But it was FREE!

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

Too bad you cannot send the douchebag a bill for a couple of $1000 for wasting your time.

This times 1000. You should take a refundable deposit for these kinds of things. If they show they get their money back, if not...well you get the idea.

[Betweenshades]

you'd be amazed how disorganized some scout units are. they fold all the time and new ones are made to replace them by new people

I hated my Girl Scouts experience because the leaders sucked so bad. We didn't actually DO anything unless it was with the rest of the council or another troop asked us to pair up. A lot of the girls gave up on it. It was sad, really.

[CaptainJillian]

I was never a girl scout but I would have killed to go flying. I love flying. It does remind me of my D.A.R.E. officer in elementary school who promised us tours of their cars, meetings with the drug dogs, and helicopter ride for the essay winners, then they flaked out on us completely. But I did stay off drugs!

[Seshat]

With a deal like that, I'd get my niece and nephew to the event - nothing short of a medical emergency would stop me.

Idiot standing you up. Grrr.

Thank you for trying to do nice things, though.

[Geek King]

You ever been in a cockpit before?

Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

[mikoyan29]

I'm an aviation nut and always have been for as long as I can remember. As a Boy Scout, I would have killed for a chance like this and here some a-hole does something like this. Not only was it rude but it denied some kids what could be a once in a lifetime chance as not many people get to fly in a general aviation aircraft.

[Sparky]

Another scout was being rude to girls who had come that day too, saying that flying was a boys thing, when I pointed out I was a girl and I plan on becoming a pilot, he ran and told his Dad who then reminded me of my place.

This upsets me more than your original story. I mean, the troop doesn't show up for their free flight -- I can imagine a legitimate reason. Unlikely, but ... um, the leader died? Or is in a coma? And no one else remembered the flight was scheduled or had contact info? The leader was killed in a firey crash with your contact info in the car so it burned up along with him?

Yeah, more likely the leader was a clueless twit who just figured you had nothing else to do that day but sit there and wait for him and wouldn't mind if he didn't show. Right.

But that dad was just rude on purpose.

[Squeaksmyalias]

That upset me too Sparky, I've been working on not being nervous around people and that guy coming over made me go eep! It was nice to see the pilots toss him and his son out. I feel bad for his son, but it might teach him that's not how you treat people.

[emax4]

So how will you guys handle this next time? What will be your reaction (or supe's reaction) if they try to schedule this again? I would explain that we won't do it again unless there's a nonrefundable deposit given to you and an RSVP of those attending.

If they're teaching (or not teaching) the scouts responsibility, it makes me wonder what the scouts are learning if anything.

[XCashier]

you'd be amazed how disorganized some scout units are. they fold all the time and new ones are made to replace them by new people

I hated my Girl Scouts experience because the leaders sucked so bad. We didn't actually DO anything unless it was with the rest of the council or another troop asked us to pair up. A lot of the girls gave up on it. It was sad, really.

My son had a similar experience in Scouts. He was so eager to join Cub Scouts last year, wanted to go camping and hiking and all those other fun things. His Scout troop, though, all they did was hold meetings in the local school gym and color pictures. He was so disappointed he didn't want to rejoin this year.

It is sad, because the right leader can make Scouting a brilliant experience. My Girl Scout leaders took us on camping trips, orientation, other field trips like the zoo and the theater, taught us all sorts of useful skills and we had fun while doing it. Wish all leaders had that kind of gumption.

[Squeaksmyalias]

So how will you guys handle this next time? What will be your reaction (or supe's reaction) if they try to schedule this again? I would explain that we won't do it again unless there's a nonrefundable deposit given to you and an RSVP of those attending.

If they're teaching (or not teaching) the scouts responsibility, it makes me wonder what the scouts are learning if anything.

IF they try to reschedule they will either be sent to the guy who schedules the scout camp days, who is involved in the scouts, or be told when we normally do our public flying days. That way if they show, they show. If not it's not a big deal since we will have a bunch of other people there anyway so we aren't wasting our time. We have three to four public flight days, and two scout days. So if they don't like it, too bad. I think our general reaction would be "Meh", with the scout camps it's not like we are making prints out or anything the leaders have to provide what the kid's need for their badges. Like I said we are all doing this for free, to help the kids get badges so we are only giving time and flights, and if some of the guy's wives are feeling nice, snacks.

Either way we aren't planning on doing private group flights anymore. Too much of a hassle for everyone, as much as we all love it, being burned once is once too much when you are spending a ton of money to give something for free. If we found a special case, we might do it, but not for these guys. Kid's aren't loosing out on anything if we don't do it so it's not a big deal if we don't.

I don't think we plan on doing deposits, it's a hassle for one. Also since we are part of an organization I don't even think we could. Donations, yes we can take and we would love it. Not sure about deposits but like I said, we aren't worried since if they don't show, we will still have kids lined up out the door which is just awesome.

[Jester]

when I pointed out I was a girl and I plan on becoming a pilot, he ran and told his Dad who then reminded me of my place.

Your place? Your PLACE?

Your place is in a plane. His place is the exit. 'Nuff said.

[MiloMorai]

We went to one for handicapped kids a few years back. Our daughter Ashley has CP and she was in front and had actual control for a bit. Her older sis and I were in the back seat too. It was a blast for all!