Phoenix Flightfest!

[Passenger Mark]

Howdy,

We are planning a Phoenix Flightfest (Say THAT five times fast!)

What is a Flightfest? It is a informal get-together for folks with Fear of Flying, and guests and friends.

When is it? Saturday, February 5, 2005

Who is invited? ANYONE that wants or seeks help for the Fear of Flying. ANYONE who is a guest or friend. ANYONE that wants to help others with the Fear of Flying.

Why do a Flightfest? This board is great, websites are great, but getting to meet other folks associated with this board is the best! It gives you the chance to meet and chat with other people. Get new ideas, hear what works and doesn't, and most of all get to put a face with a name.

What happens? We get together at a restaurant, have dinner, and spend time talking, listening, and sharing.

How much does it cost? Your transportation, hotel stay, and dinner. As I said, it is informal... no registration fees, no sign-up fees, just show up. YOU WILL NOT BE PRESSURED TO BUY ANYTHING! Heck, we do not sell anything here, except Ray's book, and I am sure if you want one, that can be arranged. But YOU WILL NOT BE PRESENTED with any proposal, plan, or scheme to buy anything other than your dinner.

What will you get out of it? I have been to two of these Fests. One in San Diego, the other in Manchester UK. At both I came away with a stronger sense for conquering my Fear of Flying. I have met old friends, and gained new friends.

Do I HAVE to fly to go? No, come by car, train, or walk, but it does give you a good excuse to get on a plane!


Where do I get more information? You can go to this thread...

p197.ezboard.com/ffearofflying16582frm2.showMessageRange?topicID=64 6.topic&start=1&stop=20 (http://p197.ezboard.com/ffearofflying16582frm2.showMessageRange?topicID=64 6.topic&start=1&stop=20)

There you will find the general theme, and where we are having dinner. Jeff has posted a very useful link for directions, and hotel information.

Or you are welcome to email me at: mark@takingflight.us (http://mark@takingflight.us)

How do I sign up, and when? Within the next two weeks we have to let the restaurant know how many to expect. To sign up, post a message on the thread above, or on this thread, or email me. If you are going to fly, I suggest posting your flight info in the thread. There may be others willing to fly with you!

Debbie is organizing the event, and I really appreciate it. Since starting this board, I have wanted to see one of these crank up. So big THANKS to Debbie!

You have nothing to loose, and everything to gain!

See ya there!

Mark

[Debbielevis2]

FYi

If you want to get some good photos/menu/the "flavor" of Rustler's Rooste ---

Their website is

www.rustlersrooste.com

Great pics in there. The menu will make you drool. Interesting stories on there, also.

Hey, just trying to be helpful while nagging!

Debbie

[Jeff California]

That looks delicious!!! Now I am starving!

[Passenger Mark]

Hey!!! They have a slide!

GET OUT OF MY WAY KIDDIES!

http://www.rustlersrooste.com/photogallery/Photo-Gallery-images/PhotoGallery/images/slide2.jpg

[jesgooch]

Hey,

Where is everyone staying?
I just might show up....

Jessica

[Passenger Mark]

Hey Jess,

That would be great if you showed up! I think that would be good for the group, and good for you!

I have not gotten far enough to figure out where I am staying, but will post it when I have it figured out! It will be somewhere close to the restaurant.

Hope you come!

Mark

[jesgooch]

Close enough so I can drink and stumble home after a couple or ten beers?

Just kidding, I hate flying with a hangover...but I am pretty funny after a couple of beers...if I do say so myself.

And I just bought a new carry-on, perfect for short trips.

Tickets aren't too to bad, plus I could use my FF miles if I had to.

[Debbielevis2]

Jess

That was a very welcome post. I think it'd be great for you to come. Just what you need is to get away for a few days. You'd be with people who are very anxious to meet you -- people you've known for years and never met!

Mark and Jeff are, more than likely, staying at the same place, so I'd suggest hooking up with them. And between ALL of us, someone will get you back to where you belong, no matter your condition! Worse case scenario, I'll take you home with me (we have a 2nd home out there now, which is where I'll be with a few family friends).

Fares are great right now, for sure. And, it's a helluva lot warmer there, too!

Besides, I think lots of us would like to do this to you :grouphug

C'mon, Jess --- Come play!

Debbie

[Debbielevis2]

Mark

Now that we've got Jess just about convinced, maybe you could take up some kind of list of "Who's Coming", so people can say, "OhMyGod -- he/she's going??? Now I HAVE to. I've been dying to meet ______!!!"

So, from my end, I've got:

Me
Dawn (Yep - THAT Dawn!!! Flying in again!)
Nicholas (my son)
Bob and Kathy (friends who are flying in with me and can't wait to see what a whole group of FFs look like!)
Waiting On Ray's Schedule for Ray
Leslie
Bruce (Leslie's Bruce -- you KNOW him -- you've heard his name mentioned over and over)

Mark
Jeff - I'm gonna owe him a beer -- you, too, Mark
Andrea
Jess (c'mon, Jess!)

