Never been too a con, somewhat nervouse
 "A fur with no form, A fur with no true name." Location: Southern England
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Through the advice of some fellow furs, and largly influenced by 2 the ranting gryphons work, I've decided I'm going to do my best too make AC 2009 my first ever con, and in fact, my first ever venture outside the UK. I'm somewhat worried though about traveling to oand from the con, such as the airports, arranging travel in the USA and all that fun stuff.. but also on alot of the aspects of what a con truely is. I've read through some of the other forum topics, and AC information itself (Such as registration, tipping advice and travel plans) But I am still deathly nervouse about making the trip itself. I've never flown, never traveled long distance, and due too some phobias revolving around people, my social and traveling skills arent what they could be, leaving me somewhat clueless on what I should do in terms of Travel arrangements Are there any other UK furs, or furs in general, who could help me arrange and understand the best way of getting too, enjoying, and returning from AC, without accidentally ending up in Newyork, Michigan, or heaven forbid a TSA waiting room ^^; PS: Will also be turning 21 before the con, so I owe Kage and 2 booze |
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*waves across the pond* Hi Neon!!!
Glad to hear you want to join the fun! But why come aaaaaall the way over to Pittsburgh, to a furry con with waaaaaay too many people, when you can lose your con-virginity on a much smaller and closer venue like Confuzzled?
It's held in Manchester, and the last one had 136 attendees (including the indescribably ky00t Vin Weasel!). Next one is set for late May, 2009.
If you want to get a real sense of what it's like, head on over to BigBlueFox's video site, and download all 124 minutes of CF2008 goodness! (Watch for the part where Vin boogies down to M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This"!)
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iSKUNK!
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
There are personal reasons for not attending the more UK based cons. But also, since I was thirteen, it has been my dream to visit, and one day move too the USA.
Turning 21, the universal legal age, when is a better time complease part of my dream? =3 plus, there are many, many people I wish too finally meet whom are american, but could never get to othe UK =3
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permalinkI'll take your word on that, but it seems to me that taking a trip with so many "firsts"---first time outside the UK, first time air-traveling internationally, first time in the USA, first time at a furry con (if not any sort of con in general), to say nothing of the sheer size of the crowd at AC---you're setting yourself up for disappointment, if not disaster.
Is the issue with British furry cons really such a showstopper? There, at the very least, you could potentially get to know someone who is planning on making the trip to AC, and maybe even make arrangements to travel together---or, short of that, at least hear the voice of experience from someone who's already done it.
I mean, walk before you run, y'know?
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iSKUNK!
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
On the planning issue, such as going with someone else from the UK so traveling is easier, that may allready be sorted, as while I havent attended a UK con, I've been apart of the fandom for roughly seven years, n know a few people who travel n might be going AC =3
And aye, allways walk before you can run, but one thing I was taught young; Life is for living and enjoying, not regreting or remembering, so enjoy it, your gonna make some mistakes, but overall, those will help you make future efforts better
Even if the con itself is a bust, or it gets too crowded, got nearly a week in Pittsburg, so can allways do a little exploring and sight seeing (Hell, I wanna find out why people say american chocolate is so bad compared to european stuff O.o n what the heck all this Hershy stuff is)
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permalinkWell, as long as you know what you'd be getting yourself into. Do plan well.
I'd still hold out some consideration for British cons. Confuzzled is in May; barring financial limitations, you could well do that and AC. (And you get to meet Vin Weasel! Heck, I want to meet Vin Weasel! But I'm not cool and British like you, so no weasels for me
)
As for sightseeing in Pittsburgh... oy. It brings to mind this little cinematic moment, particularly the last part
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iSKUNK!
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
I accept the offer of booze! But just wine for me.
International travel can be rather daunting the very first time, especially if you're by yourself. If you know anyone locally that will be going as well, maybe you can meet up with him or her at the airport and travel together. If not, here's a few pointers from someone who has done a lot of travel across international borders.
1) Make sure your passport is valid and that it will not expire within six months after your arrival. If you do not have a passport, then get one now! You will not need any visas to enter the USA from the UK, but you will need the passport.
2) You may wish to make your airline arrangements through a travel agency. They often have a number to call for help in the unlikely event that you get into trouble.
