12th Annual Brooklyn Reality Tour (BRT) June 2, 2012
Jan 20, 2012, 9:53 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,069
12th Annual Brooklyn Reality Tour (BRT) June 2, 2012
Announcing the 12th annual dhammer53 Brooklyn Reality Tour aka BRT. 1 or 2 seats available.
Date: June 2, 2012
Time: 9:30, with pushback at 10:00.
Theme: Returning to our roots with a 25 passenger van.
Dedication: BRT 12 is dedicated to newself (Dave) who passed away last year. He rode on BRT 1.
Theme: We're going to anty up some money to the Captain Jason Dahl Foundation. http://dahlfund.org/ Details to follow.
The first 11 Brooklyn Tours were sellouts. BRT 4 - 7 I rented an airport type shuttle van. Last year we had a 50 passenger coach bus. We split the cost. This year, the cost will be about $60. per person.
Paypal details to be announced at a later date.
FYI, Catman will once again host the SoupDo on Friday night. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-1-2012-a.html
We'll have WineDo 5 on Sunday evening.
Pick up 10:00 Saturday morning in the Grand Central Terminal neighborhood. Drop-off at 10:00pm. We have a tradition of departing ontime.
Besides touring Brooklyn (my home town), we eat, and eat, and eat. Can you say 'real' Brooklyn pizza? Can you say 'delicious' bakery goodies? Just ask any of the folks who have been on this tour. We drive. We tour. We eat.
If you're new to Flyertalk, the tour is a great way to make new friends.
At the end of the BRT tours 2 - 11, we went for dinner at an authentic Italian place in an authentic Italian neighborhood. Lots of jewelry showing. This may or may not happen this year. All depends on the number of attendees.
Figure about $25- $30 a person if we do a sit down lunch or dinner. This is less than what you would pay in Manhattan; and twice the portion. The show is better than the food. If we do lunch, the cost will be $15 - $20. Details to be worked out.
Last year, the sit down was lunch. 2012 plans will depend on how many riders come along.
The lunch/dinner will be open to everyone. If you're not on the Tour, you'll have to take the subway to the restaurant. It's about 40 minutes and $2.25 one way. Several years ago, we had a few hitch-hikers on the van back to Manhattan.
Start planning now. Springtime in New York is beautiful. Consider yourself invited.
If you've been on the tour before and want to go again, please sign up, and consider yourself waitlisted. If you're from New York, you're waitlisted too. Thinking about bringing a friend or relative? They have no status; so we'll have to wait and see if they clear the DM list. All of the above lists will clear by May 15. Don't wait to decide.
Past tour highlights include:
2001...poor AnnaS having a cold.
2002...Lisamcgu making us stop for White castle hamburgers.
2003...mjm insisting on a Starbucks break. After I stopped laughing at him for thinking that Brooklyn would even have a Starbucks... we found one.
2004...gorging on food at marysunshine's house...and this was a snack!
2005...cawhite knocking on the door of my childhood home; while I ducked for cover. It was a priceless moment. Details towards the last page of the 2005 thread. Also, a Tony Soprano type sitting at the bar added some extra flavor to our experience.
2006...Our van squeezing past a doubleparked car on a side street. You can just imagine the typical Brooklyn swearing. Also, the tour getting its 15 minutes of fame on Cable television News 12 Brooklyn. Check it out http://news12.com/BK/topstories/article?id=175940# use name: dhammer53ft, password: flyertalk (may not work).
2007... When cawhites 'friend' Larry (the guy who always sits at the bar), checked us out!
2008... "I had no intention of stopping at my childhood home. As we approached, I told the driver to slow down, then stop. Seems the front door was wide open. I took this as a sign from above. I stopped the bus.
A couple of years back, cawhite knocked on the door. I ducked for cover. This year I was apprehensive as I approached. When I told the woman that she bought the house from my Mom, she said in typical Brooklyn fashion whats her name? When I responded, she had a big smile for me.
