OK, I'm on my second cup of joe so hopefully I can offer a more intelligent reply than I began typing earlier.
When I saw JTrain's original post, I was pleased and cringed at the same time. What John speaks of is the truth: This board is an amazing networking resource, which all the members should really be utilizing to the maximum. We have some truly great people here who will do anything to help out a fellow member. I know personally that I've met some life-long friends here from this board. Friends who I not only talk work with once in a while, but more so talk about our lives and the things we enjoy outside work. That is a telltale sign that meeting these people has forged more in terms of friendships than business contacts. That for me is very important, because I know I'll bend over backwards for a friend much faster than an acquaintance.
So now you see why I was pleased John wrote this post, but why did I cringe? I cringed because I saw the pictures of our parties in Vegas, and I'm afraid the type of fun parties we had there might deter many of the members
not to come. That right there is a problem. I will be first to admit that we get a little crazy at NJC. Why? Because you gather a group of pilots together, who quickly become good friends, drop them in an amazing suite at a high-class casino/hotel with alcohol and you have yourself a party. Rightfully so. For many of us, we only get to see each other once or twice a year, so when you put us all together in Vegas you quickly can see why we go "all-out" for our one weekend together. However, I will also be the first to tell you that what you see and believe it not really the truth. All in all, we are a very tame group, and our main focus is hanging with friends. Face it: We are nearly all professional pilots, and although we can have a good time, we know not to be too crazy. There is good fun and bad fun, and we definitely have 110% of the good kind.
For those who are turned off by the idea of our "debauchery," don't be. It is not what it seems. We just are friends, having a good time with other friends.