Your Volcano Express Experience Stop in and rate it!

[KYPARROTHEAD]

Hey all,

So you paid the moola for the VE experience, what did you think?

I would like to also say, I do understand the work it takes to put on these type of events, and to say its tough handling it is an understatement. I run a ski trip every year that has grown dramatically from 80 people to upwards of 1800 college kids. Imagine getting that many people from their college town to colorado, arranging hotel and activities. So I appreciate Rob@VE efforts!


I am not sure how many we ended up with, but i know there were a TON of buses and people in the food line.
Brandon

[crawfish]

how can i rate it when i don't know what it is?

[KYPARROTHEAD]

For those taht went to alpine, they know what it is =) Basically it was a bus ride, tailgate with food and beer, ect. from janesville to the venue and back. www.volcanoexpress.com if you must know =)

[kentucky_parrot]

The issues that I saw were beyond the control of the VE crew. I know that there was an issue with getting everyone on the correct busses. From what I understand, the drivers were all supposed to have a sheet with people's names already on it. (I know that the BN'ers bus were already pre-assigned, but the driver failed to use his list when people were boarding)

I really didn't eat much, but when I went to get a brat, I had one in no time! Actually, the catering crew was bringing them to us in line!

I didn't drink any of the beer since I brought my own drinks.

The only compaint that I have was with the Best Western. Since they forgot that I was on the waiting list for a room since March, and they were giving them out to others before calling me. We got it sorted out when we got in Janesville, but I ended up having 2 hotel rooms for the weekend. One at Motel 6 and One at the Best Western.

[finsupnorth]

Well, although I am a strong supporter since I have done it for years on end...I will say that I was a bit disappointed and also a bit embarressed this year... It did not run as smooth as years past...


As Steve from the South of Disorder Band said on Thursday....crap - I can't remember...but he compared Rob to someone or something that just has ill-luck....

I am not making excuses by any means, but so many things were not followed through with 3rd party vendors..... I am actually shocked things ran as smoothly as they did....

The buses did not inform their drivers of the proper rules that have been in force for years on end...

The food line, etc should have been more staffed and Alpine should have given us the extra room that they have for all the previous years.....

All-in-all....toning it down or splitting it into 2 separate groups may be the thing for next time...

I am just glad Friday night went as smoothly as it did (that is what I took some control over...)....wish I had more control over Saturday, but I can only do what I can do...

No matter how things went, I will still thank Rob for all his hard work and effort.......

And I will definitely thank ALL OF YOU that made the entire weekend so much fun!!!!!!! To all the long-time phriends - great seeing you all again...

To the new ones - SO glad I could add you to the list...I loved every one of you!!!

My parents are definitely unvirginized and loved every minute of it and now know why I love it so much....everyone is so friendly..

Oh, and for those that closed the bar with my dad Saturday night....he had a MAJOR HANGOVER...and he is not a rooky by any means!!! Well done!!!!!!

[finsupnorth]

The issues that I saw were beyond the control of the VE crew. I know that there was an issue with getting everyone on the correct busses. From what I understand, the drivers were all supposed to have a sheet with people's names already on it. (I know that the BN'ers bus were already pre-assigned, but the driver failed to use his list when people were boarding)

I really didn't eat much, but when I went to get a brat, I had one in no time! Actually, the catering crew was bringing them to us in line!

I didn't drink any of the beer since I brought my own drinks.

The only compaint that I have was with the Best Western. Since they forgot that I was on the waiting list for a room since March, and they were giving them out to others before calling me. We got it sorted out when we got in Janesville, but I ended up having 2 hotel rooms for the weekend. One at Motel 6 and One at the Best Western.

Gee...You look kind of familiar....is it so????? or am I off base...you will know what I mean if I am correct.....

[kentucky_parrot]

Gee...You look kind of familiar....is it so????? or am I off base...you will know what I mean if I am correct.....

I'm not sure what you mean. PM me and I'll tell you if it is so.

[z-man]

I was disappointed in the whole process.

We sat on the bus in the Janesville parking lot for over an hour and a half.

The food and drink lines in the Alpine lot were so long that I never did get anything (fortunately CaptainP was gracious enough to let me eat over there)

I realize the parking lot at Alpine was hard to negotiate, but we sat on the bus in the Alpine lot for over an hour and a half before moving, then the driver got lost on the way back to Janesville.

On the plus side; it was good to visit with BNers on the bus, and I had not heard Whaleshark before (and I really like the two CDs I bought )

[kentucky_parrot]

I realize the parking lot at Alpine was hard to negotiate, but we sat on the bus in the Alpine lot for over an hour and a half before moving, then the driver got lost on the way back to Janesville.

I was wondering why we were cruising the Best Buy parking lot! HEHE..

[Hoosier PH]

I think Rob does a fantastic job managing 10 bus loads full of people. There were some issues that came up that were out of his control. The bus drivers didn't use the sign up sheets and someone else told me that Rob's sister said 7 caterors did not show up. However I am still happy with what Rob provides us with. Food, beer, and a ride to/from the concert, sure beats a DWI. I don't think you can beat all that for 55$. I will be doing the Volcano Express bus trip next time.

