from the outside and possibly never will. I have taken the time to pen a letter to the organisers at RIAT, to point out something I didn't agree with on two different occassions but do they take the time to reply? Also, has anyone else been thrown off the viewing area at Waddo before all the aircraft have arrived or finished practicing, or told to leave the FRIAT stand when the Indian Flanker is displaying, it's bloomin' annoying. So, we could all argue devils advocate about how they have homes to go to, but ignorance and rudeness of volunteers and service personell just isn't something that sits comfortably with me. If I had been freeloading, I would not have had this problem.

Now I know some of you will say it's not that easy, but flying to the East Coast USA is nearly as cheap as a Mach 3, especially when you add the cost of food, fuel and accomodation. Split 4 ways for example and it becomes even cheaper, go and see how our cousins over the pond do it, then see what I mean about rip off Britain. It is the thing that changed my mind as I said in my first post on page 1.