OP thanks for posting this and to all of the other posters thanks for sharing your input as well. I understand the emotions here, but I don't understand all of the defensiveness. I didn't take anyone's post as bashing TM or TES; they were just sharing their opinions.
If people needed water and didn't have it, then imo, shame on TES. I donate monthly to TES with an employer match, I might add; and donated extra for this search; along with multiple Quiznos and Popeye's food deliveries; and between my family and I, we donated many, many cases of water. These donations were requested for the searchers, and I would like to have known that the organizers of this search would have ensured that ALL of the searchers had what they needed before sending them out. I know we're all adults, but I also know that many people have never searched before and might not know exactly what to bring with them; regardless of the training given to the team leaders the night before.
Whether they had an experienced Team Leader, searchers or were in physical shape to search, or not; to me I'm thankful that they offered their services.
If the search organizers / TES felt they weren't in appropriate condition to search, maybe they could've assigned them other tasks; as it sounds like it would've been helpful.
Many of us contributed to this search, whether by financial, physical, or spiritual means and I don't think anyone deserves to be bashed for sharing their opinions and / or venting about their experiences.
For those of you who had better experiences than the OP, that's great. I think everyone would agree that is how we wanted it to be for all involved. But, it obviously wasn't.
I think everyone can learn from this experience...the searchers, contributors, and TES. I hope that we all will take something from this and use it to better our next efforts; whether it be searching for another poor soul or not.
I think we all put too much trust in TES, maybe that's where we went wrong, who knows? I do think TM's comments about NG and LP were in extremely poor taste and out of character for him. Especially considering the multiple pleas from NG and LP for donations to TES. I don't think that could ever be explained well enough for me to understand. Leaves me with a really bad taste in my mouth.
Lastly, I certainly hope there is a reason that TM recanted on his word to search at least until Tuesday; as I'm sure many people were affected by this decision. Those who traveled great distances to learn the search was ending; those who were preparing to travel, bought tickets, took off from work, etc. I keep telling myself there has to be a reason, and I hope I'm right...if not, it will truly change my feelings about TES, for whatever that's worth.
I apologize for the length of this post, I didn't intend on saying all of this, it just kept going and going and going...like the energizer bunny. LOL