Frustrated with PUGs? Here are a few alternative options.

One of the biggest problems for those of us who consider themselves casual/hardcore players is finding groups to run the end-game content outside of PUGs.  The way I see it there are a few options to this dilemma. 

1. Join a more raid-centric kinship that tolerates the casual nature of your play style. - This option, while easier to find kinships of this nature in LOTRO, is inherently problematic in the fact that kinships based on end-game content tend to tolerate those players who play A LOT.  Having said that, these kinships do exist, but finding them could be difficult.  I'd suggest posting on the official forums under your server forums of what you are looking for.  Try checking out the kinship section of the server forums as well to see if something jumps out at you.

2. Start or join a "PUGer's Society." - These are essentially a collective group of players with the same desires to run the content, but want to remain in their current kinship.  These groups are less collective than kinships and more tolerant of limited play schedules.  I have seen posts and in-game spam regarding this alternative.  I think that these could in fact work and be enjoyable.  I have yet to try one and very well may in the future.   These can also be found on the forums, though I have heard that the more successful ones are invite only and do not advertise.

3. Form a kinship alliance. - This is where two or more kinships "band" together to support and contribute as a single kinship.  There are varying degrees of alliances that range from acting as one cohesive unit to facilitating raids and quests.  Unfortunately, Turbine has yet to create an option for official in-game alliances.  This has been done if various other MMOs and I don't know why we do not have this option here yet.  While there is a limited workaround, using a shared chat channel and cramped friends list, the option to actually see who is online and where and what they are doing is nonexistant.