BallReviews
General Category => USBC Tournament => Topic started by: milorafferty on July 14, 2014, 05:34:47 PM
-
Before reading any further, I don't care about your opinion on USBC, the Open, El Paso as a location for the Open, how unfair that the Open is never close to where you live, that the Open is in Reno too much, etc, etc... ;D
I'm going to El Paso next year in June to bowl the Open. Although I took a flight to Baton Rouge, I intended to drive to El Paso.
1137 miles, so figure 18 hours +/- of driving time. Car rental would be around $500 (I would never drive my car on such a trip), gas @ $4 a gallon would be $300 +/-. Figure if I didn't stay in a motel, my cost to drive would be around $800.
Then I read this article and it got me thinking of checking it out.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2014/07/13/greyhound-transformation-100th-anniversary/12364103/ (http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2014/07/13/greyhound-transformation-100th-anniversary/12364103/)
I've done the bus travel thing in the past, but like 30 years ago. However, after checking out the details, I will probably make the trip on Greyhound to El Paso.
Ticket cost $133 round trip. Travel time would only be about 5 hours difference. No need for a motel. I would rent a car in El Paso once I got there, but it would knock at least 3 days off the rental period. You can take one bag free, plus $15 for a second bag. If you want to take more, say a four ball box, that would cost you $77.
Seems like a no brainer, the bus has WiFi, you can sleep, and would be stress free unless you got someone's smelly Uncle Fred next to you. A rental car for three days less, same car actually is a lot less expensive than where I live in Stockton, CA. That would be around $250 when considering three less days of rental. I won't need a motel on the way there, even if I get sleepy. No chance of getting caught in a speed trap either. These buss's have WiFi and many have TV.
$800+/- to drive, or $575+/- to take the bus? I think I will go Greyhound.
Anyone have recent experience taking the Greyhound Express service?
-
Why no need for a motel room is my question.
I remember Dan Ottman used to take a train all the time to nationals before he passed away.
-
Why no need for a motel room is my question.
I remember Dan Ottman used to take a train all the time to nationals before he passed away.
Because I can sleep on the bus instead of stopping and getting a motel if I get too tired to drive. Unless of course, they need me to drive the bus. ;D I would expect a discount on my ticket though.
-
I might take GH to Reno on the next month...$8.50 I hope they got wifi on this 3 hour bus ride lol
$22 round trip
-
Why no need for a motel room is my question.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the OP is referring to not needing a motel for the trip to El Paso. He's not stating that he is not getting a motel in El Paso and just planning on sleeping in the rental car.
-
Why no need for a motel room is my question.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the OP is referring to not needing a motel for the trip to El Paso. He's not stating that he is not getting a motel in El Paso and just planning on sleeping in the rental car.
Na, I'm just gonna stay on the bus. ;D ;D
Yes, that is correct. I will not need a motel room during the drive to El Paso. I'll need a hotel room when I get there of course.
-
You can spend 20 hours getting reacquainted with your Raiders jersey wearing neighbors on the bus. Let us know how that goes.
Why would you rent a car instead of driving your own? Cars are meant to be driven.
-
You can spend 20 hours getting reacquainted with your Raiders jersey wearing neighbors on the bus. Let us know how that goes.
Why would you rent a car instead of driving your own? Cars are meant to be driven.
I'm not much of a car guy. My car is a Honda Civic. Not really a long distance drive comfortably kinda car. Lol
-
Yea, no doubt I will cross paths with Raider fan on the trip. Lol
-
i would also drive my own car on this trip. civics get great milage...you would only have to fill up twice on the way there. 18 hours would be a long day but personally i would take it or have one of my teammates come along and split it.
-
SWA will put you on a jet plane for $340. 4 hours of travel for 340 or 24 hours on a bus. I don't find a rate as cheap as you did on GH, but I'll take your word for the rate you found as I don't know your actual dates. But if you are willing to sit on a bus for 2 days to save a couple hundy I can't add anything of value to this discussion.
-
Also realize the weather conditions during that time of year. You won't have too much control over your own personal comfort level, unless buses have changed a lot since I last rode.
And I understand not wanting to take your own car. I have what I call a very reliable vehicle but with 175,000 miles. Just not sure I want to test it out driving across the country in June.
-
I hear a lot of good things about Southwest, but they aren't in any of the airports near me. Do they still allow heavier carry on bags? That's where a lot of airlines get you. Reasonable fares, but either won't take 65# of bowling equipment or charge you an arm and a leg for it. Many years ago (to Reno via Delta) I used the top part of my bag as a (checked) carry on and the bottom part of the roller as a regular checked bag. My friend on another flight almost didn't make it because the airline threw a fit over the bowling equipment. I've heard a lot of bad stories over the years about heavy bowling equipment and flights. UPS and FedEx have become a lot more expensive the last few years also.
