Like you said, seems that the people that don't get a perk are the ones that feel the perks are "unfair".
As a Manager (my "day job"), I get the opportunity to "manage" (LOL) my employees. One of the most challenging parts of the job is recognizing individuals for a job well done WITHOUT unmotivating others in my group. It may sound easy, but it is by far the toughest part of my job. "You just play favorites", "You like Bill more than me", "Why did he get promoted and not me", etc., etc.
I happen to feel it is important to recognize a person that does a good job, puts in extra effort, or happens to be good at what they do. specially, when the only other option is to not recognize anyone.... I'll always take the downside that comes with making the decision to give a free dinner for an employee and their wife because an employee spent a weekend at the plant away from his family to make sure a job got done correctly..... or take the group to lunch when a project is done well, or buy a birthday cake, or buy a special gift at Christmas......
I'm certainly not getting an early SRT because I'm a regional president, Since I have a used Viper, I did not qualify to even buy one. But, if Dodge does put presidents and national officers early in production, that's their choice to "recognize" a group of people for the extra effort's that they give in the form of time and effort to make their regions the best that they can be, well than who am I to complain? Just like Dodge decided to recognize the loyalty of owners that purchased their car new, and still own them with the "perk" of being able to order and SRT. I'm happy that loyal owners are being recognized as such.
For the record, here is the list of "Perks" I get as a president:
1) A "free" issue of Viper Magazine about one week before I get the one I pay for.
reason: So I can read it and be prepared to answer questions any members may ask.
2) A nice recognition plaque (of some sort) at VOI's.
reason: see above paragraph, but that is just my opinion
3) At VOI there is usually an all day meeting prezes and officers attend, as part of this meeting, we usually get a free lunch.
reason, can you imagine 60 or so people trying to pay for their own lunch at a business meeting?
4) When the presidents/officers are required to attend a business meeting, Dodge kindly offers to pick up the room and meals.
reason: Those required to attend pay their own way to the meeting and home again. In the past I've had to pick up rooms for day before or after the meeting on my own nickel as well. I am not self employed, so one of these meeting also uses three days of limited "vacation", they are REALLY business meetings.
5) Got to meet Jay Leno at the VOI in Vegas........
6) um, hmmmmm, there must be more, but I'll have to think about it.
I feel pretty safe in saying presidents and national officers are not spending the hundreds of hours a year it take to do a good job in these offices for the list of perks above.
If Dodge is kind enough to put officers and presidents early in SRT production, cool. Dodge did that for the GTS's in '96, and I do not recall hearing one complaint about it then. Having been a prez for a while, I can say, it would be insignificant recognition compared to the work these individuals do for the Viper community. That's my two cents worth...... no "conspiracy" here that I can see.
If any individual desires the perks above, run for office