Aaagh! Good news / Bad News for a newb coming to the Playa

[caveatlector]

So, due to professional issues it looks like I'm going to have to fly out to Reno rather than drive to the Playa with my friends.

The good news is my boss is going to foot the bill for the flight. The bad news, of course, is I need to figure out how impossible it is to get a lift this late into the game from Reno.

The plan isn't set in stone, of course, and if dig my heels in I probably can still take the lift.

So... am I looking at a very unlikely chance to get a lift onto the Playa so late int he game?

Help!

[cahlm]

So, due to professional issues it looks like I'm going to have to fly out to Reno rather than drive to the Playa with my friends.

The good news is my boss is going to foot the bill for the flight. The bad news, of course, is I need to figure out how impossible it is to get a lift this late into the game from Reno.

The plan isn't set in stone, of course, and if dig my heels in I probably can still take the lift.

So... am I looking at a very unlikely chance to get a lift onto the Playa so late int he game?

Help!

I believe there is a ride share forum, my man. Best bet is there.

[Token]

Have your friend haul all your stuff and water in.

Fly to Reno.

Fly from Reno to BRC with no luggage.

Advantage Air Solutions flys to BRC daily.

Have your boss pick up that tab as well.

[Just_Joe]

There is a welcome/info desk "Air Playa Info" at Baggage Claim.
Yours truly will be working there this Friday.

*Rideshare – Sharing a Ride to Burning Man*

Burning Man is approximately 125 miles or 2.5 hours away from Reno. Experience
proves that inquiring with fellow Burning Man participants about sharing a ride
with them in their vehicle to the playa is possible directly from the Reno-Tahoe
International Airport or from three local Rideshare Bases.

Helpful Tips:

• Check in at Air Playa Info for anyone with a rental car who may have a
spare seat to the playa, or

for others looking to carpool a taxi to one of the rideshare bases.
• Offering to chip in for gas is a plus.
• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt – it’s the law.
• Please LEAVE NO TRACE.
• Be comfortable with those you may come to share a ride with.

Rideshare Locations

Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Many fellow burners rent a car from the airport for their trip to the playa and
check in at Air Playa Info for information before setting off. Some may have a
spare seat and may be willing to accommodate a rideshare. Remember the above
Helpful Tips in negotiating a ride.

Rideshare Bases

There are three locations in Reno where a lot of people stop to pick up
supplies on their way to Burning Man. Each is next to a highway and major
travel route to the playa, and each is located about 10 minutes from the
airport. If you go to any of these locations during their regular business
hours, you are likely to find a ride to the playa. Remember the above Helpful
Tips in negotiating a ride. Here are the three Rideshare Bases:

• Save Mart Supermarket – 525 Keystone Avenue – 775-786-2150 – Open 24 Hours
• Whole Foods Market – 6139 South Virginia Street – 775-852-8023 – Open
8am-9pm
• Trader Joe’s – 5035 South McCarran Boulevard – 775-826-1621 - Open
8am-10pm

Getting to a Rideshare Base

There are three primary means of getting from the airport to one of these
rideshare bases:

• Rideshare – Check in at Air Playa Info, someone with a rental car may be
willing to take you to one of the rideshare bases, if not directly to the playa.
• Taxi – A taxi ride to any of the rideshare bases should cost around $10.
Check in at Air Playa Info, others may be willing to carpool a taxi with you to
one of the locations. BE SURE TO TELL THE TAXI DRIVER TO USE THE FREEWAY.
• Shuttle - Only operating on Monday or Tuesday (August 30-31) during Burning
Man, there will be a free shuttle c/o The Amendment 21 and Reno-Tahoe Airport
Authority devoted exclusively to taking people from the airport to the Save Mart
on Keystone rideshare location. The shuttle will generally operate from
10am-2pm, and from 6:30-8:30pm on Monday and Tuesday. Check in at Air Playa
Info, first, if you are interested in taking the shuttle. Air Playa Info
volunteers will schedule you for the next shuttle.

[LostinReno]

There is a welcome/info desk "Air Playa Info" at Baggage Claim.
Yours truly will be working there this Friday.

Total thread drift! *SQUIRREL*
Ha! Which shift are you working? I'm on between 12-3

[googbox]

I'll be there Sat 3-6 and Sunday 9-12. I have a feeling I might be around longer...sometimes when I'm surrounded by beautiful, happy burners I have a hard time escaping into the cruel default world.

Although, that weekend in Reno is sooo fun and charged with amazing energy. Even before I ever made it to the playa, I used to wander around the walmart parking lot and talk to burners from all over.

[dewnorth]

You can buy water in Gerlach this year, if that helps you. From The Jack Rabbit Speaks-8/11/2010:

PURCHASE WATER IN GERLACH

Ranger Keeper also writes:

"The Gerlach GID, our local town governing body, will be selling potable water for filling up RVs and water tanks of any size starting August 27th. We will have ample filling stations in front of the community center, with directional signs located as you enter town on Main Street. Our rates this year will be comparable with Reno at .50/gallon up to 100 gallons, .45/gallon for sales above 100 and less than 200 gallons, and .40/gallon for sales larger than 200 gallons.

This decision has been made in an attempt to keep our water rates reasonable for the citizens of Gerlach. We have a top notch water treatment plant here, but due to the small size of our town, our 150 residents must pay for the maintenance of an entire water system. We want to provide a town resource to the participants of Burning Man, and we think this will save you money in addition to helping our town. Water weighs 8 lbs per gallon, and by buying your water in Gerlach you will avoid paying fuel costs to transport your water from Reno or even farther.

Our hours of operation will be 12 pm – 10 pm with a person available on-call when closed. We are ONLY accepting cash payments as we do not have a credit/debit machine. PLEASE pass this information on to any regional lists you may be on! Our office can be contacted at 775-557-2601 or [email protected] with any questions or to arrange fill-ups prior to August 27th.

~Ranger Keeper, Treasurer, Gerlach GID"

[ZenoBoy]

We have people in our camp who suddenly had to work for the first 3 days of the week next week. They are now flying in. We are hauling all their supplies so they can hop on the plane with a backpack and a jacket.

They booked a small economy rental car. They land in Reno, get their car and drive out that night.

It's doable. If there are no rental cars available now, ride share or playa info are your friends or a flying monkey.

[Ke'Chara]

True story, and not uncommon, I don't think - 2008, me and my travel buddy landed in Reno, walked outside, looked around for a minute, and tripped over a trio of Italian Burners who had just picked up their RV - we said "Hey, can we hitch a ride with you?" they said "Sure!" and voila, we had a ride.

Not saying smartest or safest, but it worked.

[caveatlector]

Okay... the ride who I'm missing my lift with TO the Playa is likely going to be able to pick me up from Reno.

Now, the next challenge: I'm landing at 8pm on the Saturday. It was the only flight available that I could afford that didn't involve 2+ connections.

I'm thinking an extended stay at Reno's lounge is probably the best thing to do till the morning, where I'll head to Home Depot, but perhaps you folks have better ideas?

[lucky420]

Airport Plaza Motel right across the street. The Reno airport is not very big but if you're comfortable staying there all night, then go for it.