When I was starting, My former supervisor was a member of the AI. I can not remember if he was an MIA or something else, I recall asking if I should join. He said that the designations have no substance anymore. The way I see it from the fence, it seems that they are trying to position themselves to where they have an upper "Presentation" as though they are better for the industry. But it does seem that they are trying finding their way into many aspects of the industry to where is will give the presentation that you will have to be affiliated with the AI. So goes their $$$.
I was at a network luncheon yesterday and met some big boy surveyors that asks me if I was an MAI, because their project required and MAI. I said no. They told me that for them, it didn't really matter if they were or were not an MAI, but it was just one of their requirements. It made me go Mmm. May have lost one potential client or assignment, but gained 2 new clients maybe more and I am not affiliated with nobody. Just good references.
I think that they are trying to corner a perception and trying to ride the "The Sky is Falling" RE situation. At this point with so many changes, we need to at least know who is on our side, if not sooner or later, there will be a line drawn.
