Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Planes
If you are traveling by airplane to the 2006 Nationals, the first thing you need to do is decide which airport you want to fly into. By far, the most convenient to Wolcott is the Bradley International Airport at Hartford, CT. From this airport, it is about a 30 minute ride to Wolcott by traveling south on I 91, then West on I 84, and then just following the directions as provided.
What is important to remember about air travel is BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY. If you book 4 months in advance, the round-trip fare from Los Angeles to Hartford is about $318. If you book a week or so before the flight, the cost jumps to $1600. SO, booking early can save enough money to have a really enjoyable time while in Connecticut.
Other local airports that you may want to consider are:
Westchester County Airport, WestChester, NY - about a 1.5 hour ride to Wolcott.
New York LaGuardia Airport, New Your, NY - about a 2 hour ride to Wolcott, but this can vary greatly based on time of day and traffic on Interstate 95. Also, be prepared to pay a number of bridge and turnpike tools if flying into metro New York.
John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, NY - about a 2 1/2 hour ride to Wolcott, but again, this can vary greatly based on traffic on the Grand Central Parkway. For this reason, and the rule that firearms cannot be taken to/from JFK, I do not recommend this airport unless you get a really good fare and like to fry your nerves in traffic.
Tweed New Haven Airport - New Haven, CT - about a 1 hour ride from Wolcott and more and more airlines are flying out of this airport.
Stewart International Airport - Newburgh, NY - provides a straight shot on interstate 84 to Wolcott......about 85 miles so plan on a 1 1/2 hour commute time.
Traveling with firearms on airlines - a few tips that can help you get through airports easily.
Each year this question comes up at the nationals. Remembering a couple of simple rules will result in hassle free transportation of your gun on the airline on which you travel. Rules and suggestions are:
1. Call the airline you are traveling on and make sure their policies allow transport of firearms.
2. Always have the case locked until someone in authority at the check-in counter tells you to open it.
3. Use a good case - things tend to get banged around a fair amount on airlines.
4. Make sure your PCP has no air in it. It is illegal to transfer pressurized canisters in checked baggage.
5. Don't argue with the flight attendant that your gun is not a firearm and is therefore exempt from this or that rule...A gun is a gun to these people, so let them treat it as such.
6. The rules say that you have to transport ammo in a separate checked bag.
7. Once the airline verifies that you gun is an unloaded gun, you get to sign a certificate that says you checked it. This goes into the case and you lock it.
8. Some airlines will take the gun right away while others will ask you to deliver the gun to the TSA baggage screening agent. It varies from airport to airport.
9. On the other end when you go to pick your gun up, remember that some airlines will put the gun on the baggage belt while others will hand deliver it to the baggage area, You just have to stay on your toes and keep alert for what is happening around you. Also, at some airports, the hand carried baggage is not delivered until all routine luggage hits the belts. So don't worry if it seems a bit of time to get your gun back to you.
10. Finally - ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS. Being argumentative or challenging the agents on what they are doing just sets you up for a difficult time at the airport.
Trains
The Metro Transit Authority can get you from Waterbury to Grand Central Terminal in New York City in about two hours. Their website is http://www.mta.info/ On that site, everything you need to know about the trains and their schedules can be found on the METRO NORTH RAILROAD link. The address of the train station is
333 Meadow Street
Waterbury, CT 06702-1808
A few things to remember about the Metro North Railroad:
1. on a weekday, it can be somewhat difficult to find parking spaces in the daily lots after 7AM. SO if you can park somewhere close to the MTA station and walk to the station that is a good idea.
2. Don't park in the reserved spaces for commuters. Without an MTA 6 month sticker, the fine can be expensive.
3. Some of the Waterbury trains make you connect (get on another train) at Norwalk or Stamford. If transferring from one train to another isn't your cup of tea, I would suggest driving your car from Waterbury via Route 8 south to Bridgeport. When you get to Bridgeport, follow the signs for the transportation authority center and parking. From there, you can get a straight shot to Grand Central Terminal in about 1 hour 20 minutes.
4. You want to take the MTA trains which are the commuter trains to the city. Not Amtrack which is for longer distances with fewer stops and less frequent service.
5. If you are interested in going to NYC and need more info contact me at davidlday@yahoo.com I ride the trains every day and know the ropes!
6. If you are going to NYC, it is best to have a plan for what you want to do before you get there. For maps, the Grand Central Partnership will have maps right inside the entrance to NYC and in booths outside the terminal if it is a nice day. My recommendation is to do two things. First, go to the Empire State Building and go to the top. If it is a clear day out it is the best way to get a perspective on the enormity of NYC. Remember to take binoculars. Second, when you exit the station on 42nd street, just turn right and walk down 42nd . You'll pass Avenue of the Americas and the next block puts you at Times Square. It is about a 7 block treck and puts you right smack in the middle of things. With a little luck, the naked cowboy and cowgril will be out singing.
Automobiles
Only a few suggestions here.
1. If you work for a big company, chances are you can get a corporate rate that is much cheaper than the daily rate for a car from Avis, Hertz, National etc. Check with your Human Resources Department.
2. Check with your own auto insurance carrier before renting. If you own a relatively new car with a good market value, chances are your policy will also cover a rental car. This means you can use your existing insurance to cover your rental at a huge savings.
3. Buy the gas option from the rental agency or remember to purchase gas and fill the tank before returning. Rental companies charge about 3 times the going rate for gas if you do not return the car full.
4. Have some change on hand. Although there are no toll booths in Connecticut, the surrounding states are notorious for them. Just have some $1 bills and a roll of quarters and you'll be good to go for travel in New York, New Jersey (watch their idiot drivers), and Mass.
5. When you pick up your car, verify the mileage on the odometer to the rental agreement before leaving the parking lot. They often don't match and you could end up paying for someone else's use of the car.
6. Have maps......New England's road system makes Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta look like childs play!
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