[A/S] Best Years to buy?

[Terry Tyler <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Warren,

There are dozens of variables to consider. I suspect you'll collect 
many in the next few days.

Two variables that immediately come to mind are the economy of our 
country and the turnover of employees at the factory.

1 - By economy of the country I'm referring to periods commonly 
considered to have been "Cinderella years." That's when jobs were 
plentiful in this country and salaries were sufficient to meet the 
needs of most families. When the economy is healthy, production has a 
tendency to also be healthy.  The last Cinderella years I recall were 
the mid to late 80s ---  but not the early 90s.

2 - All companies have turnover of employees, but some companies have 
years when there is a bulge in retirements. When this occurs, the most 
experienced employees are no longer on the production line. At that 
time, a bulge of new inexperienced employees are on the production 
line. During those uptake years, mistakes that would not have occurred 
in previous years have a greater likelihood of occurring.

It's not only the production line where inexperienced workers make 
mistakes. The management team is able to make bigger mistakes, i.e. 
using particle board that turns to mush when wet or responding to the 
"bean counters" with cost cutting decisions that would make an engineer 
turn over in his grave.

Some companies make "token" efforts to retain older experienced workers 
in a "mentoring" capacity. If the ratio of old to new is built around 
small groupings, there's a good chance of it being successful, 
otherwise, the phrase is "whistling in the dark."

Along having small groupings (teams), if the mentor is bumped up in 
salary with clearly identified additional authority and responsibility, 
there's a good chance of it being successful in most cases, otherwise, 
the phrase is "hollow publicity gimmick."

Anyone who has been involved in the repair and restoration of an 
Airstream can come up with at least one example of what was done right 
and what was done wrong. It'll be interesting to see the variety of 
replies your question generates.

New topic:    >>>   Towing a 34' Airstream

This question comes up at least once a year.

Those of us who have towed a 34' can tell you they are as easy to tow 
as any other size. Regardless of what size I tow, it only takes once 
around the block with a short detour through the shopping mall parking 
lot to refresh my perspective and adjust my thinking accordingly.

Likewise, it's equally easy learn how to eye ball the amount of space 
we need to maneuver whether towing our 22' or one that's 10' or 12' 
longer.

As for finding places large enough to park a longer trailer, I use the 
same skills that I use when looking for a place large enough to park 
our '67 22' Airstream. When my estimate is off, I use the same skill 
for backing up regardless of which Airstream I'm towing.

And yes, I too - go around the block (or not) so the site is on my left 
and I can see the spot where I'm backing into just by opening my door, 
standing upright with my left foot on the running board, my right hand 
holding the steering wheel, my left hand holding the door for balance 
and my right foot on the accelerator or brake. That system has worked 
like a charm for me every year for all 28 years we've owned our 1978 
Ford Van. Each of us figures out what works best for our own needs.

Terry