Early Arrival Help?

[logan5]

Well I'm super excited this year to be setting up a killer art installation. It's called the Tetrion.





7 pieces, 7 colors. About 6 tons of scaffolding, over 800 square yards of fabric... I'm excited.

Our placement is 11:45 and 1800'.

We arranged and produced the whole project from Hawaii (where we live), and I have to say its quite an organizational achievement to do a project from Hawaii. Previous projects I've done from CA and that was easy.

Our 40' container left already and is getting delivered to the playa. Truck to boat to truck to playa, and back again. Kind of a nightmare.

I originally had a 4 man team set to set this up but after doing the dry run here I found that it took 6 of us 6 days to set it up. Now I'm scared that I won't be able to finish setting up the project in time.

I managed to get my team on the early arrival list so we could have some additional time to set up, but I realized this week (right after we finished the pre-lim setup) that the team is inadequate. So I arranged for more workers to help... but my problem is I need to get some people approved for early arrival and its very far past the deadline.

So does anyone know of any way to get a few more workers in early to make my project happen? I'm desperate now. We need the manpower, everyone has tickets, and plane tickets too, all I need is the OK to bring a couple more people in 2 days early.

Is this possible in any way? Does anyone know if there is any kind of help from BM for my predicament?

Thanks

-

[ibdave]

When you check in with the "ARTERY" they should have a list for projects that need help. People come in looking for a project to help and the Artery will send them your way...

[Dr. Pyro]

Hell, I'm in charge of getting the early arrival passes for an entire village of Wheeeee!Ville, and I haven't gotted diddly squat. The people who are handling this (I am told) are already on the playa, and I have people coming in from overseas who need their barcodes ASAP because they will be unable to receive emails after Monday evening. I am not very optimistic.

[Mata]

If you come find me on the playa Saturday afternoon I'll help you recruit some help out there. PM me.

I really doubt you'll be able to get early entry passes at this point. It will be much much easier on Monday to find people who want to help build something cool.

What's it all do?

Ben

[logan5]

Thanks for the offers, but I wouldn't even attempt to find find people on-playa to help. There is too much danger of injury to themselves, to the equipment, to everyone. My tallest structure is over 40' tall, we have safety harnesses, we're lifting 1000's of pounds of metal with winches. All of my team has been trained and drilled here. We need to do rigging, wiring, fabric work hanging off a tower several stories high.

Unfortunately, what I need is my team. They've all been through the rigors and know what they need to know.

Its really sad that its so difficult to get my team in early to set this up.
They already have their plane tickets too... I guess they'll just get stuck outside the gate until monday?

Why is it so tough for my art installation to get passes when I hear about themecamps having all these extra passes they are just giving away.

[Cooky]

Hmm, if you know of theme camps giving away early arrival passes perhaps you could work with them to get passes. All of the theme camps I know got significantly less passes than requested and have been cutting their set up crews.

Have you called BMan HQ to try to speak with someone in the artery to see if there is any chance to get two additional passes? Yes, almost everyone is on playa but you never know.

Or, have you emailed with the person who approved your art placement? Wifi is intermittent but I know some folks who are working setup on playa have been checking email a bit.

I wouldn't entirely rule out getting skilled help on playa. I helped set up a 50 foot tall steel roller coaster on playa for a few years. I was suprised by the riggers and high steel workers who came walking up and offered their services.

Good luck.

Cooky

[Toolmaker]

Get a bullhorn and allow participants in the build to camp inside the tetris pieces. Should get built in no time.. you should prolly have confirmed with the ORG the time needed to setup this piece and got on the playa a week in advance. Proper Previous Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

[LeChatNoir]

I wouldn't entirely rule out getting skilled help on playa. I helped set up a 50 foot tall steel roller coaster on playa for a few years. I was suprised by the riggers and high steel workers who came walking up and offered their services.

Good luck.

Cooky

This is very true. The playa is a serious wealth of highly skilled people from all walks of life. I usually catch up out there every year with one of the best heavy machine operators I have ever witnessed. And he's one of thousands and thousands of others with equally rated skill sets out there.

