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Hey Guys,

I'm traveling with my orchestra to LA. I've researched flying from Cincy to LA by both plane and Amtrak. By plane the cost is double the cost of Amtrak. Although it takes half the time, flying does not include the cost of bringing my hard-case with my CC tuba.

I'm asking for advice. I would like to schedule lessons with Pearson and Sheridan while I'm out there. So....

1. Fly with only my CC tuba and hard case - 1 day travel - $425 + cost of checking my horn
2. Amtrak with CC and F tuba - 2 1/2 day travel -$225 + cost of bringing both horns

Cheers.

I see this more as a question of is the premium expense of traveling 2 days worth the opportunity cost of traveling 6 days. If you have the time and can utilize yourself on the train, take it: it is cheaper, and less risky concerning damage. If you can not afford the opportunity cost of taking off a week, or more die to the busy schedules of those you seek knowledge, bite the bullet and take the plane.

Have you looked into the option of shipping the horn separately in advance? I am uncertain if this would be cheaper than the flight overages.

I have never taken the train to LA, but I've always wanted to. Sounds like an adventure to me. What orchestra?

I was recently in the same situation and I ended up flying with one tuba. The thought of two and a half days on a train or bus did not appeal at all. If you know anyone out there, you could always see if they would be willing to let you borrow a horn for a day. That's what I did and it worked out really well, I just brought my mouthpiece.

That are the other members of the orchestra doing? If you have a group you can usually get a better rate or even car pool.

You're going to spend considerably more on gas+lodging than the Amtrak cost. And, unless you are cool with 1000+ miles per day, you will have two hotels to pay.

Driving the car is right in the middle, cost-wise, but with the advantage of having a vehicle once you get to L.A., which you will definitely need in order to get around... public transportation in L.A. is more-or-less a joke.

One question - if the orchestra is going as a group, are they making any arrangements for other big instruments, like basses or percussion? Could you include your tuba in its hardcase along with the timpani?

bloke wrote:How much does it cost to drive your car?

Surely driving is cheaper than Amtrak...(??)

I have driven Cincy to San Diego several time and it is not cheaper unless you don't stop to sleep or eat. It is about 3500 miles, round trip. I would guess, if you ate at modest restaurants and took modest motels you would exceed air fare.