Lookin' good!

I'd like to be able to call Rustler's Roose around the 28th or so. I'm also thinking we could meet about an hour before dinner to hang around the bar and get acquainted before dinner. Whatcha think of that??

[jesgooch]

Deb,

I think it is a little early to be thinking about "hooking up" doncha think???
<img border=0 src="http://www.takingflight.us/smilies/sunshine.gif" />
(sorry could not resist)

Ok Boys, let me know where you are staying.

And then we can all do this....

<img border=0 src="http://www.takingflight.us/smilies/drunken.gif" />

(that would be me on the left)

I really think I might come. I would fly in sat morning and leave on sunday morning, nothing like a quick turnaround, but it would be an adventure. I have dog and cat sitters galore so I am all set there.

Jess

[Passenger Mark]

Coming in on SWA flight 827 arriving Phoenix at 12:50 PM (Saturday)

Staying at the Ramada Limited

aolsvc.yp.aol.com/main.adp?_dircid=101890564&_diraction=detail&_dircity=Phoenix&_dirstate=AZ&_dirlat=334483&_dirlong=%2d1120733&_dirzip=&_dby=&_dircat=&_dirnamesearch=&_diraddress=&_dirdma=49&_dirpid=354 (http://aolsvc.yp.aol.com/main.adp?_dircid=101890564&_diraction=detail&_dircity=Phoenix&_dirstate=AZ&_dirlat=334483&_dirlong=%2d1120733&_dirzip=&_dby=&_dircat=&_dirnamesearch=&_diraddress=&_dirdma=49&_dirpid=354)

They had the best rate.

Leaving on SWA # 394 at 5:35 PM (Sunday)

This is going to be fun!!!

[Jeff California]

Jes, be there!!!! We will have such a great time. If you drink too much, i will stumble with you.. hahaha

I will be on the plane with mark or maybe there the day before..

I will call you and reserve my ticket tomorrow or tuesday Mark. I got your cell #.

Jeff

[Passenger Mark]

Friday is fine with me... let me know.

[Passenger Mark]

Debbie:

The list you have is the one I have.

And meeting an hour ahead of time will be great, no problem!

Mark

[Jeff California]

Im all set and now im nervous!!!!!:jump
This will be my fourth flight in past 10 years..



Itinerary:
Saturday, February 05 - ONTARIO CA(ONT) to PHOENIX AZ(PHX)
Flight 827 M
Depart ONTARIO CA(ONT) at 10:45AM and
Arrive in PHOENIX AZ(PHX) at 12:50PM

Sunday, February 06 - PHOENIX AZ(PHX) to ONTARIO CA(ONT)
Flight 394 M
Depart PHOENIX AZ(PHX) at 05:35PM and
Arrive in ONTARIO CA(ONT) at 05:45PM

[Passenger Mark]

Jeff,

Cool stuff dude!

Don't be nervous! I will bring "Three" and we can watch it on the DVD player! Or some pornos... Your choice! (Just kidding folks) don't throw nothing at me :duck

[Debbielevis2]

NOW I'm excited!

Jeff - I've got a beer with your name on it! Andrea's coming, too, right?

Mark - can't wait to meet you!

Just picture us - the Cool People - sitting on the outside deck with a brewsky, toasting each other for flying and not smoking JEFF!!!:woohoo

So, where are the rest of the slackers???!!! :deadhorse

Debbie

[Jeff California]

hooooray for beer on patios in 75 degree weather!!!

Mark, how do you plan on getting to the hotel, etc?

Yes Deb, Andrea is coming as well. She owns the knee I bruise during takeoff and turbulence!

:bigplane

[Jeff California]

0]

[Passenger Mark]

Via the ole Shuttle Van... or I will just rent a car. Have not gotten that far yet!

[Jeff California]

Ramada doesnt have a shuttle.

I wish I could stay at the hotel the roost is located on, but I would have to sell my house.

[StPeteMark]

From other post....

Hey Deb,

Add two more...FF-me and my wife Susan.
Arriving Sat. morning before noon;
staying at Holiday Inn Express Airport
UNIVERSITY DR. & I-10
1-602-4539900

Committed again!!! :eek:

StPeteMark
:airplane:

[Jeff California]

I am booked at innsuites.

[StPeteMark]

:D

Total is now up to 14!!!

And we get to meet Susan!!