3) Pack light! Most airlines charge a fee to check bags nowadays and the fees are much higher if the bag is in excess of about 20 kg. Visit the airline's web site for guidance on how big a carry-on bag can be; don't count on carrying a week's worth of clothes and sketchbooks and things onto the plane because only small bags fit into the overhead compartment, and you are only allowed one small bag and one "personal item" such as a purse or briefcase. DO NOT pack any liquids, gels, or aerosols in your carry-on.
4) Bring reading material or some other form of entertainment. Sometimes the movies shown on airlines are *boring* and you're going to be in the air for about 8-9 hours. You can use small handheld games and music players and laptops starting about 10-15 minutes after takeoff and until just before landing, but you cannot use any cel phones or anything that emits a radio signal.
5) Plan to arrive one day early (Most folks arrive on Wednesday or Thursday, even though the con doesn't officially begin until Friday). If you've never experienced east-to-west jet lag, the best thing to do is to get a good night's sleep the night before, and then keep yourself awake through the flight. You'll arrive in the USA at 3 PM, but your body will think it is 8 PM. It is important once you arrive in the States to stay awake until at least 8 PM local time or thereabout. That way when you go to bed, you'll wake up in the morning and be on the "local schedule." Where people run into trouble is when they nap on the plane, and then they aren't tired when they arrive and wind up staying awake until 4 AM, and then all the natural rhythms are thrown off.
6) It would not hurt to visit the airport a week or so before your departure. You won't be able to go through security, but you can at least get a look at the layout of the airport, see how long lines are, and so on. You can also peruse a map of the airport online -- most of them have such a thing these days.
7) Check in to your flight the night before leaving; you can do that online. Most sites let you select a seat and print your boarding pass at home. It saves a lot of time at the airport.
9) Know where you are going. Print out Anthrocon's front page and have the name of the WESTIN CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL in your head.
10) When you arrive at the airport, the first thing is to check your luggage. Find your airline's counter. There are usually kiosks where someone who already has a boarding pass can check luggage. If you did not print out your boarding pass, you'll have to stand in a line that is considerably longer to get it. If you have no luggage to check and you have printed your boarding pass, then you can bypass the ticket counter entirely and go straight to the security line.
11) There will be a big board that will list all the flights and the gate from which they are departing, except I've noticed in England that they like to keep that information secret until the last minute. If you don't know where to go, you can visit the ticket counter for your airline and look for a friendly airline employee. Show your boarding pass and say, "Where should I be going?"
12) When you go through the security line, pay close attention to the instructions. They're repeated over and over but people still ignore them and cause big backups. If you have a laptop it must come out of its case and go through the X-ray machine separately (don't worry -- X rays won't hurt it). Take all metal out of your pockets. Have your passport and your boarding pass in your hand through the metal detector -- don't leave it behind because they'll check it on the other side of the detector. You will likely have to take your shoes off and put them through the detector as well.
13) Often they will take you out of line and pass a metal detecting wand over you. Don't worry. It's routine procedure.
14) Once through security, you can check the board to see which gate your flight will depart from. If the flight is listed but there is no gate, don't panic. It just means you've got time for coffee or a snack or whatever.
15) When your gate is announced, just go to it and be ready to join the cattle-line of people trying to board. They usually board by zone numbers that are printed on your boarding pass, but there's always dimwits who don't pay attention.
16) Once on the plane, stow your bag (if you have one) and take your seat quickly. Don't fasten your seat belt if you're on the aisle until the row is filled, since someone will have to climb over you to get to the seat and you might as well just stand up.
17) In the air, your ears will certainly feel the pressure drop. Bring some gum or some hard candy to suck on. That helps me.
18) You may wish to consider bringing earplugs. I call these ABD's: Anti-Baby Devices.
19) In the air, they'll bring a scary-looking government form that must be filled out for your arrival.
