Rallies: what days of the week are best for people with J.O.B.s?

[scott nutter1]

Yea,
I just don't think that there is a "works good for everyone solution". Like I said earlier, I'm just glad that someone else is coordinating these
rally's instead of me! I couldn't handle the frustration..

So as long as people are organizing these rally's, I'll do my part as best as I can and get creative with my schedule to attend at least one a year.
And normally it works out.

But once again, what works for one does not work for all.......
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi.
Houston, Texas

 

[paul zerkel]

OK, I have been reluctant to offer an opinion but here goes...

First I have only made it two conventions 2007 Amana IA, and DuQuoin IL (in 2012). I do have one of those J.O.B.S. I believe the 2007 convention was
M-F. I also believe I had mentioned to some that I felt a schedule like Fri-Thurs would be better for us working stiffs. In hindsight I kind of have a
change of opinion.

It seemed to me that when the schedule was M-F, that things were either just getting started on Monday or winding down by Friday. In 2007, I believe I
only had two weeks of vacation time (which makes it a precious commodity). I do think that for those semi-local who probably can only sacrifice 2 or 3
vacation days that there is more happening on Sat and Sun at the Fri-Thursday conventions than there is at the M-F conventions. But if a person does
have a whole week of vacation to use, then the M-F (with the weekends being travel time is probably better.

I currently have 4 weeks of vacation time (but will never have more so long as I keep my current job). So there are a few more options now, but
depending on what other events are planned throughout the year, four weeks still is not very much compared to those who are retired.

I guess both have advantages. Speaking as a person who still has a J.O.B. If the convention is close (and I am limited in vacation days available),
then I prefer the Fri-Thur format. BUT if I do have a whole week of vacation time to spare, and the convention is a little farther, then the M-F
format is better.

I am not sure either format is better than the other; but I do think with the M-F you will get more people with more vacation time to spare (which
probably means older working people who have earned more vacation days) but will stay for the whole week. With Fri-Thur you are more likely to get
younger working people (who do not have as much vacation time to spare), but who will probably only stay for a few days either side of the weekend.
--
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)

 

[Carl Stouffer]

> I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday or Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to
> come to the rally.
> Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have to plan around limited time off and some distance.
>
> For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435 miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and
> wouldn't return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order to attend the whole rally.
> Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.
>
> If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend on either side for actually getting there and back, and
> would end up only needing 5 vacation days.
>
> So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday through Friday be better for working folks?
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'

Down here in Arizona, the Saguaro Jetset normally has three day rallies (Thursday evening through Sunday morning). This works well for us working
people even though we sometimes have to scramble to get the Friday off and sometimes arrive late on Thursday evening.

I agree that for a five day rally, especially one that requires a lot of driving to get to, a Monday through Friday schedule would work best, leaving
the adjacent weekends for travel. That only works if the participants are able to take a week off to attend.

--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

 

[kimweeks]

Question....do you have any fear about traveling on Sunday if you were to
break down?

Kimberlea Weeks
GMCMI VP Administration and Convention Manager
612.501.4600 | f.866.519.0047 |
www.gmcmi.com

2018 GMCMI Spring Convention
Friday, April 6 to Thursday, April 12, 2018
Tucson Lazydays KOA, Tucson, AZ

> > I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday
> or Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to
> > come to the rally.
> > Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have
> to plan around limited time off and some distance.
> >
> > For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435
> miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and
> > wouldn't return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order
> to attend the whole rally.
> > Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.
> >
> > If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend
> on either side for actually getting there and back, and
> > would end up only needing 5 vacation days.
> >
> > So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday
> through Friday be better for working folks?
> >
> > Karen
> > 1975 26'
>
>
> Down here in Arizona, the Saguaro Jetset normally has three day rallies
> (Thursday evening through Sunday morning). This works well for us working
> people even though we sometimes have to scramble to get the Friday off and
> sometimes arrive late on Thursday evening.
>
> I agree that for a five day rally, especially one that requires a lot of
> driving to get to, a Monday through Friday schedule would work best, leaving
> the adjacent weekends for travel. That only works if the participants are
> able to take a week off to attend.
>
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Jim Hupy]

I like Sunday travel because of fewer trucks, but, it is usually
compensated for by the 4 wheel drive, crew cab, lift kitted, pick ups
towing a load of 4 runners, or pleasure boats or toy haulers at 75 plus in
the far left lane, swerving in and out of weekend travelers. Usually
truckers drive a constant speed, stay in one lane, and maintain proper
following distances. I will take that any day over the 4 x 4's.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or

