Transportation to 2014 Championship

[EagleOne]

Hey friends,

As a week 6 qualifier we are scrambling to arrange transportation to the Championship and are running up against some really expensive fares to St. Louis. We are wondering if any teams from KC, Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville or any other areas within 4 hours or so might be traveling in a bus with room for 20 to 25 people and luggage (no robot or big pit items). We would be happy to help offset the cost of your trip if you could squeeze us in.

Once in STL, we will also be looking for ground transportation, so if you are using the bus for that, then we could maybe help reduce your costs on that as well.

Please let me know if any such arrangement might be possible.

Thanks,

Tommy Smeltzer
Team 1138
West Hills, CA
2014 Colorado Regional Champs.

[rich2202]

I have asked our transportation coordinator, but I doubt we have that much extra room. But maybe we could take a few. We would be passing through Chicago (from Milwaukee) about 7:30 am on Wednesday, and around midnight on Saturday (not staying for the Finale). However, I am guessing our preferred route is through Rockford in order to avoid Chicago rush hour traffic.

Note: Amtrak from Chicago to St. Louis is $54/person round trip. It is an easy L ride (Subway, CTA, Chicago Transit Authority - $3?) from O'hare to Downtown where the train station is.

I suggest posting a separate Ground Transportation question. We are staying in Collinsville (about 15 minutes east of St. Louis). So finding a team staying near you is a different question.

[801DOC]

I agree that about the train option. I would definately look at the Amtrak options. I have heard of folks flying into Chicago and then taking the train to STL.

In the past, my team and others have stayed by the airport and taken the metro into downtown. It is fairly quick and inexpensive and runs from early morning to late evening. I was able to book rooms this week at a hotel that offered an airport shuttle that would help to get a team to the stadium that had limited transportation. There are plenty of hotels along the metro route that would help with the logistics.

Good luck and safe travels,
DOC

[HighlandersFRC]

Hey there...This is The Highlanders, 4499, your "lunch buddies" at the Colorado Regional. We are taking a bus from Colorado to St. Louis with a stop over in Kansas. We have a bus for 57 and right now we only have 40 people going out and 35 returning. We would love to help out. Where in Kansas are you going to be? we will have all of our pit stuff and practice robot, but, if you travel lightly we could fit it all. What do you think? I think you should have my email and phone number. We would love to help you guys out! Plus, my team enjoyed getting to know your team...

[RoboticsMom]

Thanks 4499! It's been crazy but we got flights into St. Louis today. Thanks for all of your responses! Looking forward to it!