President Jennifer, ever proud of herself, calls it "Securing Your Optimum Cryopreservation" (translate: Money counts, pay more).
http://www.alcor.org/blog/?p=1419#more-1419
Except:
"To reduce the financial burden of cryopreserving grandfathered members, Alcor may alter the cryopreservation process to reduce costs if the members payment to Alcor is below Alcors stated minimum in effect at the time of the cryopreservation. Such alterations may include, but are not limited to, using fewer personnel, less sophisticated procedures, less expensive cryoprotectants, no cryoprotectants, or limiting the extent of cryoprotection of whole body patients."
As to the new take on "grandfathering" I understand Alcor has also secured space next to Grandpa Bredo in Nederland CO, for intermittent dry ice storage for certain patients no longer having "Alcors stated minimum in effect at the time of the cryopreservation". J/K but with the above policy, it would not surprise me if they do.
And of course this is accompanied by a raise in whole body fee to $200K. Those who have bought a million or 2 $ in whole or other life insurance from Mr. Rudi, probably feel secure. How long do these folks expect to live, though, before needing Alcor's services? In a few years Alcor's fee could easily go up to beyond that, and the then 80-90-100 year olds who are no longer insurable for higher amounts would be left out cold in the straight freezer.
Ain't it ever.
Speaking of straight freezes and not to pick entirely on Alcor, I have heard it is a CI policy to require a 3-week "cooling off period" (very dark humour!) on dry ice for persons signed up after their deaths by relatives. This ensures a straight freeze occurs, and is one of the ghastlier items in cryonics today. But then again, why is CI (or Alcor) accepting "patients" who did not themselves sign up while living? I wonder how many of them are done so against specific stated preference for burial or cremation, by well-meaning but rights-ignoring next of kin?
On a more humorous note, I keep getting ads for Creekside specials in email. $69 for 2 in a cabin with jacuzzi, and now a pet can join in for only $10. This runs right up to Thanksgiving, weekdays, and reminds me of how eager certain but unnamed cryonicists might snap up this opportunity to "have some mutton" or "stuff the turkey" for Thanksgiving. Perhaps the "staff" would give a lower rate for just 1 human and the additional $10 pet, hm? But the jacuzzi - do these animals like swimming?!
OK I'M DONE,
Cheers,
FD