FFG/UA July 2015 SEA mini-DO with Boeing
Jun 4, 2015, 6:22 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
First, the Renton Factory doesn't offer public tours (only private VIP). The Everett Factory has public tours, and there is likely not much difference between a public and private VIP tour other than the logistics. Public tours require that you queue up, watch movie, then board Boeing buses from the guest center. On return the buses drop you off in the Boeing Store and you have to walk through it to exit.
That said, both tours are very interesting if you are an airline geek. I have done the Everett Tour 3 times and did the Renton VIP tour on a MegaDo. Both are worth repeating multiple times say every 5 years. The Renton tour is particularly interesting in the way they try to increase production in a very small space.
The schedule looks pretty tight so I would only see tours for 1.5 hours at each site.
9:15 to 10am - Bus to Everett
10 - 11:30am - Everett Tour (748, 777, 787)
11:30 - 12p - Boeing Store
12p - 1pm Bus to Renton
1 - 2:30 - Renton Tour (737)
2:30 - 3:15 Bus to Marriott
+/- 15 minutes
So I would not expect a real comprehensive set of tours.
The Air & Space museum is very interesting as well. Fewer aircraft than the A&S at Dulles Airport, but I like the Seattle one better since you can board Concorde and 747 s/n 1. I have been to the Seattle A&S multiple times, including a VIP at a MegaDo and a Freddie's Award was hosted there. But still worth follow up visits. There is a lot to see.
It looks like an informative, fun event, for a good cause. Unless you are coming from the West Coast, the negative is - this is a summer weekend and flights to SEA are very high due to all the Alaska cruises and other tourism. From East Coast Coach is $1K, and F is $2-3K.
That said, both tours are very interesting if you are an airline geek. I have done the Everett Tour 3 times and did the Renton VIP tour on a MegaDo. Both are worth repeating multiple times say every 5 years. The Renton tour is particularly interesting in the way they try to increase production in a very small space.
The schedule looks pretty tight so I would only see tours for 1.5 hours at each site.
9:15 to 10am - Bus to Everett
10 - 11:30am - Everett Tour (748, 777, 787)
11:30 - 12p - Boeing Store
12p - 1pm Bus to Renton
1 - 2:30 - Renton Tour (737)
2:30 - 3:15 Bus to Marriott
+/- 15 minutes
So I would not expect a real comprehensive set of tours.
The Air & Space museum is very interesting as well. Fewer aircraft than the A&S at Dulles Airport, but I like the Seattle one better since you can board Concorde and 747 s/n 1. I have been to the Seattle A&S multiple times, including a VIP at a MegaDo and a Freddie's Award was hosted there. But still worth follow up visits. There is a lot to see.
It looks like an informative, fun event, for a good cause. Unless you are coming from the West Coast, the negative is - this is a summer weekend and flights to SEA are very high due to all the Alaska cruises and other tourism. From East Coast Coach is $1K, and F is $2-3K.
Jun 4, 2015, 9:16 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
Not just airfares; Seattle area hotels are super expensive. The Marriott SEA airport is over $200 that weekend.
Jun 4, 2015, 10:00 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,812
I would suggest that anyone coming in from anywhere other than the west coast show up for more than just the event as there is plenty to do in Seattle. Hopefully that makes the cost of the flight more worth it. There are other hotels in the area that are less than $200.
Not to make this more than it is, but having done both the public and the private tour at Everett, I do feel like the VIP tour gives you significantly more time on the floor in areas the public tour doesn't take you to. You also get more knowledgeable guides, as many of them tend to run specific aspects of a particular program or are executives.
Not to make this more than it is, but having done both the public and the private tour at Everett, I do feel like the VIP tour gives you significantly more time on the floor in areas the public tour doesn't take you to. You also get more knowledgeable guides, as many of them tend to run specific aspects of a particular program or are executives.
Jun 5, 2015, 8:02 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Not to make this more than it is, but having done both the public and the private tour at Everett, I do feel like the VIP tour gives you significantly more time on the floor in areas the public tour doesn't take you to. You also get more knowledgeable guides, as many of them tend to run specific aspects of a particular program or are executives.
Although, maybe the organizers have a private event with UA on Friday night??
Jun 5, 2015, 8:16 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
AA is around $800/$1600
UA is around $800/$1237
Yes UA Y/F is $716/$1067 (now) - 8am departure time out but redeye back.
Good old TODs kicking in there.
Jun 5, 2015, 8:19 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,812
Added you to the interested list. Hope you can make it!
We don't have the budget for a Friday evening event, and neither is anyone able to arrive early enough for that to happen. Event schedule is set in stone at this point, but I'm optimistic we'll be able to fill up most of the spots.
I would suggest that if there was an event on Friday evening, it would make the weekend more appealing. Like a group dinner or Friday or cocktail party say at the Marriott. This has been done in the past for similar events like this - say when hosted at EWR, etc.
Although, maybe the organizers have a private event with UA on Friday night??
Although, maybe the organizers have a private event with UA on Friday night??
Last edited by JC1120; Jun 5, 2015 at 8:28 am
Jun 6, 2015, 2:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
I did the Everett VIP tour a couple years ago. It would be great to do again, with other FTers! Count me interested, but I don't now know if I'm going to have to be in some other part of the world that weekend.
interested->paid
interested->paid
Last edited by PVDProf; Jun 18, 2015 at 10:20 am
Jun 9, 2015, 6:28 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I have two hotel options booked - at airport or downtown. Arriving around 4pm on Friday. If I stay at airport, then I will likely go over and spend the evening at the airport in UA Club and AS Lounge in the 7 to 10pm range.
Will get UA Club gate pass. If others are interested - please post. Some might stop in the lounge upon a later arrival. The Marriott bar is expensive and you can walk from hotel to the airport (one block down the hill, then up the light rail elevator and across the bridge to the airport parking lot and gates.)
Will get UA Club gate pass. If others are interested - please post. Some might stop in the lounge upon a later arrival. The Marriott bar is expensive and you can walk from hotel to the airport (one block down the hill, then up the light rail elevator and across the bridge to the airport parking lot and gates.)
Jun 10, 2015, 1:18 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: EWR
Posts: 2,112
Still wavering-parking at the airport or the hotel requires $, and I need to allow up 2 hours to get to the Marriott SEA if I take public transit. Anyone attending from North Seattle and possible looking to carpool/whatever?
Jun 10, 2015, 4:31 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,812
Boeing has clarified that BOTH location visits will be from the factory floor! They also wanted us to remind people that the public tour at Everett is from the stands only, and Renton does NOT offer a public tour, so this will be a very rare opportunity for everyone involved.
Jun 10, 2015, 7:22 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,426
That is correct - and a requirement of Boeing. Cameras are n
t allowed. At some events Boeing takes pictures of the group and provides them later. We don't know yet whether that is going to happen for this event.
t allowed. At some events Boeing takes pictures of the group and provides them later. We don't know yet whether that is going to happen for this event.