[Ansteorra] Flying - Pennsic

[Stefan li Rous]

On Jul 11, 2006, at 12:24 AM, L T wrote:

> Does anyone know the logistics of flying to Pennsic?
> I've heard from several folks that flying into Toledo is cheaper
> and about the same distance from the site as Pittsburg...
>
> LDeerSlayer

I have been flying up to Pennsic since Pennsic 27, other than last  
year when I'd just gotten a new job. Since I got laid off again in  
May, I'm not sure if I will be going to Pennsic this year or not, but  
I'm thinking I will.

I have always flown into Pittsburg because it is much closer to  
Pennsic. The other airports may be a bit cheaper, depending upon the  
flight, but since I depend upon the generosity of friends to come  
pick me up at the airport and take me back there, I try to make it as  
easy for them as I can.

There are a number of other logistics problems to be concerned with.  
I would happy to correspond with folks thinking of flying to Pennsic.  
The amount of stuff you can take with you on a flight is rather  
limited and getting more limited as the airplanes get fuller and the  
airlines try to squeeze out more profits. You can take extra baggage  
but it is very expensive and if it is "oversized" they tack on even  
more money.

I have a special wheeled footlocker just for Pennsic which is just  
under the maximum baggage size. I then strap on top of that an ice  
chest full of other stuff. The strap lets me wheel them through the  
airport as one unit. When you are alone this makes a difference. I  
then carry an overnight bag with me on the flight with the stuff I  
have to have if the airlines lose a bag(s). And they have. Since you  
are allowed to bring a coat, I throw a warm cloak over my shoulder.  
Much better than trying to find space in my luggage, even if it does  
look weird walking though the Austin airport with 100+ degrees  
outside. :-)

For the last several years it has been possible for individuals to  
ship items directly to Pennsic. However they must be timed to arrive  
there during Pennsic, not before. There is a small, nominal charge at  
the merchants trailer to pick these up. I usually ship one of my  
standard footlockers which I use for regular SCA events, and which  
the airlines consider "oversize". Either by USPS, UPS or Federal  
Express. Federal Express has the best tracking, but they used to be  
across town from me. The "mail stores" are a rip-off since for simply  
holding the package for Federal Express to pickup, they charge you  
~40% more. From Austin it takes about 9 days to get to Pennsic by  
USPS. About one or two days less coming home, for whatever reason.  
Federal Express is several days faster.

To mail your box home from Pennsic, there is a little postal cart set  
up near the Pennsic gate. You can also use this to mail home all  
those books that you buy (well at least I do). I used to mail home my  
laundry and bring the books with me on the airplane, but the airlines  
have gotten much, much pickier about baggage weight as well as  
reducing the maximum from 70 lbs to 50 lbs. Unfortunately it is  
difficult to weight things at Pennsic and one time I was forced to  
shift items from one piece of baggage to another while at the baggage  
counter coming home from Pennsic to avoid extra charges.  So, now I  
ship my books home.

If you choose to mail items home from Pennsic, BE AWARE that the  
postal cart has highly reduced hours. Only 10 - 2 pm and only Monday  
through Friday.

You can save some baggage space, for Pennsic, by not taking a bed or  
even an air mattress. Get a sheet or tablecloth from a thrift store,  
fold it in half and sew up two sides. When you get to Pennsic, buy a  
bale of straw for $5, break it up and stuff the bag with it. When you  
are through, just leave the straw in your camp. The $5 fee includes  
disposal.

I hope this helps anyone thinking about flying to Pennsic. Eventually  
I may create a Florilegium file on this topic, but I haven't yet.

Stefan
--------
THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
    Mark S. Harris           Austin, Texas           
StefanliRous at austin.rr.com
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****