20) When you land, follow the signs and the crowd to "Customs/Immigration" or "International Arrivals." There will be a bunch of booths at Passport Control. Make sure to go to one that is marked "Non-US Passport Holders"
21) Hand the nice agent your passport. At this point just answer the questions; don't try to make conversation and don't volunteer information. Common questions are "How long will you be in the US?" "What is the purpose of your visit?" and "Where will you be staying?" The answers are "6 days (or however many you plan to stay)," "A convention (and if they ask what kind of convention, say "A cartoon convention" because if you say "A furry convention" it will confuse the agent, and that's never a good thing to do. If they want more information, show the printout from Anthrocon's main web page)" and "The Westin Convention Center (or Doubletree, if you are staying there)." Don't be nervous. This person is just making sure you aren't Osama bin Laden. Unless you are Osama bin Laden, you have nothing to be worried about. Osama bin Laden would not know the name of the hotel he's staying at, you see.
22) Afterward, there are lines for Customs. As long as you aren't bringing any meat, cheese or vegetables (eat all that on the plane) or Cuban cigars or anything else we don't like to have in this country, then you can go to the "Nothing to declare" line, unless there's something you listed on your International Arrivals Card that indicates you need to declare it.
23) You pick up your luggage before you go through Customs, and that is where you hand over your arrival card. Once you get through that, Welcome to the USA!
24) Follow the signs for "Ground Transportation." There are various ways to get to the hotel, and those will be detailed on this web page as the convention gets closer.
25) Note: People in Pittsburgh may seem rude. It is not personal; that is just the local idiom. The accent sounds harsh and perhaps boorish to the British ear and sometimes it can seem that you are being talked down to. It's just our way of saying hello.
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
Thank you for the wealth of information, it is greatly appreciated and immencely helpfull.
I should be reciving a new machine readable passport within the next month or so, so thats sorted easily enough, and makes me viable for the visa waiver program thankfully, allthough in January 2009 their changing that too some strange online system, time will tell
Alot of information has allready been aquired partaining too the traveling side, A airport and flight price has been found though a local travel agency, as for the plan of traveling with someone else, no doubt there will be someone from here making the same journey, so should not be "Too" hard.
The only part that will likely cause problems is the form you fill out on the plane, never been too good at writing, especially without a surface to rest on, but, can cope with that as needs be
As for the flight itself, I have a few books and such I can bring with me, so boredom shouldnt be much of a problem, and I work as standard on Eastern american time, not UK time, so the time lapse isnt much of a issue for me
And as for wine, a fine choice, though do you have a prefered shade, style and vintage? allthough not a frequent drinker, I favour a nice red myself (though by god not english bottled, we still cant make a decent wine it seems)
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
The problem is that you cannot carry a bottle of wine onto the plane. You would have to check it in your luggage, and it has a significant chance of being broken. The gorillas in the luggage-handling department like to throw suitcases.
Of course, you could shop in the Duty Free stores at Heathrow and buy some wine there, which you CAN bring onto the plane, but the selection is limited. I prefer whites, preferably sweet (but not dessert) wines, such as rieslings and zinfandels.
Also, every seat in the airplane has a fold-down tray table which you can use to write on your landing card. Bring a pen, though! There won't be one on the plane.
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
I should have been specific hehe, I would be purchasing the wine in the USA, and I will make sure to note your selection, and see what I can find. All going well, it is possible I will be in the US for about a month so plenty of time too browse the market for a decent bottle.
I got rather lucky, in the form of my flight is being paid for, for me by my mother, a gift for my twenty first, since I could not attend when I was eighteen, which leaves a conciderable ammount of my funding open for use
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
Hi there!
I'm also located in the UK and planning on attending AC '09, as my first ever con.
Although I've traveled out of the UK frequently before, I don't think I'm quite the right person to advise you on it.
But if you want someone to chat to about it, or calm your fears, feel free to drop me a line.
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
hehe, yer based where I'm going too be flying from too if all goes well XD it's possible I may have one flights experience by the time, since I'll likely be flying up from Plymouth too heathrow, then there too pittsburge.
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permalinkWebsite: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
Awesome. x)
Flying is actually quite good fun. Any idea who you'll be flying with?
I've always found BA to be the best, although not necessarily the cheapest.
Also, you might well have to take a connecting flight if you want to spend less money.
If you have anything you think I can help you with, AIM me on Rgttvbyghn.
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
Aye I was quoted with BA, through thomas cook, for £370-80 direct from london too pitsburge, leaving on June 18 and returning july 15th (was hoping too say with a friend for awhile but that sunk hehe)
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
There is one thing I forgot too ask, I will likely have a fursuit made by the time AC comes about, whats the safest way of getting it too AC and back? as from my understanding I'm onlly allowed a small carry on bag and my main suitcase, wheighing 20kg
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permalinkThis list of memorable entries in the LJ "fursuit" community should be helpful.
