Probably the most impactful aspect of deciding show format are the surveys sent out after the show comes to a close. The Thunder team mentioned something like 90% of people said they would attend a drive in show again (assuming the 10% are the hardcore fans). This format suites your "average family". It is very blatant that TOM has shifted from a hardcore fan airshow to "an average Joe" airshow. Considerably disappointing.RyanS wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 8:22 pm I dunno, I think this is a fine place to discuss the changes and their continued impact on our community of fans. The negative comments I have seen have been valid posts. If it starts to get overwhelmingly whiny or repetitive, I'll step in.
The fact is the changes made are incredibly unpopular and have turned away many long time supporters of the show and YAM as a whole. I know my family, who have been attending TOM since before it was TOM, have canceled their membership and are only attending this year because they get a free ticket or something like that. I think it's a tragedy that my local show has gone this route and it's nice to know others agree, even if only to vent a little of my frustrations.
As for whether it makes a difference or not, you are right that a few posts here won't make them reverse course but they do contribute to the overall topic of whether this is a good move for the industry as a whole. I can also say that you never know who might be reading the thread.
I appreciate the discussion!
Touching back on whether it makes a difference or not, people from the Thunder team most obviously see our complaints (Ex. Warbird Information Exchange. That place is flooded with complaints and airshow director Michael Luther is on that thread).
It does not seem this format will end any time soon, but you never know. This will likely be my last year attending the show which is very tragic because this show is less than a 10 minute drive from where I live (It's not all bad, I can see half the show from my house!).
I wish Thunder the best and hope they will start taking our opinions into consideration.
Thank you all!