Army Tuba conference without a car?

[mikebmiller]

Is it practical or possible to attend the Army tuba conference without a car? Amtrak comes right through my town and I can get on a train at 11 at night and get off in DC about 10 the next morning for $100, which is only about twice as much as I would spend on gas getting there. I know that the DC metro does not have a station at Ft. Meyer, but I was wondering if cabs or Uber/Lyft are a practical way of getting there. It is not really that long of a walk from the civilian entrance to the band room, at least from what I recall from going to a couple of trombone workshops. Can you access the civilian entrance on foot?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[Three Valves]

You can walk from the Arlington cemetery metro to Buckner, but I don’t know if they will still let you.

[scottw]

Is it practical or possible to attend the Army tuba conference without a car? Amtrak comes right through my town and I can get on a train at 11 at night and get off in DC about 10 the next morning for $100, which is only about twice as much as I would spend on gas getting there. I know that the DC metro does not have a station at Ft. Meyer, but I was wondering if cabs or Uber/Lyft are a practical way of getting there. It is not really that long of a walk from the civilian entrance to the band room, at least from what I recall from going to a couple of trombone workshops. Can you access the civilian entrance on foot?

Just wondering. Thanks.

In the instructions on the website, it mentions Uber and Lyft as a means of getting to Bruckner Hall. The driver needs clearance, too. They can take you right to the door.

[mikebmiller]

Thanks. I am not 100% sure about attending just yet. It might actually be cheaper to rent a car for a few days than to pay for a bunch of uber rides.

[Leland]

You can walk from the Arlington cemetery metro to Buckner, but I don’t know if they will still let you.

I did this when I attended on foot (and also walked to/from the Rosslyn Metro station), but it's a no-go after hours. And I'm not sure about pedestrian access at the gate near the Iwo Jima memorial (the Wright Gate, listed as limited-use at JBMHH's website).

https://home.army.mil/jbmhh/index.php/t ... -gate-info" target="_blank

The band's page about visitor access says that civilians need to use Hatfield Gate right off of Washington Blvd:
https://www.usarmyband.com/plan-your-vi ... ntrol.html" target="_blank

[timothy42b]

The Wright Gate and the Arlington gate are restricted to govt ID holders. So you can walk up Arlington Cemetery from the Metro or up the hill from Rosslyn but that guard will not let you in.

Walking to the visitor gate is not practical. I did it once and it's theoretically possible but not practical if you're not a local expert. So uber, lyft, or a taxi. Or stay somewhere most people stay (Virginia Suites or Sheraton) and car pool.

[mikebmiller]

Last time I went to the trombone thing, I used priceline for the hotel and ended up at the Key Bridge Marriott for under $100 a night.The weather was really nice that weekend. I was able to ride my bike all the way out to Mt. Vernon and back.

[Three Valves]

The Wright Gate and the Arlington gate are restricted to govt ID holders. So you can walk up Arlington Cemetery from the Metro or up the hill from Rosslyn but that guard will not let you in.

That’s what I was thinking, walking thru the cemetery. You can see Buckner from that gate, they just won't let you pass. And its about seven miles to go around!!

[kingrob76]

Is it practical or possible to attend the Army tuba conference without a car? Amtrak comes right through my town and I can get on a train at 11 at night and get off in DC about 10 the next morning for $100, which is only about twice as much as I would spend on gas getting there. I know that the DC metro does not have a station at Ft. Meyer, but I was wondering if cabs or Uber/Lyft are a practical way of getting there. It is not really that long of a walk from the civilian entrance to the band room, at least from what I recall from going to a couple of trombone workshops. Can you access the civilian entrance on foot?

Just wondering. Thanks.

As described, it's possible but not practical. Your best bet is to drive and stay somewhere cheap.

[Yane]

In 2017 got an Airbnb about a half mile from the Hatfield Gate and walked in, then another half mile to Bruckner Hall. The weather cooperated, cold but clear, would have been miserable and/or hazardous in snow. Sadly, that Airbnb host seems to have moved, though there may be other Airbnb’s near Hatfield gate. I’m probably the reason they won’t let you through the cemetery gate any more, I did that on foot a few years prior while staying at the official event hotel at the time, Virginia Suites.

[Leland]

Is the gate by the Henderson Hall PX also Govt ID only? That'd be a hike and a half from Pentagon City, but still...

[mikebmiller]

I guess the MPs would frown on trying to hop the fence from Arlington Cemetery.

[Three Valves]

I guess the MPs would frown on trying to hop the fence from Arlington Cemetery.

Fence hopping, once unenforced, is indeed dicourage now, or so I’m told...

[scottw]

And, over the years, I have found the base police to be pretty humorless--definitely not civilian friendly.

[JasonEuphonium]

And, over the years, I have found the base police to be pretty humorless--definitely not civilian friendly.

I arrived last year on Wednesday for the solo competition and the base police seemed entirely unaware that there was any kind of event happening with the Army band. They just kept saying "there isn't a concert today" over and over again. I had to let them scroll around the conference website on my phone for a few minutes before they let me in.

[timothy42b]

And, over the years, I have found the base police to be pretty humorless--definitely not civilian friendly.

I arrived last year on Wednesday for the solo competition and the base police seemed entirely unaware that there was any kind of event happening with the Army band.

And that is why you should follow the access control procedures on the conference website. Once you're in the system the guard can scan your driver's license and he'll wave you in. Those systems are much improved over the past couple years and they really work. But you have to do your part.

Pre-register, pre-register, pre-register. https://www.usarmyband.com/plan-your-vi ... ntrol.html" target="_blank

[mikebmiller]

I remember when I was in college you could drive on to the old Air Force base at Myrtle Beach and drive within about 50 feet of a fighter plane sitting on the runway without anyone even asking who you were. I guess times have changed.

[Three Valves]

That pre-registration set up this year is pretty trick!!

[mikebmiller]

Well, I didn't make it to DC, car or not, but I watched the British Army Brass Band last night on Youtube. Those guys rocked. Looking forward to watching the Blues tonight.