Nellis AFB Fam Camp Rate Increase

[Finhawk]

They've done it again. A rate increase of a dollar a year for the past 3 years. But with a different twist this time. A Club member, be it the "O" or the NCO Club was given a 10% discount. Now that has been reduced to 5%. Not such a good deal anymore.
And guess what------there has been No increase in services or any improvement in the facility. The NAF/MWR concept of money making activities taking up the task of supporting those who are failing is still alive and well.
As an aside, this year the partials are about 1/3rd of what they usually are at this time. No one in overflow which is a change too. Maybe people are showing their displeasure by avoiding this place.

[TXiceman]

So just how much are you charged to camp there...for us non-military types.

Ken

[BigSkyBob]

I'm in Nellis AFB RV Park now and just love the place. It's $20/day for full hookups or $600/month. I'll be here three months beginning 1 November and have no complaints about anything related to the park. I shop the best commissary in the country that has excellent prices with no sales tax paid either there or at the BX. I haven't paid for January yet but whatever the increase is I'll pay it with a smile because I feel it's still a bargain for what's offered. Just having the security is worth a great deal to us in geezerhood, plus the base hospital is just across the road.

On edit: A dollar a year rate increase. Could you possibly mean a dollar a day?

[W4RLR]

The only problem I see with offering a discount for club members is that all ELIGIBLE persons can't join the club. Membership is subject to the approval of Chase Bank. You heard it right, a BANK has to approve your membership. Since Chase will not approve me for a private member card, I can't be a member. Since I'm disabled, I would ordinarily qualify for a no-dues lifetime membership.

But to complain about the small amount it costs to camp at a famcamp even without a discount? Really?

[Wayne M]

It is not the $1 a day that irks me, it's the principle of it when the active duty service member can not afford to stay off-base. The active duty personnel are most likely going to receive a 1.4 percent pay increase, but the retired member is frozen for the next 3 years. Also, the installation is using the camping facilities money to support the other recreational facilities that cannot support themselves.

Yes, it is still a great value but the trend is fearful. At what point will it stop. I take Finhawks post as informative.

[Sergeant80]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rray32539 The only problem I see with offering a discount for club members is that all ELIGIBLE persons can't join the club. Membership is subject to the approval of Chase Bank. You heard it right, a BANK has to approve your membership. Since Chase will not approve me for a private member card, I can't be a member. Since I'm disabled, I would ordinarily qualify for a no-dues lifetime membership.

I am utterly confused as to the statement above. I have not been around any bases since I retired in 1967 and therefore have not utilized the club function but it is hard to believe membership would depend on my ability to get a Chase credit card. If in fact this is true, I would start with the club steward and escalate up the chain of command to the point I got my membership or my Senator and Representative could look into the matter. Request in writing and keep all the replies for documentation.

[RedT]

When I joined the US Air Force in 1955 I was told that one of the favorite things GI's did was to complain. (A different word was used) Retired in 1982 after 27 years, and things had not changed. Now in 2011, I see that it still hasn't changed!

Sure, I wish I could stay for free at military installations, but am thankful for the ones that allow me to stay, and gladly pay the fee! I figure the military facilities are there for the ACTIVE DUTY folks - not us retired geezers!



RedT in Glendale, AZ
CMSGT, USAF Ret

[Finhawk]

Let me clarify my orinional post. Yes I did mean a dollar a day. I did not make one negative remark about the Fam Camp. This is my 4th year in this place and I think it's great.
My gripe is that the first year I was here, the rate was $18 a day, last year it went up to $20, now it's $21 and the discount for club members has gone from 10% to 5%. So do the math. Figure it out on a monthly basis rather than by the day. Now-----if the rate increase was used to improve the Fam Camp, I would be all for it. I defy any of you to show anything that has been done here other than move some dirt around. Like I said, the money has been used to support other activities.
RedT----there are active duty folks here and I think they have priority over retirees. If not they should have and guess what, they pay the same rates as anyone else.

[two-niner]

The price of electricity and water has gone up. One dollar is cheap. Perhaps you could recommend they use meters, pay as you go.
Finhawk: You do not have a valid complaint!!! Wait til you pull out of the park and get gas/diesel....

Kerry

[JDG]

Fam camp is set up like anyother military organization. First and formost for ACTIVE duty members then us retired folk. We retired folk helping to off set a very much losing propastion for the military. You always have the option of staying off base and paying a lot more for less services.

[W4RLR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergeant80 I am utterly confused as to the statement above. I have not been around any bases since I retired in 1967 and therefore have not utilized the club function but it is hard to believe membership would depend on my ability to get a Chase credit card. If in fact this is true, I would start with the club steward and escalate up the chain of command to the point I got my membership or my Senator and Representative could look into the matter. Request in writing and keep all the replies for documentation.

The Air Force club system farmed out its accounts receivable functions to a contractor, currently Chase Bank, back in the early '90s. Advantages are reciprocal privileges at any Air Force club, charging privileges at any Air Force club, and freeing up funds at local clubs.

The disadvantages to prospective members is that Chase now can deny club membership to any person based upon Chase's evaluation of their creditworthiness. Any previous derogatory information in a credit file or (as in my case, a dispute with Chase) means Chase declines to issue a card, which means a prospective club member is not allowed membership in a club.

As for complaining to the chain of command, the contracting out of accounts receivable was done at the HQ Air Force level. There's nothing the local commander can do.

As much as I would like to be a member of the club, Chase says I'm not creditworthy enough for a $200 credit line. Funny, my credit union, my business banker, and several other creditors don't share their assessment.

Not that I need to be a member of the club to use any base facility OTHER than the club. I use FAMCAMP facilities when I can. And I believe they are a bargain, even at $20 a night. Try staying at a commercial campsite that cheaply. Or a hotel.

Honestly, some people would complain if they were at the gallows, that the hangman was not using a new rope.

[Route 66]

Folks, let's stop the personal comments.

Thanks.

[h2guy]

Well, you're not gonna want to stay at Adm Baker RV Park in San Diego or Fairways RV Park in Port Hueneme CA, they went from $22-23 daily to $30 DAILY.