What are the MOST IMPORTANT Rally Dates? And Other Important Questions

[Merryband1]

Since I still haven't found a roommate, I'm looking to cut expenses. I know the calendar says Nov 5 - Nov 11, but what day does the Rally actually start? When does it end? And do I need to stay through Monday? I want to be there for all the important things, and while I'd love to be there early and help stuff bags and maybe get out to Calabasas and see the Office (and maybe tune and play the infamous koto!), I need to be realistic about how much money I have. I want to take as many pertinent classes as I can. I can't tell you all how excited I am to get to meet so many of my TAXI family in person. I'm hoping to connect with future collaborators and help with your projects. (And I need to work on my elevator speech!)

I'm now planning to fly into San Diego for my mom's funeral instead of LAX and then taking the train down, as a direct flight to SD will be cheaper. Does anyone know the cheapest way to get from San Diego back to LA to the Westin? I can't ride buses, because the fumes make me extremely ill. I was thinking of hitching a ride with Funsongs (Peter Rahill), but it doesn't look like our arrival times are going to coincide. I'd be happy to pitch in for gasoline if someone else is driving up from San Diego. I'll be staying with cousins in Scripps Ranch until I leave for LA.

Failing that, how complicated is it to get from Union Station to LAX? I saw that there's a tram, but it looks like you have to change trams at one spot. Also, I'm not sure about getting my carryon bag from the train station to the hotel. I probably can't afford a taxi, and we probably all know what LA traffic is like, if I could think about renting a car. The last time I drove through LA was at midnight hauling our now-defunct travel trailer, and a premiere was just letting out. The 5 was clogged with stretched limos. And that was 20 years ago! Almost to the date! (I was headed to Salinas for a gig.)

So, I'm looking for recommendations on getting from San Diego to LAX. Maybe just hopping a commuter jet would be the easiest? I know the train would be more relaxing. I haven't flown since I was a toddler, so I'm already a little stressed at having to fly halfway across the country. If the train trip from my closest station didn't take so long, I'd have taken the train to CA, but I don't have the time to invest, and I'd still have the pesky Get To The Hotel problem.

Any reasonable suggestions appreciated! Thanks bunches!

Merry/Merryband/Marion

[funsongs]

So, I'm looking for recommendations on getting from San Diego to LAX. Maybe just hopping a commuter jet would be the easiest? I know the train would be more relaxing. I haven't flown since I was a toddler, so I'm already a little stressed at having to fly halfway across the country. If the train trip from my closest station didn't take so long, I'd have taken the train to CA, but I don't have the time to invest, and I'd still have the pesky Get To The Hotel problem.

Any reasonable suggestions appreciated! Thanks bunches!

Merry/Merryband/Marion

Will send you a PM - private reply, email to follow.

[AlanHall]

Since I still haven't found a roommate, I'm looking to cut expenses. I know the calendar says Nov 5 - Nov 11, but what day does the Rally actually start?

I'm not sure why the hotel has the nights of the 5th and 6th marked off for the rally, seems strange to me but I'm not an expert.

Last year was my first rally, I stayed three nights (thurs/fri/sat) and left on Sunday to save on hotel costs. You could conceivably arrive Friday, but you'd miss out on a lot of good stuff - not the least being in the registration line with everybody else on Thursday afternoon. Leaving Sunday was a logistical challenge for me last year. I'm staying the extra night this time, for a fourth night (sun). Hope this info is helpful!

[gitanosoy]

They have those rates from the 5th for Taxi members who are wanting to arrive early in the week, especially those who travel long ways to get there and want to relax and maybe deal with jet lag before the official RR date from Nov 7-10.

[Casey H]

While I recommend being there from Thurs late afternoon/evening, through Sunday (4 hotel nights), if you absolutely had to minimize your hotel nights, you could arrive early Friday morning and leave Sunday night. Some fly home on a red eye Sunday night. That would be 2 hotel nights-- Fri, Sat. You would check out of the hotel Sunday morning and store your luggage with the hotel folks.

HTH
Casey

[Merryband1]

Thank you all for the good information! I will work on it! While arriving early would be interesting and fun, I think I'll need at least a day to decompress with my cousins after the funeral. I miss them and San Diego a lot.

Feeling a little Merrier right now. Will check on return dates.

Merry/Merryband/Marion

[AlanHall]

Feeling a little Merrier right now.

Good for ya, Marion! All your Taxi friends are pulling and/or praying for you and your family.

[Merryband1]

Thanks, Alan! I appreciate it so much!

I went to the ER this morning to make sure I didn't have whooping cough. I don't. Just acute bronchitis and a bad cold. Thankful no pneumonia, COVID, or flu!

Merry

[VanderBoegh]

Hey Merry, I typically cut out a bit early on Sunday late afternoon / early evening. By doing this, I DO miss the final pitch panel of the conference, but I don't submit music for those anyway, so I'm not missing any opportunities. Cutting out early on Sunday saves an extra night of hotel, which is pretty much the equivalent of a plane ride back to Boise for me.

I wouldn't advise cutting out Thursday though, as that's when the fun begins. Me personally, I'm getting in Thursday morning, and leaving Sunday late afternoon, as I do pretty much every year.

~~Matt

[Merryband1]

Thanks, Matt!

I think I'll probably stay Sunday night, since flights from LAX on Sunday to XNA are more expensive than on Monday. I appreciate the tips! I have been looking forward to this ever since first joining TAXI, so long ago now since the first membership that I don't remember when it was! But it's been a while even since the second time I joined, and except for the Virtual Rallies during the Pandemic, I have never gotten to attend. Those were wonderful, but I know being there in person will be a whole new experience. I'd better load up on face masks, just in case of germs!

Cheers!
Merry