Forum USA Trip 2018

03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Fri 13/01/2017 21:31

So back in 07 we had a pretty fun trip to the USA and thinking it's time a forum group headed back. I'm not going this year, as I am off to Europe for a couple months but 2018 I'm looking at 2-3weeks chasing. Rouge and Mike have told me they are keen. Any others? Money can't be an excuse, you have 16months to save

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spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Fri 13/01/2017 21:57

I have other travel plans this year as well so I wont be going over for this season but I do intend to go over again in May 2018.
Having had a good trip last year it is easier to miss a year.

mikestormchaser · Unread post by **mikestormchaser** » Fri 13/01/2017 22:01

Yes I'm keen!

NZ Thunderstorm Soc · Fri 13/01/2017 22:10

I'm interested.

mikestormchaser · Unread post by **mikestormchaser** » Fri 13/01/2017 23:12

NZ Thunderstorm Soc wrote:I'm interested.

That would be good John. A real experience to see the organised monsters of the sky. Be good if you came

jamie · Unread post by **jamie** » Sat 14/01/2017 07:08

Yep keen

jamie · Unread post by **jamie** » Sat 14/01/2017 07:09

Got a mate that's keen too

tgsnoopy · Unread post by **tgsnoopy** » Sat 14/01/2017 08:23

I'm going for a few weeks this year. Another early trip (late April to mid May) unfortunately due to various commitments. 2018 is still a way off & will definitely consider joining a NZ team. I'll not have the commitments at the end of May/Start of June next year

Rogue · Unread post by **Rogue** » Sat 14/01/2017 08:42

I plan on chasing this year as well, probably from around 20 May - 15 June or so (Alaskan holiday with the family mid May)

NZstorm · Unread post by **NZstorm** » Sat 14/01/2017 08:51

We had a great forum trip in 2007. I would be keen to give it another go.

As for 2017 still considering it. There is a bit of luck with storm chasing that you can book into a period that will deliver an active pattern. But eyeing up May 20th start.

03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Sat 14/01/2017 08:57

2018 is a long way out but gotta plant the seed early!

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Tornado Tim · Unread post by **Tornado Tim** » Sat 14/01/2017 12:05

I would also be keen on a 2018 trip.......

Richard · Unread post by **Richard** » Sun 15/01/2017 08:28

I might consider it also, would be great going as a group.

Manukau heads obs · Sun 15/01/2017 08:52

I might consider another trip too 2018
bus load? lol

Richard · Unread post by **Richard** » Sun 15/01/2017 09:05

Make the travel costs lower

03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Sun 15/01/2017 12:08

Looking at about 12 people, so that would be three 4WD at this stage

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03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Sun 15/01/2017 12:13

Talked to Jamie about details of it. Would split the car hire between all of us, petrol be split per vehicle, accommodation likely be twin share so split between who ever you bunk down with, mobile internet be one unlimited data SIM per car using hotspot so everyone can login, I've also got a mifi device and aerial so that cover a few data dead areas, it's good to have access too different mobile internet carriers

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NZstorm · Unread post by **NZstorm** » Sun 15/01/2017 14:43

For those not familiar with USA chasing you will need roughly US$200 per day to cover food, accommodation, fuel and rental car.

03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Sun 15/01/2017 15:52

That seems high, we had 4 people in a standard 4wd, 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, 17 days doing a total of 10-11,000km for $150NZd + food a day each. That included 2x mobile data plans, Verizon and Cricket unlimited data and twin share accommodation.

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spwill · Unread post by **spwill** » Sun 15/01/2017 17:32

Yes, I reckon $150 a day is closer. Airfares + Insurance will be under $NZ 2000. We paid around $1700 each last two trips.
It will be interesting to see if the Donald Trump factor will affect world currency and we may need a visa.

NZstorm · Unread post by **NZstorm** » Mon 16/01/2017 21:10

I noticed AirNZ to Dallas for May 2017 as low as $1200 recently and today its around $1400. Denver same. So I assume similar prices will be available for 2018 season but who knows.
10 years ago we had to pay $2,200 so travel is so much cheaper these days.

tgsnoopy · Unread post by **tgsnoopy** » Tue 17/01/2017 06:32

I'm with American Airlines on the 788 (787-800) Dreamliner AKL - LAX, the return leg was around NZ$844 for this years trip. Some concern however that they may pull the route, United has just pulled their AKL -SFO. So long as their is competition we will get good fares. If Air NZ gets the monopoly again then I expect fares won't be available on special at such good pricing. Just looked and saw Air NZ with NZ$1293 Return AKL - HOU which is pretty good. Last August I flew AKL - SYD - DFW which was a killer, but the cheapest at NZ$1099.

NZstorm · Unread post by **NZstorm** » Tue 17/01/2017 07:02

The presence of American has certainly triggered the price war. Good for the consumer in the short term atleast.

03Stormchaser · Unread post by **03Stormchaser** » Tue 17/01/2017 07:59

I flew return with United for less than $900 to lax via Sydney and then Melb on way home. Wouldn't expect to get deals like this all the time though. I'm not really a big fan of AirNZ mostly there pricing and service arnt that appealing but going to US you do have limited options.

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Manukau heads obs · Thu 26/01/2017 16:39

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zea ... -new-rules

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