This may have been the moment on BRT 8. Every year, there's always one moment that's noteworthy".
2009... We were filmed throughout the day for a documentary. Maybe it'll even come out one of these days.
2011... the bus went MX (mechanical). 90 minute delay.
Note:
We rotate seats on the bus. Seat 1A is reserved for a couple of long time attendees (yes, that means you).
We make plenty of stops.
No talking miles and points when I'm (ahem) lecturing on Brooklyn.
It takes a certain type of person to put up with other Flyertalkers for an entire day. If you're looking for an excuse to visit NY (Brooklyn) in June, the dhammer53 Brooklyn Reality Tour is it.
Please post below if you're interested. I've met a few of you along the road this past year and you have 'dibs' if you're interested in joining us for a fun day in Brooklyn.
If you're interested in coming along, I need you to pm me your:
-Handle and real name.
-Hotel you're staying at, when available.
-Cell #
The 2007 thread here... http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...light=brooklyn
2008 Trip Report here... http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=839107
2009 thread ... 9th annual Brooklyn Reality Tour. June 13, 2009 Saturday
2010 thread 10th Annual Brooklyn Reality Tour. Saturday June 12, 2010 Post 346 has a brief report.
Photos in 317 by tom911.
Note to new riders... I would suggest reading the 2011 thread to get a peak at what you can expect. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-saturday.html
Date: June 2, 2012
Time: 9:30, with pushback at 10:00.
Theme: Returning to our roots with a 25 passenger van.
Dedication: BRT 12 is dedicated to newself (Dave) who passed away last year. He rode on BRT 1.
Theme: We're going to anty up some money to the Captain Jason Dahl Foundation. http://dahlfund.org/ Details to follow.
The first 11 Brooklyn Tours were sellouts. BRT 4 - 7 I rented an airport type shuttle van. Last year we had a 50 passenger coach bus. We split the cost. This year, the cost will be about $60. per person.
Paypal details to be announced at a later date.
FYI, Catman will once again host the SoupDo on Friday night. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-1-2012-a.html
We'll have WineDo 5 on Sunday evening.
Pick up 10:00 Saturday morning in the Grand Central Terminal neighborhood. Drop-off at 10:00pm. We have a tradition of departing ontime.
Besides touring Brooklyn (my home town), we eat, and eat, and eat. Can you say 'real' Brooklyn pizza? Can you say 'delicious' bakery goodies? Just ask any of the folks who have been on this tour. We drive. We tour. We eat.
If you're new to Flyertalk, the tour is a great way to make new friends.
At the end of the BRT tours 2 - 11, we went for dinner at an authentic Italian place in an authentic Italian neighborhood. Lots of jewelry showing. This may or may not happen this year. All depends on the number of attendees.
Figure about $25- $30 a person if we do a sit down lunch or dinner. This is less than what you would pay in Manhattan; and twice the portion. The show is better than the food. If we do lunch, the cost will be $15 - $20. Details to be worked out.
Last year, the sit down was lunch. 2012 plans will depend on how many riders come along.
The lunch/dinner will be open to everyone. If you're not on the Tour, you'll have to take the subway to the restaurant. It's about 40 minutes and $2.25 one way. Several years ago, we had a few hitch-hikers on the van back to Manhattan.
Start planning now. Springtime in New York is beautiful. Consider yourself invited.
If you've been on the tour before and want to go again, please sign up, and consider yourself waitlisted. If you're from New York, you're waitlisted too. Thinking about bringing a friend or relative? They have no status; so we'll have to wait and see if they clear the DM list. All of the above lists will clear by May 15. Don't wait to decide.
Past tour highlights include:
2001...poor AnnaS having a cold.
2002...Lisamcgu making us stop for White castle hamburgers.
2003...mjm insisting on a Starbucks break. After I stopped laughing at him for thinking that Brooklyn would even have a Starbucks... we found one.