> Question....do you have any fear about traveling on Sunday if you were to
> break down?
>
> Kimberlea Weeks
> GMCMI VP Administration and Convention Manager
> 612.501.4600 | f.866.519.0047 |
> www.gmcmi.com
>
> 2018 GMCMI Spring Convention
> Friday, April 6 to Thursday, April 12, 2018
> Tucson Lazydays KOA, Tucson, AZ
>

>

> > > I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday
> > or Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to
> > > come to the rally.
> > > Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have
> > to plan around limited time off and some distance.
> > >
> > > For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435
> > miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and
> > > wouldn't return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order
> > to attend the whole rally.
> > > Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.
> > >
> > > If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend
> > on either side for actually getting there and back, and
> > > would end up only needing 5 vacation days.
> > >
> > > So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday
> > through Friday be better for working folks?
> > >
> > > Karen
> > > 1975 26'
> >
> >
> > Down here in Arizona, the Saguaro Jetset normally has three day rallies
> > (Thursday evening through Sunday morning). This works well for us
> working
> > people even though we sometimes have to scramble to get the Friday off
> and
> > sometimes arrive late on Thursday evening.
> >
> > I agree that for a five day rally, especially one that requires a lot of
> > driving to get to, a Monday through Friday schedule would work best,
> leaving
> > the adjacent weekends for travel. That only works if the participants
> are
> > able to take a week off to attend.
> >
> > --
> > Carl Stouffer
> > '75 ex Palm Beach
> > Tucson, AZ.
> > Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> > Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> > Eagles,
> > Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[jim galbavy]

I'm not comfort driving the coach in Sunday traffic here in Florida or being out of
state and repair shops closed. Here in Florida beach traffic is a bear with crowds
of people racing to get home. I actually like the truck traffic. I run with them.
I know most don't trust RVers who shouldn't be driving rigs that are too big for them
to handle. .... but I've found that after about 50 miles of staying close but not too
close and using signals and good judgement. they don't really mind. My speeds are down
but I get gooder mpg and time is about the same.

Everyone is different and has different needs and wants.

My next International Rally, I may just come early to help unload and stay late to load
and pack up.

jim Galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl

 

[robert mueller]

Jim,

In New South Wales an automobile driving license allows one to drive a vehicle up to 4.5 tons in weight. If you want to drive
anything larger you need a Light Truck License.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jim Galbavy
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 6:22 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rallies: what days of the week are best for people with J.O.B.s?

I'm not comfort driving the coach in Sunday traffic here in Florida or being out of
state and repair shops closed. Here in Florida beach traffic is a bear with crowds
of people racing to get home. I actually like the truck traffic. I run with them.
I know most don't trust RVers who shouldn't be driving rigs that are too big for them
to handle. .... but I've found that after about 50 miles of staying close but not too
close and using signals and good judgement. they don't really mind. My speeds are down
but I get gooder mpg and time is about the same.

Everyone is different and has different needs and wants.

My next International Rally, I may just come early to help unload and stay late to load
and pack up.

jim Galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl

 

[Rdenney]

Maybe in Oregon, but driving up and down I-81 or I-95 will not fill one
with love for truckers. Your description of the 4x4 drivers fits truckers
on this coast perfectly. The double-bottom Fedex trucks seem to be the
worst.

Truck traffic is too heavy to fit on one lane—that’s the problem. So, they
are constantly changing lanes, and squeezing out cars so they can climb a
hill 5mph faster than a truck at crawl speed.

As for me, I can only attend rallies I can reach in one day, but over a
weekend or between weekends is a bit less of a concern. Generally, I would
prefer not to spill deeply into two weeks, so that I can plan work travel
more easily. But that hasn’t kept me from attending a rally. Distance has.

Rick “wishing 320 miles of I-81 in Virginia wasn’t between me and just
about everywhere” Denney

> I like Sunday travel because of fewer trucks, but, it is usually
> compensated for by the 4 wheel drive, crew cab, lift kitted, pick ups
> towing a load of 4 runners, or pleasure boats or toy haulers at 75 plus in
> the far left lane, swerving in and out of weekend travelers. Usually
> truckers drive a constant speed, stay in one lane, and maintain proper
> following distances. I will take that any day over the 4 x 4's.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or

--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com

 

[johnny]

I-77, I 86, and I 40 are Your Friends, depending your destination. I use I 85 heavily.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased

 

[Irish Rogue]

Kim W:
Not us- have our phone and Blacklist
and ready to roll any day of the week!
Blind Faith is wonderful (and works most of the time)!!!
Mike and Billie
The Corvair a holic and his Shady Lady
Peoria, IL. and Kingsland, Tx

