NORTHEAST CONGRESS 2012
LOGISTICS PACKET
Jacob Meisel YOUR GUIDE Northeast Governor [email protected]
Austin Ostro TO DC! Director of Logistics [email protected] Katie Zhou Director of Logistics [email protected]
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Table of Contents Transportation Tips……………………………………………3 Charter Buses…………………………………………………4-5 Non-Charter Options.……………………………………….…5 Amtrak………………………………………………………...6-7 Air Travel………………………………………………………7 Directions/Map………………………………………………...9
Dear Chapter Presidents, Organizing transportation to overnight conventions can be a very stressful and time consuming process. It is one of the most difficult obstacles you face in getting your chapters to conventions. It is our job as your Director of Logistics to help ease the burden. We can work with you to help find chapters to share busing with to reduce costs on both sides, help negotiate with bus companies and help you find the mode of transportation that best fits your needs. We are happy to help you with any logistical issues that may arise or if you have any questions in general. We would also like to know how you plan on getting to Winter Congress so please e-mail [email protected] with your plans even if you don’t need assistance. We hope you find this packet useful and helpful in your transportation search. Respectfully, Austin Ostro Katie Zhou Director of Logistics Director of Logistics
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Transportation Tips
Shop Around!
You wouldn’t buy the first car you look at or in JSA terms you wouldn’t vote for the first person to speak, so why then would you go with the first bus company you call? YOU HAVE TO SHOP AROUND! When I was arranging busing for the Northeast State. The first company said the bus would be 700 dollars, 6 bus companies down the road I got an offer for 300 dollars. Shopping is important.
Talk to them about JSA!
JSA is a great organization in so many ways. We promote discussion of the issues that affect us and the world, we teach the youth of America about what is going on in this room, we train the next generation of leaders in got a 10% discount on the buses I needed. Also make sure to mention that the Junior State this country. These are all great things to share with the bus companies. Bus companies will be much more likely to give you a sizable discount if you explain how great an organization the bus companies would be giving a discount to.
Work with other chapters!
The other chapters in your area are a great resource! If you can’t fill up a bus by yourself why not ask a nearby chapter to share the bus with you? That way you aren’t left with the bill for seats you didn’t need. Plus it is a great way to meet other JSAers!
Promise them continued business!
Chances are you will need a bus for Spring State as well, so promise them your business for those conventions and you will likely see a reduction in your quote. Also promise to recommend the bus company to other JSAers. They would be happy to give you a discount if it means more net business for them!
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Transportation Options
CHARTERED BUSES: ECR Most ECR Chapters opt to either take a charter bus or Amtrak to Winter Congress. Below you will find information about these options as well as purchasing tickets for already scheduled buses. Below are some reputable bus companies that you should contact for quotes to Winter Congress. A reasonable price for a bus from the New York Metropolitan area to Arlington, VA is $2400-2600. This price is subject to change based on how far away you are from New York City and the date that you book the charter. Remember that the earlier you book your charter bus, the less expensive it will be. I urge you to book your buses no later than January 8st to get the best possible deal. Most chapters will not be able to fill a 50 person bus by themselves so please take advantage of our chapter matching service. Greyhound Buses Leprechaun Lines 1-(800)-231-2222 1-(800)-Magic-17 www.greyhound.com www.leprechaunlines.com
Peter Pan Buses Monsey Bus Tours 1-(800)-243-9560 1-(800)-232-TOURS www.peterpancharters.com www.monseybus.com
U.S Coachways Omega Express 1-(855)-287-2427 1-718)-858-8222 www.uscoachways.com www.omegaexpressltd.com
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NER
Many NER chapters opt to fly as it ultimately less expensive and takes a lot less time. Keep in mind that the trip from Boston to DC can take up to 10 hours. A reasonably price for a bus in the Boston Metropolitan area to Arlington is $3200-3400. The price is subject to change based on how far away from Boston you are and when you book the charter. If you would like to take a charter bus from the NER, I strongly urge you to get a quote ASAP and compare it to the cost of flying your chapter. In most cases flying is the most time and cost effective mode of transportation.
Here are some bus companies you can contact:
Greyhound Buses Peter Pan Buses 1-(800)-243-9560 1-(800)-243-9560 www.greyhound.com www.peterpancharters.com
Boston Common Coach Local Motion of Boston 1-(877)-723-3833 1-(781)-535-6344 www.bostoncommoncoach.com www.localmotionofboston.com
Non-Charter Options
ECR and NER
Many small chapters find using a scheduled bus rather than a chartered bus is easier. You can use the following websites to guide you. Tickets range from 30-60 dollars roundtrip for ECR chapters and 50-70 dollars for NER chapters. Prices go up incrementally over time. You can leave from the Port Authority in Manhattan, Stamford, Hartford or Boston.