-
I hear a lot of good things about Southwest, but they aren't in any of the airports near me. Do they still allow heavier carry on bags? That's where a lot of airlines get you. Reasonable fares, but either won't take 65# of bowling equipment or charge you an arm and a leg for it. Many years ago (to Reno via Delta) I used the top part of my bag as a (checked) carry on and the bottom part of the roller as a regular checked bag. My friend on another flight almost didn't make it because the airline threw a fit over the bowling equipment. I've heard a lot of bad stories over the years about heavy bowling equipment and flights. UPS and FedEx have become a lot more expensive the last few years also.
I fly Southwest every year because they allow 2 free checked bags (50lb weight limit) So what I usually do is check (2) 3-ball roller totes which comes in at about 49lbs with (3) 15lb balls and carry on a small suitcase with my clothes/shoes and a small personal bag with an Ipad, reading material, etc. Last time I flew another airline it was like $50 per checked bag each way I believe. Bowling ball express is another option, although I've never used them, and some people have shipped UPS or FedEx to their respective hotel.
-
SWA will put you on a jet plane for $340. 4 hours of travel for 340 or 24 hours on a bus. I don't find a rate as cheap as you did on GH, but I'll take your word for the rate you found as I don't know your actual dates. But if you are willing to sit on a bus for 2 days to save a couple hundy I can't add anything of value to this discussion.
I'm not flying for sure. It's not a money issue, it's just that I have grown to truly hate flying. My experience getting to and from Baton Rouge was a nightmare. Not counting the fact that my bags got lost and didn't arrive until the day after I bowled, but just in time to take them back home with me.
I've already decided between driving and the bus, so just looking at the positives and negatives of each one. My car will make the trip just fine. But it's not a very comfortable car. It's a great commuter, but even for my San Diego trip earlier this year, I rented a larger more comfortable car.
The ticket prices came from the Greyhound site. Under the Greyhound Express tab, round trip from Stockton to LA @ $39.50 and LA to El Paso @ $94.00 leaving June 12th.
-
I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons. I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.
-
I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons. I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.
It definitely won't be relaxing if it's a bus full of Raider fan.
-
Stockton to El Paso on the Greyhound, I hope you speak spanish.
-
We drive to Reno and Vegas every time it's there and we take our own vehicle . . and that's just under 1600 miles for us. I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive your own car . . if it's personal preference I'm not trying to bash you for that and I wouldn't, I just didn't know if there would be another reason, because my personal preference would just be to take my own vehicle.
-
Stockton to El Paso on the Greyhound, I hope you speak spanish.
No habla Español
Well, other than sign language. Like my profile pic shows, sign language is universal! ;D
-
We drive to Reno and Vegas every time it's there and we take our own vehicle . . and that's just under 1600 miles for us. I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive your own car . . if it's personal preference I'm not trying to bash you for that and I wouldn't, I just didn't know if there would be another reason, because my personal preference would just be to take my own vehicle.
It's a Honda Civic. Not a real comfortable long distance car for one. And two, I will be taking 7 bowling balls probably, which will be in the trunk with other luggage. I don't really want all that extra weight in the trunk on a long trip.
I get ask this question often actually. Other things I consider:
1) If I wreck the rental, they send me another rental. If I wreck my car, then I'm stuck until I get it towed and get a rental anyway. AND I have to be out of my car until I get it replaced or repaired.
2) If my rental gets stolen, then they give me another rental, if my car gets stolen, then I have to get a rental, plus I have to replace my car when I get home.
3) If my rental has mechanical problems, they give me another rental, if my car has mechanical problems, then I have to have my car towed and repaired. And would probably need a rental to get to El Paso on time while my car is in the shop.
That's my reasons for renting a car for a longer trip. I'm aware that opinions vary. ;D
-
Gizmo, aren't you the one that drove 3200 miles round trip and only took 2 bowling balls?
-
Lol that makes sense to me. Better safe than sorry . .
We drive to Reno and Vegas every time it's there and we take our own vehicle . . and that's just under 1600 miles for us. I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't just drive your own car . . if it's personal preference I'm not trying to bash you for that and I wouldn't, I just didn't know if there would be another reason, because my personal preference would just be to take my own vehicle.
It's a Honda Civic. Not a real comfortable long distance car for one. And two, I will be taking 7 bowling balls probably, which will be in the trunk with other luggage. I don't really want all that extra weight in the trunk on a long trip.
I get ask this question often actually. Other things I consider:
1) If I wreck the rental, they send me another rental. If I wreck my car, then I'm stuck until I get it towed and get a rental anyway. AND I have to be out of my car until I get it replaced or repaired.
2) If my rental gets stolen, then they give me another rental, if my car gets stolen, then I have to get a rental, plus I have to replace my car when I get home.
3) If my rental has mechanical problems, they give me another rental, if my car has mechanical problems, then I have to have my car towed and repaired. And would probably need a rental to get to El Paso on time while my car is in the shop.
That's my reasons for renting a car for a longer trip. I'm aware that opinions vary. ;D
-
Yeah, because there wasn't enough room after toting 30 balls for other people plus 4 people's worth of luggage lol . .
