Tim at the risk of hijacking this good thread
I have done the Math many different ways to decide on some distant travel venue/event
Cross country car is mostly (not always) more expensive
IN fact a simple 5 hour trip for me ( Dallas, Houston, or Lubbock) with a good MPG car, one night in a motel, would be cheaper to fly to ( and a lot quicker) IF I had a --out there --car ride-- to schlep me around
I am a big combat and stunt fan but do not have, or ever will have, the skills to compete---- much of my fun and travel is as an observer/helper
I would actually volunteer to be a judge but the costs of getting to most semi local events make that not very smart on my part
MY several trips to My roots--- Greater Seattle area for the Bladder Grabber... once driving and twice flying....were each in their own right very expensive... BUT I know for certain the BG #40 next year, I will fly, motel, and rent car....
IMO 3 days on the road ....especially that route from Cen Texas, is BORING AND LONG
I guess one could note, I do not compete so there is no cost of equipment expenses....the real topic of this thread....
SO to get back on track
Except the WC over seas guys....I tend to think domestic USA Model transport (Bodak, NATs Muncie, Joe Nall, King Orange, VSC, GSCB, PAC events, California events) is actually relatively inexpensive for ANY full sized model airplane
I mean --for a fair price Eric Rule, Mike Griffin , Randy Smith, John Brodak, and Dane martin can get to me a LARGE ARF or FULL BUILT model for each under $40~$50 .....
MY wife and I ship USPS large packages all the time and the costs are NOT unreasonable....and a few times the size was too large and UPS or FEDX priced way out of reason---- so the Grey Hound (BUS) Express cargo option was explored...yes a PITA for the sender and receiver... BUT is is a viable lower cost option
I recently inherited a bunch of hand made furniture from a family member ----over the phone, I was able to get a May Flower type Household Mover to pickup the cargo, properly prevent damage, and transport to a Texas close by warehouse for a very reasonable fee and estimated time line
Many years ago I learned of the Mayflower (TYPE) space Available shipping when I needed to get a motor cycle from Virginia to Texas
I think what I a saying is---- for some west coast guy who wants to attend Brodak 2018 with a LOT of planes... can be done and with proper planning not that intimidating
BUT to fly the WC in 2020 in east Soblvania...get yer collective stuff together cuz yer battery packs are liable to NOT make it