Sent from my iPhone

>

>> I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday or Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to
>> come to the rally.
>> Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have to plan around limited time off and some distance.
>>
>> For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435 miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and
>> wouldn't return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order to attend the whole rally.
>> Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.
>>
>> If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend on either side for actually getting there and back, and
>> would end up only needing 5 vacation days.
>>
>> So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday through Friday be better for working folks?
>>
>> Karen
>> 1975 26'
>
>
> Down here in Arizona, the Saguaro Jetset normally has three day rallies (Thursday evening through Sunday morning). This works well for us working
> people even though we sometimes have to scramble to get the Friday off and sometimes arrive late on Thursday evening.
>
> I agree that for a five day rally, especially one that requires a lot of driving to get to, a Monday through Friday schedule would work best, leaving
> the adjacent weekends for travel. That only works if the participants are able to take a week off to attend.
>
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[kab7]

By my back-of-the-envelope calculations, assuming 2 days of travel each way and a M-F work schedule,
3-night rallies require fewer vacation days (4) if held on weekends than during the week (5).

For 4-night rallies, it doesn't matter when you have it because it will always require 5 days of vacation time.

5-night rallies are where the disparity kicks in. There, as mentioned, a M-F night rally requires 5 days vacation time,
but encompassing a weekend takes 7 days of vacation time.

A spreadsheet might be helpful to calculate it with varying travel days and rally lengths, but at least this gives an idea.
It would be nice to know the average (or mean) number of travel days people tend to need to get to a rally.
Clearly this topic is irrelevant for retired or unemployed folks or ones with flexible schedules, but it'd be nice to make it easier for everyone
else.

Karen
1975 26'

 

[Jim Hupy]

In my case, Karen, We leave Salem, Oregon on day 1, Redding, California
overnight. Day 2, to Bakersfield, California. Overnight. Leave Bakersfield,
California and beat it to Tucson, Arizona for the combined GMCMI/GMCWS
rally. Return trip, back through Arches, Canyonlands, Loss Vegas, Salt
Lake City, then ???? back to Oregon. So, it is hard for us to figure
exactly. I've driven south that way before, and those overnights will leave
us rested well. Which is the whole point of using the GMC. The trip is at
least as much fun as the destination. If we were in a hurry, we would fly
down and rent a car when we got there. If we had to worry about burning
vacation days, that would influence daily distances a whole bunch.
Planners of rallies go through lots of mental gymnastics trying to
schedule events around the numbers of attendees who still work and need to
schedule vacation days vs retired members who are in no hurry. They kind of
make decisions knowing that some portion of the group are going to come out
on the short end of the schedules. It is not easy, but the point is to try
and be flexible.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> By my back-of-the-envelope calculations, assuming 2 days of travel each
> way and a M-F work schedule,
> 3-night rallies require fewer vacation days (4) if held on weekends than
> during the week (5).
>
> For 4-night rallies, it doesn't matter when you have it because it will
> always require 5 days of vacation time.
>
> 5-night rallies are where the disparity kicks in. There, as mentioned, a
> M-F night rally requires 5 days vacation time,
> but encompassing a weekend takes 7 days of vacation time.
>
> A spreadsheet might be helpful to calculate it with varying travel days
> and rally lengths, but at least this gives an idea.
> It would be nice to know the average (or mean) number of travel days
> people tend to need to get to a rally.
> Clearly this topic is irrelevant for retired or unemployed folks or ones
> with flexible schedules, but it'd be nice to make it easier for everyone
> else.
>
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[kab7]

> Planners of rallies go through lots of mental gymnastics trying to
> schedule events around the numbers of attendees who still work and need to
> schedule vacation days vs retired members who are in no hurry. They kind of
> make decisions knowing that some portion of the group are going to come out
> on the short end of the schedules. It is not easy, but the point is to try
> and be flexible.

