Convention Fans

When it comes to having some amazing fandom conventions within driving distance, I am a pretty lucky girl. When I was in Orlando, I had MegaCon and Dragon*con. Now that I’m in Philly, I have access to all of the Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Baltimore conventions.

But what about those who are in smaller towns, or in the middle of the country? A lot of the big fandom conventions (like San Diego Comic Con, for example) are on the coasts, which means they aren’t exactly a quick car trip away. When the conventions you want to attend aren’t close by, it means taking a lot of time off work or school to drive, or purchasing a plane ticket. There’s a lot to consider when trying to decide whether to travel by plane, or by car.

The Pros of Traveling by Plane to a Convention:

- Expediency: Taking a plane instead of a car can mean getting there in a matter of hours, instead of 10, 20, or more. Even when you factor in having to get to the airport 90 minutes before the flight, and the time it takes to disembark and collect luggage, you’re still getting there way faster. For example, for me to fly to Atlanta for Dragon*con, the flight is around two and a half hours. Driving takes about thirteen hours.

- You Don’t Have to Take Off as Much Time: If you’re traveling far for a convention, and decide to drive, you’re probably taking time off work/school, or cutting into your time at the convention to do it. Flying means less of your time is budgeted for travel.

- It’s Easier: No traffic jams. No switching drivers. No fighting over who gets to play what CD. Just a few quick hours in the plane and it’s all over, and you’re there…ideally (see below for the exception).

- Cost: As much as it may defy conventional wisdom, it sometimes can be cheaper to fly than to drive.  Of course, it all depends on whether you’re traveling alone, the price of gas, the distance, and the location. With the economy the way it is, a lot of airlines are offering deals. If you’re just going by yourself, a $200 plane ticket may be cheaper than paying for gas.

The Cons of Traveling by Plane to a Convention:

- It’s Expensive: Here’s the flip side! If you are traveling with another person, going by plane can be way more expensive than driving. If it will cost about $250 in gas to drive, but each plane ticket is $200, the car option is obviously more cost effective. Even if you score a deal on plane tickets, the extra fees for checked bags, in-flight drinks and snacks can all add up to way more than the cost of gas.

- Baggage Restrictions: If you’re a cosplayer, having to fly can be a real pain in the ass. You have to worry about fitting your costumes into two bags (the usual number allowed per person), getting them under the weight requirement, and whether or not the contents will survive the journey. Traveling with a hat? Wings? Weapons? Not a good idea if traveling by plane. They could get damaged, or worse…confiscated by security.

- Road Trips Can be AWESOME: Is there anything better than a road trip with friends? Flying just isn’t the same by comparison, is it? Road trips can be epic, especially when a bunch of friends are involved. For some, the trip to the con is just as great as the convention itself.

- Delays: Flying means being subjected to the whims of mother nature (more so than with traveling by car anyway). It also means you’re at the mercy of the airlines. Low cloud ceilings? High winds? Mechanical failure? All of that can delay a flight to the point where you could miss a good chunk of a convention. That exception I mentioned above, about flying “usually” being easier? This is it.

How Do You Decide Whether to Fly or Drive?

I think for a lot of convention attendees, it comes down to a balance of time and money. It may be cheaper to drive, but it takes longer. It may be quicker to fly, but it can cost more. In the end, you have to decide what’s more important. Traveling with costumes can help influence that a bit, one way or the other, as that is just as valid a consideration in some attendees’ equations.

As for me? I’ll be making the long drive from Philadelphia to Atlanta this year for Dragon*con. I’m splitting the cost of gas (and the drive) with my boyfriend and two of our friends. Even though it means taking an extra two days off from work, the cost of plane tickets is still too high, and I know I’ll have a blast riding down there with my friends.

How do you travel to distant conventions? Post a comment and tell us!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS