What airport to fly into for Bussin' 2007?

[belfert]

It looks like I might end up flying down to Florida for Bussin' 2007.  What is the best airport to arrive at?  It is getting late to buy a airplane ticket, but Suncountry offers pretty cheap fares up to 3 or 4 days in advance and they fly to several airports in Florida.

My main obstacle to going is getting time off work.  I'm not sure if my coworker is off at that time or not.  I don't have enough vacation available to drive down unfortunately.

Brian Elfert

[DebDav]

We flew into Tampa/St.Pete.  Easy commute.

[JackConrad]

Closest is Southwest Regional Airport, Fort Myers, Florida. From the airport take Daniels Parkway to I-75, I-75 north across the Caloosahatchee River to Exit 143 (SR 78). East on SR 78 to SR 31 (SR 78 ends at SR31). SR 31 north to Arcadia. (SR 31 ends at SR 70 in Arcadia). Turn left on SR 70, right at the next stoplight Turner Road. North on turner Road to the Next stoplight. Turner Center in on the right. Southwest Regional Airport to Arcadia is about 1 to 1 1/4 hour drive.  Jack

[captain ron]

With traffic 1 and a 1/4 days

[Busted Knuckle]

Hey Jack,

Uh, I know there's a bus sales company in Arcadia. But I forget who it is ? Also are they good to del with?  And would they be open around the time of Bussin' 2007 ? (I know lots of places close down that time of yr as business is usually slow and to let there employees enjoy the holidays !)

BK

Just try'n to think of away to justify to dad why the company ought to send me down there then! LOL!

[belfert]

Hey Jack,

Uh, I know there's a bus sales company in Arcadia. But I forget who it is ? Also are they good to del with?  And would they be open around the time of Bussin' 2007 ? (I know lots of places close down that time of yr as business is usually slow and to let there employees enjoy the holidays !)

There are Horizon Coach and Heartland Coach both in Arcadia.  Bussin' 2007 is sponsored by Horizon Coach so one would assume they will be open.  Horizon Coach used to hold the Bussin' rallies at their facility, but they moved in the last year and cannot accomodate the rallies at their new site.

It looks like if I want to fly down at this point that Tampa is less expensive than Ft. Meyers.  My preferred airline that flies to both Tampa and Ft. Meyers is all booked on Friday and Monday.

Brian Elfert

[Busted Knuckle]

There are Horizon Coach and Heartland Coach both in Arcadia. 
It looks like if I want to fly down at this point that Tampa is less expensive than Ft. Meyers.  My preferred airline that flies to both Tampa and Ft. Meyers is all booked on Friday and Monday.

Brian Elfert

So go late Thursday & Sunday! (or Tuesday) BK 

oh yeah thanks for the answer!

[belfert]

So go late Thursday & Sunday! (or Tuesday) BK 

Flights on that airline to Ft Meyers are booked for the entire week except Christmas day.  I'm guessing all the snowbirds are going to their winter homes as there is space to get back pretty much any day.

Brian Elfert

[niles500]

Brian - Cheap flights are available out of St. Petersburg/Clearwater

http://www.fly2pie.com/airlines_destinations/

Rental cars also usually cheaper

Don't forget Sarasota too - but flying in and out of snowbirdville this time of year is kinda impossible - HTH

[JackConrad]

BK,
   Heres an excuse for you.  I know Horizon Coach will be open for business, they are one of our sponsors and will probably have a few busus on display at Bussin' 2007.  I am pretty sure Heartland Coach will also be open.  Heartland Coach has mostly conversions on site. Horizon has conversions, entertainers, and seated coaches on site. I  picked up a nice 2000 Bluebird LTC40 seated coach for them last week in Ocala along with with 6 other drivers and 6 additional BB LTC40 coaches.  Jack

[Busted Knuckle]

BK,
   Heres an excuse for you.  I know Horizon Coach will be open for business, they are one of our sponsors and will probably have a few busus on display at Bussin' 2007.  I am pretty sure Heartland Coach will also be open.  Heartland Coach has mostly conversions on site. Horizon has conversions, entertainers, and seated coaches on site. I  picked up a nice 2000 Bluebird LTC40 seated coach for them last week in Ocala along with with 6 other drivers and 6 additional BB LTC40 coaches.  Jack

Jack,
     Thanks for the info! And yes those LTC40's are nice! But dad an I have already talked about it and at this time they are ruled out because for the kinda $ they are bringing we need/can-get a 45' coach for charters. But we have said it'd be a nice way to go for xtra 40'ers, but at this time our market is screeming for 45'ers and we don't have one. Like I keep tell'n dad we can send a 40'er to do the job of a 45'er, but it's a little difficult to send a 40'er in place of a 45'er when they have 50+ passangers! BK 

But hey I saw they both have some 45'ers and I'll even trell him about the LTC's just incase he still is interested (I'm the one who's not! LOL!) 

[Hartley]

One other airport to look at would be:

Orlando-Sanford International ... located in Sanford Florida ( I think it's " SFB " )
Allegiant Air flies $69 per person each way to there.

Sanford is 120 miles from Arcadia and Enterprise has a rental car agency there. Or hook up with
someone coming from the Orlando Area and Bum a ride. ( about 3 hour ride or less. )

I will be heading to Arcadia on the 26th and back here on the 1st. I go right by the airport
to work and back. You would be welcome to ride down with me but your schedule may not
allow us to hook up.

Dave....

[JimC]

Belfert,
For busn 2004 my wife and I flew into tampa, rented a car and drove to Arcadia, its a nice ride.  We stayed at a little motel in town, decent rates, and pretty clean. If I remember right its only about 90 miles, we made good time, almost no traffic, and it was WARM, windows open the whole time.
We bought our bus there in 2004, its time we go back!

Hope to see you there.
JimCallaghan 4106
Wisconsin