Gizmo, aren't you the one that drove 3200 miles round trip and only took 2 bowling balls?
-
I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons. I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.
It definitely won't be relaxing if it's a bus full of Raider fan.
Thats not very nice ! :>)
-
Maybe you aren't the best to giving travel guidance to people? Just saying'…..
-
I don't like to fly either, but I have different reasons. I wouldn't expect 24 hours on a bus to be very relaxing, so for me just the amount of recovery time would take the bus out of the picture.
It definitely won't be relaxing if it's a bus full of Raider fan.
Thats not very nice ! :>)
Now Gene, you know I didn't mean you. LOL
There is a big difference between "Raider Fan" and a Raiders Fan.
-
Yes..
We do have a FEW FANatics!!!! We start camp in a another week and the FAN atics will be loose around the Napa Marriott! Sometimes I even get a auto request! :D
-
Lol yeah, you'll notice I wasn't giving any . . but none of my travel arrangements were my decision, never are. If I had it my way I'd fly to the long stuff, and carpool with just a couple people to the shorter stuff. The year we went to Albuquerque went pretty good.
Maybe you aren't the best to giving travel guidance to people? Just saying'…..
-
Milo,
If you just move your dates up to April, we could commute together, plus it won't be as hot as June! LOL.
-
Milo,
If you just move your dates up to April, we could commute together, plus it won't be as hot as June! LOL.
I would, but I have 9 other people who will scream and yell at me!
-
Most of them can move to April and the one's that can't can be replaced! LOL
Besides you used to post in the Misc Non-Bowling forum, you should be used to that. :P
-
I've driven to Reno a few times. By the time I take a few side trips it is generally about 3500 miles round trip.
I rent a car for the trip and it cost me about $200. The car I rent gets better gas mileage
and I don't get the wear and tear on my car.
If I dove my car it would take an oil change and a 1/15 of the cost of a new set of tires and another $50 in gas cost. Not even counting prorating any repair cost that will come earlier. I figure it is a no brainer.
-
A greyhound by any other name is still a greyhound. You forgot to budget for hold up money in your analysis.
-
I've driven to Reno a few times. By the time I take a few side trips it is generally about 3500 miles round trip.
I rent a car for the trip and it cost me about $200. The car I rent gets better gas mileage
and I don't get the wear and tear on my car.
If I dove my car it would take an oil change and a 1/15 of the cost of a new set of tires and another $50 in gas cost. Not even counting prorating any repair cost that will come earlier. I figure it is a no brainer.
I'm of the same mindset Pinbuster. I always rent a car for anything over 200 miles or so. Even though the rental will not get the gas mileage my Honda does, I still feel I come out ahead in the the long run.
One thing to consider about the cost to drive your own car, my company reimburses $.56 per mile if an employee uses their personal car for travel. Although we have a fleet of cars available, it's an option the company offers and is up to the employee. I've done the math before and you could actually rent a car, and still come out ahead with the $.56 per mile figure.
There is a bigger expense to driving your own car than just the gas.
-
A greyhound by any other name is still a greyhound. You forgot to budget for hold up money in your analysis.
Ah, now see I didn't figure that into my budget! Maybe RaiderH20Boy can talk to Raider Fan and get me a pass. ;D
-
I've read a few reviews of Greyhound online and it doesn't paint a pretty picture. LOL
I figured I can actually work while on the bus, so might not have to use vacation days for the trip, but not if it's as bad as the reviews make it sound.
-
Milo, perhaps a good idea would be to take a sample trip before June to decide if the accommodations on the GH bus are ok for you. Nothing too fancy, perhaps a trip to Vegas or San Diego, someplace not too far but far enough to get a good idea of expectations. Then you can decide if you want to take a longer trip.
-
Milo, perhaps a good idea would be to take a sample trip before June to decide if the accommodations on the GH bus are ok for you. Nothing too fancy, perhaps a trip to Vegas or San Diego, someplace not too far but far enough to get a good idea of expectations. Then you can decide if you want to take a longer trip.
Good idea, I could take the initial leg of the trip to LA. That would allow me to see what the bus is like, see the type of folks who take the trip to LA and the type of people who get on the bus to El Paso.
It would only cost me $39 round trip, so that wouldn't be bad. Except it would waste a day. LOL
-
Just go spend an hour at the bus station. Then go home and take a shower.
-
Just go spend an hour at the bus station. Then go home and take a shower.
Lol
Thats probably exactly how it will happen!
-
A greyhound by any other name is still a greyhound. You forgot to budget for hold up money in your analysis.
Ah, now see I didn't figure that into my budget! Maybe RaiderH20Boy can talk to Raider Fan and get me a pass. ;D
OUCH!!!
-
I probably wasn't going anyway, but after seeing what is happening to the prize fund, there is no way I incur the expense of going to El Paso.
-
I think I may fly into Phoenix or Houston (from Cleveland), then rent a car. I have family in both places.