Scheduling rallies with the most constrained folks in mind (ie, working people) does not affect those without such constraints.
To retirees, every day is Saturday, so it's *always* working people who come out on the short end of the schedules.
--
Karen
1975 26'
San Jose, CA

 

[Jim Hupy]

Karen, it is really hard to assemble a rally that has new and interesting
attractions. Many of the technical presenters still work, some of them more
than 50 to 60 hours a week. Several are Vendors as well. Having the rallies
close to the majority of attendees would seem to make good sense, but when
you locate in the eastern part of the US, the hue and cry goes up from the
west. Same thing happens when you locate one in the west.
It is not a simple job, but your point is well taken about the working
folks being on the short end of the stick. Other than regional rallies and
paid travel for presenters and vendors, I sure don't have all the answers.
Jim Hupy

> > Planners of rallies go through lots of mental gymnastics trying to
> > schedule events around the numbers of attendees who still work and need
> to
> > schedule vacation days vs retired members who are in no hurry. They kind
> of
> > make decisions knowing that some portion of the group are going to come
> out
> > on the short end of the schedules. It is not easy, but the point is to
> try
> > and be flexible.
>
>
> Scheduling rallies with the most constrained folks in mind (ie, working
> people) does not affect those without such constraints.
> To retirees, every day is Saturday, so it's *always* working people who
> come out on the short end of the schedules.
> --
> Karen
> 1975 26'
> San Jose, CA
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

Karen. Great that you brought this up. As the board can't make thing better for all without input. Not on the board. Just an active member. We bought our first GMC in 2003. Try to go to both rallies each year ever since. In 2016 GMCMI put on a summer rally in hopes that the members with children could attend rallies. Kim even did that rally for free for GMCMI. I attended that rally as a test run with our replacement GMC. Some members with children showed up. But it was mostly members that always show up anyway. Kim and the board really try hard to look for, and try ideas from members. Bob Dunahugh

 

[Matt Colie]

As some may recall, I ran a survey for Eastern States at one time. What that immediately confirmed was that people are not interested to drive more
than a day to a two day (weekend) rally. Now, we would take the 2000 mile 5 day run to Tucson, but as there is the expected arrival of a
granddaughter about then and someone really wants to be in town when that happens. That even over rules the fact that we might be running a break-in
about then. This is a good try on Kim's part.

There is another gotcha that we have learned all about when trying to set up rallies. Cost is a big issue. Kim is trying to keep costs down and that
is why some of us got to share a space at Elkhart and Kim has the problem of size too. Not a lot of places can manage a 200 coach event.

Ever been to a 500+ event like an FMCA thing? It is a zoo and they are never cheap.

I still think the there is a future for virtual local tech sessions. We are now doing video effectively enough to do a webinar of so many things. If
someone does not chose to join from their home, they could be part of a semi-local gathering. While the cost of doing this was never in Eastern
States' budget, the cost has come down so much that it may now be a real possibility. This could allow audience interaction that is what makes the
tech at the conventions so interesting.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[Keith V]

It's really had as a wage slave to make it to any rally more than a days drive away.

Limited vacation mostly

And I'm totally fine with sharing a space

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Matt Colie
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2018 8:07:04 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rallies: what days of the week are best for people with J.O.B.s?

As some may recall, I ran a survey for Eastern States at one time. What that immediately confirmed was that people are not interested to drive more
than a day to a two day (weekend) rally. Now, we would take the 2000 mile 5 day run to Tucson, but as there is the expected arrival of a
granddaughter about then and someone really wants to be in town when that happens. That even over rules the fact that we might be running a break-in
about then. This is a good try on Kim's part.

There is another gotcha that we have learned all about when trying to set up rallies. Cost is a big issue. Kim is trying to keep costs down and that
is why some of us got to share a space at Elkhart and Kim has the problem of size too. Not a lot of places can manage a 200 coach event.

Ever been to a 500+ event like an FMCA thing? It is a zoo and they are never cheap.

I still think the there is a future for virtual local tech sessions. We are now doing video effectively enough to do a webinar of so many things. If
someone does not chose to join from their home, they could be part of a semi-local gathering. While the cost of doing this was never in Eastern
States' budget, the cost has come down so much that it may now be a real possibility. This could allow audience interaction that is what makes the
tech at the conventions so interesting.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[Tom Pryor]

FWIW, being a working stiff in the Detroit Automotive sector my whole
working career, married to a teacher, slogging thru the Lake Erie waters
on a sail boat, not a power boat I have a little bit different
perspective. Week ends were my families "islands of time" We managed them
to fit our needs and resources.

Work (J.O.B.s) are the reasons we toil to gain access to our leisure
activities. Manage your work to support them. I think it is unreasonable
to expect an aging GMC population like ours must rearrange in a major way
the scheduling demands that our officers must cope with when trying to find
affordable and timely venues. That said, as a retired old fart, traveling
on weekends has become a life threatening event, using weekdays/workdays as
travel days suit me just fine. That's my story and I will stick with it!
--
Regards,

Tom Pryor
4188 Limerick Dr
Lake Wales, Fl 33859
Cell 248 470 9186

Living on a waterfront is not a matter of life or death. Its more
important than that.