It's a bit difficult to say more, since flying internationally with a fursuit is just about the worst-case scenario possible. You really want the voice of experience on this one.
To the above entries, I would only add the option of a Hardigg Storm Case, which can take mucho punishment. Available at good prices here in the U.S. at Adorama; not so sure about the UK.
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iSKUNK!
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permalinkLocation: Orlando, FL
Check with the airline on this. There may be differences for international flights. I went to Eurofurence this year and was allowed two checked bags with the 20kg restriction. That was sufficient space for me to transport 2 fursuits plus all of my clothing, toiletries, and bring back a handful of souvenirs.
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permalinkLocation: Roseville, CA, USA
Hello Neon,
Other people here have offered good advice on how to survive your first airplane ride to a foreign country and a furry con, particularly the advice offered by Uncle Kage. In that regard, I would only advise that it is best to travel light, with just enough clothes to see to your needs with an occasional visit to a laundromat, a light rain-repellant jacket and hat with a brim, and comfortable walking shoes, easy to take on aond off while going through airport security. If you use a belt, get one where the buckle can be removed and tossed into your carry-on bag or briefcase - along with your glasses, watch, wallet, loose change, jewelry (rings, anything aroiund your neck), in fact any metal objects about your person, to minimize the attention of the metal detectors. Needless to say, steel-toed boots are not the best option.
By all means bring a camera and an iPod or similar mp3 player, and your celphone (be sure to verify it will work here, first!), and maybe that book you've been meaning to read for a while now - but in general, the vewer toys to keep track of and lug around, the better. Travel Light!
Money is a good thing - it is the only thing which you really can't have too much of, and in a pich, will help you get over the lack of the other items that you didn't bring with you. Toiletries are a pain to carry - buy them and similar expendable items once you get here, at a convenience store, for example.
Never flown on a plane? If your travel agent can swing it, try to get a seat by the window, forward of the wing, for your First Flight, particularly if the flight takes place in daylight. True, there isn't a whole lot of variety to see looking down on the mid-atlantic, but over land, the different perspective is the most compelling thing, aside from saving time, to flight as a mode of travel. For slightly better comfort, to keep the heat and glare of the sun from your face and eyes, that your seat be on the right, or starboard, side of the craft going WEST, and on the Left, or PORT, side flying back EAST.
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But that isn't really what I wished to say; You mention that it is one of your dreams to visit, and perhaps eventually live, in the USA. I am curious - Is there any PARTICULAR thing or place that you wish to visit, see, or do while you are here? What would really make your trip to the USA a success - besides attending AnthroCon, of course?
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
Didnt get a notification of thsi post untill now O.o dang my e-mail >.<
Anything particular? well plans permitting, there is one person in particular who I'll likely be staying with before, during and after the con.
Sights wise, this trip or my next trip too the US, I want too go see the site of the world trade center, odd I know, especially for a brit, but I'd like too pay respects.
And if possible, see what a american police department looks like, as in all honestly pending if I can move too the USA, I'd be looking at signing up for the police force
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permalinkLocation: Roseville, CA, USA
No - hardly odd, at all. Believe me, the gesture is deeply appreciated, and it is nice to be reminded that despite all that passes (and continues to pass), that we still have Friends Abroad, and that the common cultural ties still hold. Welcome, cousin!
By all means, do! I wish I could help you with that, but Police Departments in the United States run the gamut in size, professionalism, and willingness to offer "tours". Almost every one has a public information/public relations office, however, so there are all sorts of opportunities to learn more about the field of Law Enforcement in the United States.
