I let my PCA membership lapse years ago while I was in college, then my mechanic was incensed when he found out I wasn't a member a few years ago and bought me a year's membership. I've been renewing ever since. The access to autocross, even if I don't use it, seems worthwhile. The other part for me is supporting an entity that supports the cars I am interested in in a way nothing else does. Libraries of information, the facilitation of concours (now thankfully with a preservation class that removes all guilt while modifying and putting miles on my own old Porsche!) and competition. In light of PCA's support of the marque, the fee seems minimal.
I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment on Pano's quality or scope, but I see a lot of people expressing views (some valid!) without much knowledge. Not that *that* happens online very often.
So, a few data points:
1. Betty Jo does far more than merely edit the book. She also, IIRC, sells the ads. i.e., she's doing the work of two full-time people and has been for 38 years. Given how quickly I must rush to get Excellence out the door 9 times a year (ed only, we've got an ad director and coordinator), I find that rather amazing. Yes, her edit package is small, but it's impressive given the above. Ed budget is the next thing to look at.
2. TRUE: press trips can look posh from the sidelines. As Formerly Steve rightly points out, international travel is business class, and, yep, it IS pretty comfy. You are, however, usually greeted by a bus. Domestic travel, at least with Porsche, is coach. The fact Porsche pays *IS* an issue, but by those standards, the only true automotive journalism happens in CR, and I doubt many (any?) are willing to pay the cost of having all magazines go that route. And, next: do you eliminate press cars? How then would we have learned that the 997 Turbo's chassis is awful/way too soft? Or that early eGas and early 997 PASM had issues? Hopefully, that info helps new Porsche buyers AND enthusiasts down the road who will look at the cars as used cars. I know many Pelicanites say they don't care about the new stuff, but many other readers do, and there is a case to be made for creating records for the future.
3. FALSE: Press trips are lavish picnics and/or fun runs. The reality is that you're in transit for 30-50 hours and on the ground for about 30-40 hours. Those are real numbers. They're filled with sleep deprivation, press conferences, and a drive on roads you don't know with a passenger you may or may not like and who may or may not kill/maim you. Sometimes, the food is good. Sometimes, it's a weird five-course meal in foams and pates and you'll be eating raisins and a Euro Snickers in your room for dinner. For me, the upside comes when you meet a Porsche engineer, racer, or longtime acquaintance who is a real enthusiast, and there are still some. But there are few serious or even fun car enthusiasts left in the media. The rest seem to be in it either for a job or the perks, but I can't for the life of me figure the latter out -- unless they don't like to be at home. Especially given the sacrifice in what you could be making in another industry...
I think discussion (and especially constructive criticism!) is good. I've picked up a few ideas and areas for improvement myself here. And I commend Manny for coming in to address the issue, and agree that a better idea is for people to send him letters and emails. I think people who AREN'T members are just as important, especially if they once were. But while I think it's best that I remain neutral on Pano, I hate to see someone's work torn down in a nasty, public manner -- especially when it's done from a limited perspective. I can tell you from personal experience that it hurts, and it seems to me that it goes against the rules of this forum as stated. As always, if we want change, we should go about it constructively. Manny has provided that route.
Respectfully,
pete