I sent a buddy some cave entrance shots. He sent the following back:
Alabama has a golf trail and a quail trail and a fishing tournament trail. Why doesn't Alabama have a cave trail? I know people guide people, for profit, to hunt and fish, why not spelunk? I know there are caves that charge admission, but they are very limited in numbers. Seems like an opportunity for someone to make money guiding people in some of the thousands of other caves in the state.
I told him what I thought:
No members of the National Speleological Society, Alabama Cave Survey, or Southeastern Cave Conservancy would "cave for pay". It's part of the agreement. The ACS has all of the cave locations-- someone could get a hold of that data and basically become a rogue "cave for pay" guide. Probably wouldn't last too long. Landowners would eventually become aware and shut it down, or ask for their cut. The SCCi owns many caves in the area and members (I'm one) have access to them. Some of these are open to the general public to use. BUT, the SCCi has a "no cave for pay" policy. They'll take your one-time or monthly donation in order to buy or maintain debt on cave property but no "cave for pay".
But, I guarantee there is a small covert "cave for pay" community. There's just not a way to make a "living" at it, I'm sure.
NOW:
Anyone want to "crack this nut"? (By that I mean present an informed opinion.)