How do air travelers do it?

halfshadows · Post by **halfshadows** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:48 am

Circumstances beyond my control have required me to rearrange my travel plans last minute this year from driving out (from the East Coast) and having at least half a car of cargo space to having to flying out.

Now I know that Burning Man has a lot of world travelers, who necessarily fly to the burn. But I'm having a hard time simplifying my packing to fit airline check-in luggage restrictions, both in terms of contraband and space. (No rebar?!?) I am camping not with a theme camp but a group of friends that I don't know well enough to ask for tons of favors.

So I was wondering what kinds of tips other air travelers might have as far as what to bring and what to leave? Especially with regards to the whole bike situation, but also in general, how do both keep it light and Be Prepared?

Thanks!

skygod · Post by **skygod** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:54 am

Ask Phil!
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=14182

halfshadows · Post by **halfshadows** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:29 am

Hmmm. Thank you. That is helpful for knowing what is in Reno. Since I'm flying into Reno and driving from there with rideshare strangers, though, I don't feel comfortable commandeering the itinerary with a shopping trip. I'm trying to fly in with everything I need (except water and food which they have kindly offered to stop for), just in case.

Anyone in a similar circumstance? How do you manage?

psilence · Post by **psilence** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:33 am

Probably too late for it by now unless you want to overnight things, but you can just pack all your gear up and ship it ahead of time and pick it up once you get to reno.

http://www.thecityofreno.com/mailbox/index.html

From my thread:

I thought I would follow up on this for posterity's sake. All you have to do is call one of the Mailboxes Etc locations (now UPS Stores) and they will give you the run down.

-3 Different size boxes, personal boxes start at $15/month
-Rent for 3, 6, or 12 month periods
-Sign for packages and store them for you
-24 Hour access to the mailbox
-If a box is too big for your mailbox they hold it behind the counter and leave a card in your mailbox telling you how to get to it. There is a catch, in that you can only get to the counter when the store is open.
-If you are out of the city and want to get a mailbox there all you have to do is have them fax you the application, then you fill it out and also fax 2 forms of acceptable ID (listed on the app) along with the app. Then they take your CC over the phone and away you go.

Handy and just what I was looking for, and for anyone else in my situation now or in the future, I hope you find this post.

Thanks,
Joe

It ended up costing us $108 to ship a 100 pound, 165qt cooler via UPS Ground. Here's the original thread:

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... highlight=

Also of note is that they won't be checking for "contraband" items when you ship your gear

(Speaking of rebar, shaving gel, and water of course.)

-Joe

NancyBen · Post by **NancyBen** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:43 am

It's way too late to be asking this, but I have two suggestions for you next year:

1) Put your gear on a truck. Videogasm drives a big ole truck out from Philly every year, a pretty easy drive out to pick up and drop off in your car.
[url]http://www.videogasm.com/burningman/bigoletruck/[/url]

2) Fly Southwest. They let you check 3 bags instead of the usual 2. Watch out for weight restrictions, though.

-ben

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:48 pm

This is the first time I've flown in and am wrestling with a similar problem. But operating within the contraints of logisitics has always been a challenge I appreciate abouit the event. It is making me rearrange my thinking a bit.

halfshadows · Post by **halfshadows** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:57 pm

Oh? What have you worked out so far?

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:59 pm

If you had flown into Sacramento I would have driven you.

phil · Post by **phil** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:27 pm

Some people arrange with Twin Cities Surplus to have everything they need waiting for them, then they drop it off there on their way home for TCS to dispose of, reclaim, whatever.

My suggestion is to communicate with the people you're traveling out to the Playa with. Please tell them what the situation is, and ask what they suggest. It may be that having you shop isn't a problem. Maybe you can fly out a day or half a day early and do your shopping at a big mall with all you need at one stop, then have them meet you there.

The issue is with them, so talk it over with them. They'll have a solution for you.

Lorgasm · Post by **Lorgasm** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:33 pm

Use coolers in leiu of luggage. Trust me.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:17 pm

What I have worked out?

I'm traveling light, few costumes, no trinkets. All gifts will come from the sweat of my brow. I will find people who need help with their project. I am buying much of my camping stuff in Reno and dropping it off at the goodwill or similar at the end. More then anything it truly is a shift in attitude. At home, as I sit under my shade structure I know I am going to wish for it on the playa. But I can't have it an must adapt.

And I'm cheating: A friend from Denver came down, picked up my burn barrel and pyrodough and ONE tub O'my stuff.

Rockville eh? I used to live in Adams-Morgan. BM needs more Beltway folk! (or is it the other way around?).

Anybody giving you a ride should be very accomodating to shopping needs, and will likely have their own as well. If they are not accomodating, find another ride.

Cosmic Code Authority · Post by **Cosmic Code Authority** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:40 am

hi halfshadows, we discussed a rideshare from Maryland last year (I flaked out on you, though...)

NancyBen wrote:2) Fly Southwest. They let you check 3 bags instead of the usual 2. Watch out for weight restrictions, though.

whenever I travel anywhere (bus, train or plane) I try to carry on everything so as to not let my posseeions out of my sight. and though maybe you wouldn't want to carry on everything, you can try to carry on a lot.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:58 am

It's a camping trip. Bring your camping supplies. Read the frikken survival guide.

farfromhome · Post by **farfromhome** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:42 am

This year is hosed for my wife and I. Prior to this, the luxury of a short drive has been bliss. Throw everything in the van and drive for about 6 hours. We moved and had no way to do anything this year. Next year, we are looking at flying and have already started the logistics of that effort. One of the things that we came up with was Southwest and the 3 bag check - one of those bags will be a golf club hardcase we found at a goodwill. It will have our tents and shade packed in it. The basics will be flying with us, and once there, we will be hitting Twin Cities to pick up the rest. Food - nothing fancy.. the hardest part of the planning will be Water. I suggest that you make friends with somebody on Playa and put your water request in with them for next year.