Greyhound Buses Peter Pan Buses U.S Coachways 1-(800)-231-2222 1-(800)-243-9560 1-(855)-287-2427 www.greyhound.com www.peterpan.com www.uscoachways.com
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Amtrak
Another option is to take Amtrak to Washington D.C. With Amtrak the key is booking early. The roundtrip rate from Penn Station to Union Station in Washington, DC is $98, but THIS WILL GO UP INCREMENTALLY. I strongly urge those of you taking Amtrak to book your train tickets by January 4th, to ensure a good price. Keep in mind that you will still have to take the metro from Union Station to the hotel in Arlington which many chapters find inconvenient.
Connecticut area chapters may find leaving from Stamford more convenient however trains run less often.
In addition, group rates are significantly less. If your chapter is bringing more than 20 members to Winter Congress and you intend on using Amtrak, make sure to contact me about getting a group rate.
NER Chapters should not take Amtrak. It is more expensive than flying and takes much longer.
Amtrak 1-(800)-USA-RAIL www.amtrak.com
LEAVING FRIDAY MORNING
Depart Arrive Connection Duration* Route Train (Bus) #
Fri 6:00 am Fri 8:50 am Direct 2 hr, 50 min Acela Express 2103
Fri 6:05 am Fri 9:44 am Direct 3 hr, 39 min Northeast Regional 181
Fri 7:00 am Fri 9:47 am Direct 2 hr, 47 min Acela Express 2107
Fri 7:05 am Fri 10:25 am Direct 3 hr, 20 min Carolinian 79
Fri 7:17 am Fri 10:40 am Direct 3 hr, 23 min Northeast Regional 183
Fri 8:00 am Fri 10:45 am Direct 2 hr, 45 min Acela Express 2109
Fri 8:10 am Fri 11:29 am Direct 3 hr, 19 min Northeast Regional 185 7
Fri 9:00 am Fri 11:47 am Direct 2 hr, 47 min Acela Express 2151
Fri 9:35 am Fri 1:00 pm Direct 3 hr, 25 min Northeast Regional 141
Fri 10:00 am Fri 12:45 pm Direct 2 hr, 45 min Acela Express 2153
RETURNING SUNDAY NIGHT
Depart Arrive Connection Duration* Route Train (Bus) #
Sun 1:00 pm Sun 3:52 pm Direct 2 hr, 52 min Acela Express 2254
Sun 1:05 pm Sun 4:35 pm Direct 3 hr, 30 min Northeast Regional 194
Sun 2:20 pm Sun 5:46 pm Direct 3 hr, 26 min Northeast Regional 156
Sun 3:00 pm Sun 5:52 pm Direct 2 hr, 52 min Acela Express 2256
Sun 3:25 pm Sun 6:46 pm Direct 3 hr, 21 min Northeast Regional 132
Sun 4:00 pm Sun 6:53 pm Direct 2 hr, 53 min Acela Express 2258
Sun 4:25 pm Sun 7:46 pm Direct 3 hr, 21 min Northeast Regional 126
Sun 5:00 pm Sun 7:55 pm Direct 2 hr, 55 min Acela Express 2222
Sun 5:20 pm Sun 8:47 pm Direct 3 hr, 27 min Northeast Regional 166
Sun 6:20 pm Sun 9:47 pm Direct 3 hr, 27 min Northeast Regional 158
AIR TRAVEL
I only recommend flying for NER Chapters. The least Expensive airline is Jet Blue, which is offering roundtrip airfare from Logan Airport in Boston to Dulles in Washington for $138.60 tax inclusive.
The most ideal flight leaves Friday Morning at 8:00 A.M from Boston and the returning flight Sunday Evening leaves Washington at 6:29 P.M.
Leaving Thursday Night is significantly more expensive and I would advise against it if you are flying. The flight leaves at 6:55 P.M and costs $179.60.
Please contact me at [email protected] no later than January 8st if you would like your chapter to fly. The price will also go up incrementally over time and there are a limited amount of seats. 8
Bus Sharing Important: If you are interested in sharing your bus with another chapter, Please fill out this form no later than January 8st, 2013. www.northeast.jsa.org/bussharing
General Directions to Doubletree Arlington From: Delaware Turnpike
1. Head southwest on I-95 S
2. Continue onto I-895 S, follow signs for Interstate 895 S/ Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway/Annapolis)
3. Take exit 4 to merge onto MD-295 S toward Balt Pkwy/Wash Pkwy/Bwi Airport
4. Continue onto MD-201
5. Continue onto District of Columbia Hwy 295
6. Take the exit onto I-695 W
7. Continue onto I-395
8. Take exit 8C on the left to merge onto U.S. 1 S/Jefferson Davis Hwy toward Pentagon City/Crystal City/Alexandria
9. Take the 15th St S exit toward Pentagon City
10. Turn right onto 15th St S 9
11. Take the 1st right onto S Eads St
12. Turn right onto Army Navy Dr Destination will be on the right
Arrive at: 300 Army Navy Dr