I was disappointed to see one of the caterors in tears becuase a couple people were giving her s*** because some a******* thought the food line was too slow. I wish they would have been the ones serving people and maybe they would have thought differently before verbally abusing someone. Kind of difficult to serve 500-600 in a matter of minutes.

[Hoosier PH]

I realize the parking lot at Alpine was hard to negotiate, but we sat on the bus in the Alpine lot for over an hour and a half before moving, then the driver got lost on the way back to Janesville.

I was wondering why we were cruising the Best Buy parking lot! HEHE..

He wanted to take us on a tour of Janesville at 2:00am

[Captain Morgan]

I was disappointed. I got 0 food and 0 drink out of the ordeal. I had 0 room on the bus as there weren't enough seats so I actually had negative room (less than 0)...I had someone sitting on my lap on the trip to and from the show.

The only saving grace was that I had CRC on my lap 1 way and Krissy on my lap the other....hey ladies!

[Cubbie Bear]

The buses brought all those BN'rs to me. I like that

[Captain Morgan]

The buses brought all those BN'rs to me. I like that

lol...speaking of which, Cubbie it was a pleasure to finally meet you!

[PIA]

i was on the phone with with kyph and capt mo....sooo i had a wonderful time with lots of space to myself!!!

ill be ther enext year!

[Cubbie Bear]

The buses brought all those BN'rs to me. I like that

lol...speaking of which, Cubbie it was a pleasure to finally meet you!

Same here my friend

[Captain Morgan]

i was on the phone with with kyph and capt mo....sooo i had a wonderful time with lots of space to myself!!!

ill be ther enext year!

lol, you're such a pia!

[islaMike]

Hi,

This was our first time on the express and I have to say for the most part it was a blast. We were at the ball on Friday night (WOW what a great time) and there Sat for Whaleshark and the bus trip. I think for the amount of people in our overall group it was well done. The efforts by Rob and crew with the food and drink was recognized by me and my wife. I run events like this professionally and know how hard they can be. The people we met "other BN'rs and PHs" were fantastic and we had a wonderful time with you all!

My only complaint was we were on bus #8 and after the concert it took us back to Milwaukee then to Janesville even though only 10 people on the bus were going back to Milwaukee. We got on the bus at 11 and never got back to Janesville until almost 4AM. The first couple hours we were still laughing and partying but the last 2 or so were painful. I called Rob at 4 AM and was not real nice but yesterday emailed him and told him I was frustrated but did have a great time and thank you. Rob ran around at the tailgate working his ass off.

* After the long bus ride I never got contact info from our new friends Amy and Jason from Deerfield. You guys out there? We would love to stay in touch!

Would we do it again YES!

Isla Mike

[gingele]

Hello! Ok, I have finally broken my longtime lurkdom for this thread and for islaMike in particular! Yes, it is me - Amy of Amy and Jason a/k/a the Painkiller people! (BTW, next year we will bring at least 2 gallons)

And I'd second that summation of the day with VE - overall it was a blast and we loved meeting so many fantastic pholks - we will definitely be back with VE next year (and the next, and next, etc...hear that JB? *crossing fingers*). However, that fiasco of going to Milwaukee first on the return trip was a drag. Luckily we caught some sleep but it did hurt to have to get off the bus at 4am in the rain. Luckily some fellow Bus #8 riders took pity on us and gave us a lift back to the Super 8 - which would have been the longest short walk ever had we been forced to hoof it.

I would have also been a wee bit happier had I had some earlier confirmation before the show that yes, I'd actually be on a bus. The chaos surrounding the "sign-up" at the Best Western was just a bit of added stress that wasn't necessary. Nothing a few painkillers couldn't fix, of course.

Thanks to Rob and all the great pholks we met for making this year's show so much fun!! See you next year!

[fruitcake (aka drunkgirl)]

all i should say is that for the price i paid i certainly can't complain.

this trip is stressful for rob every year. a lot of the stuff was beyond his control. i'm not quite sure how the buses got so overcrowded. were we actually overbooked or were people on the buses without tickets to be there? i know there were alot of people staying at the hotel that were NOT with our bus trip. it's possible they hitched a ride.
my bus was overcrowded. i stood on the ride there (and tossed jello shots, and sang and danced, and was just my usual fruitcake self) i would have stood even if i had had a seat of my own. the way home i was on the floor (it was a limo bus so it was carpeted) leaning on somebody's legs, and it was all okay.

i did manage to eat. didn't drink any alcohol provided by VE as i had more than enough of my own!!!

i know there were other issues as well, and i will just ignore them all and say i am always happy going to see jimmy, as long as i have a ride there and a ride home, i am HAPPY!

everybody got there, and we all had tickets what more can we ask for? (don't really answer that! )

so i will keep my FINZ UP and be there next year....