[logan5]

Tis true, there are many skilled playa people around. But how can you really tell? If some guy walks up and says yeah he can do high steel work... can he really? Do I chance having his drop a load? One error is enough to be disastrous.

I definitely knew this piece would be a long build. I planned on 4 guys in 3 days early. That's all been approved. So at least part of my team is already on the menu. Didn't quite realize I underestimated the work til we finished the pre-lim setup here. Took 6 of us 6 days. I just wanted to add a few guys to my team, but missed the date.

I'll try the Org # monday morning. Maybe I'll get lucky. I already tried my 'artery rep'. She pretty much said 'No, seriously NO.'

I must be missing some information cause I can't fathom why some printed barcodes are so troublesome to make.

I'll keep my fingers crossed, and I am exploring all options.

Would it be totally anti-Burner like to say.. offer some... err.. booze, drugs, or money to get some passes ;) ? hehehe, desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Mata]

It's not just un burner ly or whatever to offer those things, it's also illegal and stupid. Can't get it done by Monday? Get it done by Wednesday. Or whenever. 2 extra people for 2 extra days really shouldn't make or break your project. Get burnerlicious and go with the flow. And say no to bribes. You know from the way you asked the question that it's not in the spirit of the event. Not even remotely.

Early entry passes are given out based on need (hopefully) and in any case requests were due in a long time ago.

What's it do?

[gyre]

You might be able to get people in early if they offer to do something that someone is short on people for.
I've been told, "I don't care what they told you, if you're willing to work _______, let me know and we'll get you in."
Of course, they want you to do something for their shifts.

No guarantee though.

[theCryptofishist]

I must be missing some information cause I can't fathom why some printed barcodes are so troublesome to make.

It's supposed to be the BLM permit stipulations. That they limit the number of people on playa pre and post event.

[ibdave]

Ok, question here...
My Pass is for greeters and Ranger shifts and MUST have I.D. to go with it.. Now do theme camps Passes need I.D. also???

[theCryptofishist]

I think not. The theme camp passes are sent to the head (or some other designated person) of the camp and then passed out. Somehow I have too, but with my name. Anyway, from all the talk on the Terminal City planning list, the passes are at the discretion of the camp head.

[StevenGoodman]

Anyway, from all the talk on the Terminal City planning list, the passes are at the discretion of the camp head.

There are two kinds of passes. Staff people (and some other people) have specific passes, based on their name. These are people doing specific volunteer shifts, BMorg Staff, etc.

Art Projects and Theme Camps have passes with no names, each one has a unique ID# so it can only be used once. This allows the projects to handle last minute changes without getting the pass re-assigned by the BMorg.

This was useful for my project, as one of my crew canceled at the last minute, but he provided a replacement.

Many Art Projects and Theme Camps do not get as many passes as they request. The BMorg has a maximum number of people they can let in early. Basically, everyone early has to be setting up Art or Theme Camps, not just there to party!

It is possible to find projects with "extra" passes; usually because they had people cancel. Most are happy to have people use the passes, but they are going to want some help on their project! But at least your aren't sitting in Reno waiting for Monday.

Martini Steve

[Toolmaker]

I heard PG&E are in need of some shifts filled. Maybe you could offer up some shifts at Gate or Perimiter to get a couple more of your people in.

Also consider trying to streamline your assembly process, also consider trying to have some things pre-assembled if possible. Sometimes just being a lil more organized with a good plan can save hours if not days.

[logan5]

How do I get in touch with PG&E? We'd be happy to offer some shifts to get a few people in.

Offering to help other projects for a pass is the avenue I've been looking down most. Think I got one for some help to drive a big rig in.

Streamlining the assembly process is what I've already done. My 40' container left hawaii days ago, gets delivered to the playa, and as much as can be pre-assembled is already done, subject to what will fit into a 40' container.

And I'm all down to get dirty on the playa to get everything done in time, even enlisting help, since that's the BM way.