:pompoms:


She's given me great support since I gave up the thought, "I will never fly again", which had me grounded for 15 years prior to 2003. :hug:

At the same time, she probably thinks I nuts :loco: wanting to spend 10+ hours round-trip in an airplane from Tampa to Phoenix for a one-night stay (wish we could stay longer, but can't). Have I've gone off the deep end the other way...a FF flying junkie? :lol:

After dealing with anxiety and panic disorder for over 25 years, I have learned to try to push myself to keep enjoying those things that I've missed out on while these disorders have been controlling me. I consider Phoenix as a great repetition-therapy opportunity for a FF, with the additional benefit of meeting some great people on this board for the first time! :dance:

See you soon!!! :wave:

StPeteMark
:airplane:

[LeslieDEN]

Have I've gone off the deep end the other way...a FF flying junkie?
Yes. Welcome to the club.

One of us ... one of us ...

Leslie

[StPeteMark]

Ready?? ... Two weeks from Saturday, Kids. Let's get your tushies in gear, here! ... Debbie

YES, READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWO WEEKS from now, at this time, we'll be driving to the airport!!!! :beep:
and then fly'n :medplane: to Phoenix!!!!

:woohoo: :spot: :woohoo:

CAN'T WAIT!!!! :hyped:

StPeteMark
:airplane:

[jesgooch]

Hey Deb,

Thanks for organizing the Fest.
I am going to have to bow out of this one for a few reasons, but the best reason is I am heading to Jay Peak in VT for the weekend with a friend of mine!

Woohoo.

Have fun.

[Passenger Mark]

Good Job Deb!

Thanks for putting all this together.

The California Gang should be landing around 12:30 PM local aboard either a barney blue, or mustard brown aircraft!!!

[StPeteMark]

Okay, kids -- ...How 'bout if we plan to meet between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m. for drinks, ... Anyone with questions, I'll fake an answer for you if I don't have a real one! ... Debbie

1. C-Jeff had said he be would be at the bar at 4:00, so shall we make him the official TF greeter :cheers: :wave: :cheers: ? (I owe him a beer if he's still smoke free...hope so!!!)

2. Since you're the Head Rustler, how about if we PM you our cell phone numbers and last names, and you PM yours to each of us, to help in communication if needed?

Arriving late Saturday morning via America West (they had the only round-trip non-stop from Tampa) and staying at Holiday Inn Express Airport.

Our first time in Phoenix...see you soon!

And thanks again Debbie for organizing with RR! :tiphat:

StPeteMark (and Susan)
:airplane:

[LeslieDEN]

Let me get this straight ... we're going to drink for two hours and then have dinner?

[LeslieDEN]

Hee hee. Have a great flight, Deb. See ya Saturday!

[StPeteMark]

...Off to bed. Early flight tomorrow --- See you Saturday!Debbie

DITTO!!!! ...except our early flight is Saturday, ET.

LET'S SHOW SOME EXCITEMENT NOW...TIME TO PARTY!!!!! :cheers:

CAN'T WAIT TO "TAKE FLIGHT"!!!!

See you soon...Conga Line down the slide :dance:

[Jeff California]

Hoooray!!

Yes, week 3. Had massive cravings last night for some reason.. Still smoke-free though!

As far as getting to RR by 4pm, I probably will. maybe closer to 4:45.. Gotta see what Marks doing first.. Since he is the creator of TF, he needs to be the greeter.. So I will probably wait for him:thumbsup: :cheers: Plus I think he has met some of you and I've only met the absent Kelley!!

I like the idea about exchanging numbers with deb.. just in case.

I will be dropping my kids off Friday, staying in a hotel in Ontario Friday night, meeting Mark at his work Sat and off we go! My first time flying Southwest! Flying back with Mark Sunday evening and probably gonna stay in a hotel sun night... Its only a few hours home, but my wife has Monday off and needs all the time away she can get... She left at 7am and still isnt home.. 8pm here!!!

I can taste the prime rib at RR already!

The hotel Mark and I are in is located in th eparking lot of ariz. mills mall.. So I will be checking that out Sunday morn.

Mark, I take it you still have my cell #? I dont have yours anymore... PM it to me. I am going to send debbie my cell # now. *******************Update- I found your cell # Mark. And got Debs as well..

Mark, I will call you Friday. We will be in ontario Friday if you want to join us for dinner.
Cheers!!

Jeff

[Passenger Mark]

All ready to go here as well!

Jeff... I am going to email you some directions on how to get to the office.

This is our first official TF Flightfest... T.F.F.F. and I am looking foward to it.

By the way... the next one is going to be in San Francisco... On April 2nd! So get your flying shoes ready for that one!!

[LeslieDEN]

Just wanted to wish everybody who's flying to Phoenix tomorrow a great trip!

Might want to bring a sweater, it's been chilly and windy this week -- no matter what Debbie said! She doesn't know, she's from frosty Beantown, not CA and FL like y'all. She'll be running around in a tank top while the rest of us are dressed three layers deep.

Again, happy flying! See ya tomorrow evening! :wave:

Leslie