Quit whining
Improving OSH every year is a huge focus at Headquarters, I assure you. There are so many moving parts it is absolutely amazing. In spite of all of the weather problems this year, and mechanical problems (C5, etc.), there was an amazing job done by everyone. The attendance numbers speak for themselves.
Did everyone get to arrive on their planned time? Absolutely not. Could things be improved? you bet? Are we working on it? YES! Please keep in mind that the EAA doesn't own the airspace or the NOTAM. We are working very closely with the FAA to make improvements, and many improvements are going to be "feathered in" over the next few years. You just can't make too many changes at once. There's a bazillion moving parts, and lives at stake.
I was pleased that the air rage so evident last year was missing this year, so thanks to all of the pilots.
I would be very careful with regards to bashing the volunteers. Your facts are wrong on the compensation. Most of these people do it because they love aviation as much as pilots do. Not everyone flies, thankfully. WE need them. There are 5000+ volunteers. AirVenture would NEVER work without all of the volunteers, some of whom have been there for 50 years. The knowledge pool is absolutely amazing. You owe your ability to bring your airplane to Airventure to ALL of the volunteers. Period. So knock it off.
I was there Friday and Saturday when all of the volunteers basically went into emergency management mode after the 6-8" of rain. I think FEMA could have learned a few things from them. Some of them had skillsets we were lucky to have available, and they were some of the most humble people around. Working in the mud and slop and heat for some very long days. So basically, nobody wants to hear that you couldn't get in on your exact timed plan in your airplane. Ask some of those in the 4 mile long camper line who couldn't get into Scholler due to the mud, and ended up camping in Walmart parking lots. They made the best of it, setting up barbecues in the road and making new friends.
BTW, I spoke to quite a few pilots who landed at outlying airports, and they were very happy. Many just decided to stay there for the week and ride busses in every day. They made new friends as well, and were having fun.
Which is what Airventure is supposed to be about. Having fun. Try it.
Vic