I'm wondering what my team, those who can't get in, whose flights from hawaii are already booked, whose transportation to the playa is already booked, will do when they get there. Camp out at will call for the 2 days they're not allowed in? Poll incoming projects to see who has extra passes? Camp out in line at the gate like fans waiting to get into a concert? It's not like they have vehicles and can stay in reno or some other place for a few days.

And lastly, no matter how un-burner it is, if someone has passes and wanted some work, or even money, for the passes. I'd do it. What's illegal about that? No one is exactly gifting me some passes. I'd be happy to barter, trade, or even pay for them.

[Badger]

How do I get in touch with PG&E? We'd be happy to offer some shifts to get a few people in.

You're gaming the system.

That sucks.

In this case 'offering some gifts to get a few people in' is a blatant bribe.

That too is bullshit.

And lastly, no matter how un-burner it is, if someone has passes and wanted some work, or even money, for the passes. I'd do it. What's illegal about that? No one is exactly gifting me some passes. I'd be happy to barter, trade, or even pay for them.

Oh and is that the BM way as well. Thank you for illuminating in such a stellar way why early-ins end up being so fucked for the people who take the time to plan.

Really, you suck.

[pignome]

Hiya,

We have been trying to get in early to set up our camp which houses a Master Rigger and his assistant. We actually just returned from Hawaii and down-rigged "Falls of Clyde". If you can get us in we can help...but as of now we haven't been able to find a way in early.


Thanks,

piper

[pignome]

Gosh didn't read far enough ahead.

I guess you already have help...
...And other's here don't appreciate your bribes, pleas and general "working of the system."

I'm sorry it's not working out as you had planned...sometimes it's like that.

And know that even though you feel the "Dead-line".
There really is no "Dead-line".

Sometimes projects are finished Hours before they are burned.
It's the process. Enjoy it. It will get done or it won't.

We would love, of course to help you set up, but it sounds like this situation has it's own Burning man variables.


Good Luck and enjoy the crazies,

piper

[gyre]

How do I get in touch with PG&E? We'd be happy to offer some shifts to get a few people in.

You're gaming the system.

That sucks.

I'm still trying to work out how doing something they need done is gaming the system?

[Toolmaker]

How do I get in touch with PG&E? We'd be happy to offer some shifts to get a few people in.

You're gaming the system.

That sucks.

I'm still trying to work out how doing something they need done is gaming the system?

I think he was referin to the cutoff date for volunteers. Yer supposed to sign up in advance for working the event in any capacity.

[pinemom]

hehhee...were talking about Badger here!

And logan5...here's a cool thing....what happens on playa time, IS different! Chances are your set up will be way shorter then 6 days becuase ...yes, you have now set it all the way up once! Thats usually all it takes. doing it from start to finish all the way once...then the next time you do it, it goes incredibly faster and easier then the first time round.
You dont do things the way you did it the first time, cause you founjd that it didnt work and you found a new way to do it, but that process took you hours to concieve...that kinda stuff....you now get to take all the trial and error out of the time equation.


...and most peeps are right.....its the playa...and if you get that last grommit strung right before you set it on fire...or pack it up for return...then oh well....its the playa.
People will still appreciate your hard work and determination.
Next yr, you have a better idea of what time+#workers+passes+installation=how many passes to get.

We ask for 20 we get 15...I always try to pick the hardest workers for those 15! example, I wont need mr. smith, cause mr. smith brings mrs. smith and all she does is bitch about the heat, and make mr. smith calm her down, taking him away from the work needing to be done.
Not saying that Mrs. smith isnt a great part of someones camp, you just have to look at it that way as far as work getting done.
If you have a married couple or a team of friends that come, so out of the 3 of the friends only one is a good worker, then that 2 wasted passes.
get my drift....

Its all in the guidelines you set for yourself and your gifted art.
If you plan....it will go wrong...if you guideline, then you give yourself some breathing room for the possibilities that you may have to alter the road your traveling to make things adjust to fit.

[Badger]

Toolmaker nailed it.

[gyre]

In spite of all efforts, my plans are rarely set early enough for deadlines.


Once you have come in early and actually worked, attitudes are very different about getting you a pass or trying you on a crew you haven't worked on before.