Question:
You all know me as the guy who can't stop himself from making wisecracksall over the groups mentioned in the header of this post. I occasionallyhelp people on their way or even get started and sometimes evenshamelessly plug their services or business. I hardly ever askedanything in return.

Well, the times they are a'changing, to quote my favoritesinger/songwriter. Doc needs help, and needs it bad so Doc is going tocall in some IOU-s.

What is going on:

The lady and I have to attend a certain thing in Las Vegas and since Ican't possibly afford two flights to the States within one year, wedecided to combine it with the trip to the Harmonica Summit inMinneapolis.

The event in Vegas takes place on June 17th. We need to be awake andalert for that, so we need to arrive in Vegas no later than June 15 or16, somewhere in the afternoon local time, in order to get some sleepand try to shed some jetlag.

From June 18 until June 21 we have all the time in the world to get toMinneapolis to attend the Summit. In order to get settled in our hoteland have some rest before the opening jam at 9PM on the 21st, I want toarrive no later than 6PM local Minnie time. Traveling east from Vegasmay even gain us an hour (I'm not entirely sure, but it doesn't reallymatter).

It is very important that I am back in Amsterdam on Saturday June 24somewhere in the afternoon, since that evening I have the first gig of aband I personally set up. We have an audience of at least 400 head thatevening and I don't think it would serve my credibility with thataudience if I am not present there. So I will probably have to leaveMinneapolis on the evening of June 23 local time.

Naturally I went to a local travel agency and told them of our plans. Noproblem: we take a multiple-stop flight. Amsterdam - Las Vegas -Minneapolis - Amsterdam. Total cost: US $12,500.00! Fasten yourseatbelts please! At the current exchange rate that is a full year'ssalary (including benifits) for my wife! You can imagine I told thetravel agent where he could put those tickets, but I am a bit at a loss.My sister traveled from Amsterdam to New Zealand (exactly 180 degreesaround the globe both horizontal and vertical!) for less than $2,500,00with a family of four.

Okay. Now the question:The only things I can find out from here in Hans Brinker Country isabout main, big airliners with huge fares. Yet I know there are hundredsof local airliners in the States that have fares amounting to only afraction of those by the big boys, due to smaller overhead and fiercecompetition. The only thing is: I don't know and I have no way offinding out.

I want to cut travel costs. I imagine flying to any city that is veryeasy to reach from here, both in flight sense as in price. New York is agood example. Airlines compete eachother to death with Amsterdam - NewYork return tickets for next to nothing. On the other hand: for LasVegas it may be better to start from Los Angeles. From either east orwest coast we then could take a local flight to Vegas. I don't care howI travel, even the local crop duster's plane will do as long as it cancarry two passengers and some luggage.

Another option (the lady is scared less about flying) is to take theGreyhound Bus (sounds very bluesy) or an eastbound train (sounds not asbluesy as southbound, but it'll do) like the AmTrak or something. Wecould fly straight into Vegas and rent a car to drive to Minneapolis(can that be done in three days without wearing ourselves out completelyby driving 24 hours a day?). We could then even take a part of thefamous Route 66, spending the nights in those sleazy motels you alwayssee in gangster movies. Nope, the Bates motel is out of the question!

I know a lot of members of these groups are US based, and so scatteredover the entire country that there must be some of you that are localsin the cities I mentioned.

I am looking for ideas, suggestions, prices, airline names, airports,whatever. I myself have never been in the country of the brave and thefree, so I don't know diddly about anything. I am asking for the help ofyou locals to guide me on my way, maybe even suggest good stoppingplaces if renting a car is the best option. It sure is the nicestoption, giving us a chance to view some of the country underway, havingall the freedom in the world to stop and stare if we see somethingparticularly nice, or just pull over at a gas station to take a leak.

So please get creative guys and guysettes. Doc is coming to your neck ofthe woods and doesn't want getting eaten alive or losing the way. Forall you curious souls in the groups I will reveal a little secret: thecertain thing we have to attend in Vegas is....

our marriage.

Mail me offlist with any suggestion possible. I will personally reply toall and if you are interested I can publish the solution we finallychose in these groups. Thanx in advance!

Answer: Even if I'm working into an famous airline, I can't do anything for you andI sincerly regret.Congratulations to Mrs Paul and to youHappy wedding and happy summit and happy gig.You will certainly remember June 2000 for years.

Just take into consideration delays which can occurs to flights. I spendingmy all my working days to list them for just a fleet in my airline. Youcan't imagine the amout of work and the lot of chance it's necessary to havea departure and an arrival at time.This is a large part of the cost of the ticket. SSSS = ship sale smallservice.Cross your ingers and go