I CAN tell you that the large metropolitan centers in the US have police departments which are most alike in general organisation, orientation, goals, and operating practices, and probably come closest to the stereotypical image of American "Big City" Police departments. But each of the 50 states in the US have different standards of training, and each enforce a different set of Penal, Health and Welfare, and Safety Codes. Incorporated cities and towns usually have Police Departments. The next level of government authority is the County, with the senior Law Enforcement Officer being an elected Sheriff, with a staff of Deputy Sheriffs to take care of preserving the peace (often referred to as "Peace OFficers") in unincorporated areas, out in "the country". The County Sheriff is very much an instrument of the Court System, responsible for securing the courthouses, providing bailiffs, manning and running the jail, incarcerating miscreants in said jail, holding them for appearance before a magistrate, or administering punitive incarceration ("90 dollars, or 90 days!"). The Sheriff's Office is responsible for evictions, seizing and auctioning off delinquent properties, serving warrants - all this, in addition to the duties which Police Officers perform. In some states, we also have marshals, who are usually bailiffs in municipal court, and handle civil actions; they are often just an adjunct to the Sheriff's Office. They are VERY MUCH instruments of the court, and aren't involved in general, day-to-day "crime fighting" type work.
At the State Level, many states have a State Patrol, State Police, and/or State Trooper service. California (where I live) has a State Police, responsible for protecting State Offices and Property, and a Highway Patrol, for patrolling the highways and enforcing vehicle codes; while both are composed of sworn Law Enforcement Officers, and are able to enforce any section of our state's statutes, they are generally directed to specific enforcement jobs, such as investigating vehicle accidents, tracking drunk drivers, that sort of thing; it's a "Jurisdictional" matter as much as anything else, though ANY Law Enforcement Officer is pretty much allowed to and expected to "set course towards the sound of gunfire" and lend aid, as needed. Most bank robbers in Los Angeles, for example, are apprehended by the California Highway Patrol, simply because they are either closest or quickest on the scene, or have the resources to pursue suspect vehicles from one end of the state to the other, if necessary.
At the FEDERAL level, we have the FBI, and the US Marshal's Office, both subordinate to the US Department of Justice; The FBI, you have probably heard about - the Marshals work for Deputy US Attorneys working under the US Attorney General, or are instruments of the US District Federal Court. US Marshals are the guys in the old "Western" movies, who would be sent out to Territorial land administered by the Federal Government, but not yet a State, sent out to "Clean Out" Dodge City or Tombstone, catch robbers and bandits, and bring 'em in before a Federal circuit-riding judge, and then either tossing them in the Territorial Prison, or "hangin' 'em high."
As you can see, there is quite a wide spectrum to what "an american police department looks like". It ranges from big city departments which take as much pride in their profession as Scotland Yard does, all the way to small, one-horse towns in rural, agricultural states, usually underfunded and undermanned, where the individual isolated deputy or trooper, left to his own devices, will see his job more in the line of "Keeping the Peace" and will use whatever means is at hand to do so, according to his own lights. USUALLY, it all somehow works out for the best....usually.
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permalinkLocation: Orlando, FL
There's nothing odd about wanting to see sights in another country. To be sure, New York City is quite a place to visit, and the World Trade Center site is a somber place (if not a place abuzz with construction now).
Just be aware that New York City is a bit away from Pittsburgh. (about 327 miles.) So it's not really a quick drive from the convention area. If you're planning to travel within the US while visiting, just be sure you earmark enough time to travel and do the things you want to do. (Time flies faster than you think.)
KP
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permalinkLocation: Southern England
Ugh unfortunately, looks like AC is out for me next year x.x their re-doing the visa application system in febuary here, meaning EVERYONE will have too apply for one and the visa waiver program will nolonger be valid.
I cant book tickets, hotels or con stuff untill I know I can travel, and that could be late feb/march, leaving only three months if that too arrange flights, hotels, con registration and such x.x
So it's looking like my first cons gonna have too be EuroFurence, and just a small trip late in the year too america x.x, if any of ya are going in 09, look me up
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permalinkBlog: [Link]
Um...are you sure about that? The USA is implementing an electronic authorization system in January for international travelers, but there is nothing that says that the Visa Waiver Program with the UK will not be valid.
EDIT: As I read that page, the Visa Waiver Program is not going away. They are simply adding one more level of
paranoiasecurity. You can apply now for an Electronic Travel Authorization, which will be good for two years. It doesn't automatically get you into the country, but it apparently will help make it a little easier to travel to our shores without so much hassle.- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Southern England
Hmm will look into it again, it was the US embasy in england tho, and the airlines that told me I wouldnt be able to arrange anything till Febuary O.o
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