[Philmont]: Reservation system

It seems the "new and improved" Philmont expedition reservation system has
taken the wind out of our sails.

What are we supposed to discuss and cuss this time of year? It seems like
only yesterday that we could talk about strategies to improve our odds of
getting a telephone connection, complain about the bad system and suggest
new methods, and congratulate the winners. Last year we at least had people
scrambling to learn what region they were in. Since the Central and
Northeast regions have completed their primary registration periods, surely
someone must have a praise or suggestion.

While I don't want to return to the old days, I have to admit to a sense of
loss. The one day telephone system was an annual event - something with
anticipation. My partners and I would huddle together with donuts and
coffee and banks of handsets and do the countdown to initiate dialing. And
within an hour, we knew our fate. The instant euphoria of getting to talk
to a human in the first five minutes or the sadness of defeat when after an
hour we kept dialing knowing it was hopeless. The new system is modern and
efficient but doesn't have the same emotions involved, at least not on the
same time scale. There is excitement when the first person on this list
screams out that they have received their letter stating success. And then
for a while, anticipation gets involved with the call home to the kids to
see if the mail includes a letter from PSR. And after a day or so, when the
letter doesn't come, and the reality hits, then it's the wait for the letter
to announce the position on the waiting list.

So, does anyone else want to share stories from the old and new systems?

Rich

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Sun Oct 31 16:20:40 2004