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There's No Place Like Nome DO: Ode to the Alaskan Midnight Sun (June 21-24, 2012)
Aug 31, 2011, 4:28 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,195
That said, it does show Wainwright, Barrow, and Kaktovik as having service provided by a partner (ASTAC...there's another FTer around here who can supply the dirty details about them
), whereas Nome appears to be served directly by AT&T-owned cell towers, so I'd be inclined to believe the coverage map a bit more. (It also says there's EDGE, which is good, although the 1s delay introduced by the satellite backhaul makes both voice and data usage extremely painful... 
)We will likely be out of cell range for ~3-4 hours during the day on Saturday, though, as we explore the area around Nome (not counting the time on a plane, too), if it's important to be available.
Just fail a few classes.
Aug 31, 2011, 1:00 pm
#47
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
8:15am: depart for Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star
Adventure Class and GoldStar Class are offered. Adventure Class is the main cabin of each car. We took this class during the second DO. Decent seating, great views out the sides of the train, access to the dining car, etc.
GoldStar Service
The Alaska Railroad builds upon its unique passenger car fleet and raises the bar of luxury rail travel with the addition of two new custom double-deck railcars.
GoldStar Service features:
■Confirmed seat in the upper-level dome car
■Complimentary coffee, soda, or tea served at your seat
■Priority seating in the lower-level dining room showcasing original Alaska artwork
■Private outdoor viewing deck - the only one of its kind
Weather permitting, GoldStar may be they way to go for the best views. Adventure Class offers the best values.
Aug 31, 2011, 3:06 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
RE Hotels. I'm open to sharing
Hope the weather is nice because I would like to be in First/Business class for part of the trip 
Last edited by CDKing; Aug 31, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Sep 1, 2011, 7:19 am
#49
Formerly known as stellertony
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MEX
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold, NEXUS, APEC
Posts: 1,146
Put me down as tentative; I have no idea yet what I'm doing next summer and unfortunately won't for some time, but if I'm around (or can be around) I'd love to jump on board for at least part of it.
Sep 1, 2011, 8:39 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
GoldStar Service features:
■Confirmed seat in the upper-level dome car
■Complimentary coffee, soda, or tea served at your seat
■Priority seating in the lower-level dining room showcasing original Alaska artwork
■Private outdoor viewing deck - the only one of its kind
Weather permitting, GoldStar may be they way to go for the best views. Adventure Class offers the best values.
■Confirmed seat in the upper-level dome car
■Complimentary coffee, soda, or tea served at your seat
■Priority seating in the lower-level dining room showcasing original Alaska artwork
■Private outdoor viewing deck - the only one of its kind
Weather permitting, GoldStar may be they way to go for the best views. Adventure Class offers the best values.
David
Sep 1, 2011, 4:13 pm
#53
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
Sep 1, 2011, 5:00 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
Put me down as a tentative, probably solo. We have a lot in the works for early to mid 2012, but if I can clear out some time, this would be an amazing trip.
Sep 1, 2011, 6:30 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
Sep 1, 2011, 6:35 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,195
I don't recall; If I recall correctly, I think we can still get the 50% off the base fare but we are still responsible for the full upcharge to GoldStar. I'll look into it. Need to make some calls...
Sep 2, 2011, 12:02 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: ORD/RSW
Programs: AA: Exec. Plat, 4MM+, UA: 1K, 3MM+, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt: Globalist, Hilton: Diamond
Posts: 232
My tentative attendance can be changed to confirmed. Had a sizeable "appreciation certificate" available on UA/CO, which brought the fare down to a "pittance", and providing me with a not-so-shabby 6,338 MP miles.
Arriving ANC at 11.25pm on June 19, leaving on Monday morning, June 25, at 0.40am.
Should give me time to attend the Sunday night BBQ.
Of course, I will also attend all other scheduled events and if a group rate becomes available for the rail dome car, I will definitely go for that.
In fact, I will probably do the dome car, group rate or not.
Cheers
Arriving ANC at 11.25pm on June 19, leaving on Monday morning, June 25, at 0.40am.
Should give me time to attend the Sunday night BBQ.
Of course, I will also attend all other scheduled events and if a group rate becomes available for the rail dome car, I will definitely go for that.
In fact, I will probably do the dome car, group rate or not.
Cheers
Sep 2, 2011, 3:51 pm
#59
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Put me + 1 as tentative for the event, already put it on my calendar and blocked it off...Looking forward to seeing some sourdoughs making a break in the bush up in Nome =D
I'm in Denali at the moment enjoying the terminating dust, Old Man Winter's a-coming soon.
I'm in Denali at the moment enjoying the terminating dust, Old Man Winter's a-coming soon.
Sep 2, 2011, 4:48 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,195
Quiet! Don't speak of such things! It was a nice, semi-sunny, 69-degree day here yesterday...Looking forward to seeing all of you guys who have indicated interest (or, even more awesomely, actually confirmed!). We may need to get some more vans...any volunteers to drive?