2004...gorging on food at marysunshine's house...and this was a snack!
2005...cawhite knocking on the door of my childhood home; while I ducked for cover. It was a priceless moment. Details towards the last page of the 2005 thread. Also, a Tony Soprano type sitting at the bar added some extra flavor to our experience.
2006...Our van squeezing past a doubleparked car on a side street. You can just imagine the typical Brooklyn swearing. Also, the tour getting its 15 minutes of fame on Cable television News 12 Brooklyn. Check it out http://news12.com/BK/topstories/article?id=175940# use name: dhammer53ft, password: flyertalk (may not work).
2007... When cawhites 'friend' Larry (the guy who always sits at the bar), checked us out!
2008... "I had no intention of stopping at my childhood home. As we approached, I told the driver to slow down, then stop. Seems the front door was wide open. I took this as a sign from above. I stopped the bus.
A couple of years back, cawhite knocked on the door. I ducked for cover. This year I was apprehensive as I approached. When I told the woman that she bought the house from my Mom, she said in typical Brooklyn fashion whats her name? When I responded, she had a big smile for me.
This may have been the moment on BRT 8. Every year, there's always one moment that's noteworthy".
2009... We were filmed throughout the day for a documentary. Maybe it'll even come out one of these days.
2011... the bus went MX (mechanical). 90 minute delay.
Note:
We rotate seats on the bus. Seat 1A is reserved for a couple of long time attendees (yes, that means you).
We make plenty of stops.
No talking miles and points when I'm (ahem) lecturing on Brooklyn.
It takes a certain type of person to put up with other Flyertalkers for an entire day. If you're looking for an excuse to visit NY (Brooklyn) in June, the dhammer53 Brooklyn Reality Tour is it.
Please post below if you're interested. I've met a few of you along the road this past year and you have 'dibs' if you're interested in joining us for a fun day in Brooklyn.
If you're interested in coming along, I need you to pm me your:
-Handle and real name.
-Hotel you're staying at, when available.
-Cell #
The 2007 thread here... http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...light=brooklyn
2008 Trip Report here... http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=839107
2009 thread ... 9th annual Brooklyn Reality Tour. June 13, 2009 Saturday
2010 thread 10th Annual Brooklyn Reality Tour. Saturday June 12, 2010 Post 346 has a brief report.
Photos in 317 by tom911.
Note to new riders... I would suggest reading the 2011 thread to get a peak at what you can expect. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-saturday.html
Last edited by dhammer53; Jun 3, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Jan 20, 2012, 9:55 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,069
Pick up location
Departure at 10:00am from the Grand Central Terminal area. Please arrive between 9:30 - 9:45.
234 East 46 street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.
===============================================
If you're running late, here's directions to our first stop in Brooklyn. Here's the information now, just in case.
Take the #2 or the #3 train to Clark Street. This is the 7th Ave/Broadway train. It's the first stop in Brooklyn.
When you exit, ask anyone where the Promenade is. It's ~ 7 minute walk.
You can also take the #4 or #5 train (runs under Lexington Ave on the east side) to Borough Hall. That's the first stop in Brooklyn. Ask anyone where the Promenade is.
Departure at 10:00am from the Grand Central Terminal area. Please arrive between 9:30 - 9:45.
234 East 46 street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.
===============================================
If you're running late, here's directions to our first stop in Brooklyn. Here's the information now, just in case.
Take the #2 or the #3 train to Clark Street. This is the 7th Ave/Broadway train. It's the first stop in Brooklyn.
When you exit, ask anyone where the Promenade is. It's ~ 7 minute walk.
You can also take the #4 or #5 train (runs under Lexington Ave on the east side) to Borough Hall. That's the first stop in Brooklyn. Ask anyone where the Promenade is.
Last edited by dhammer53; Jan 20, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Jan 20, 2012, 9:56 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,069
FYI, if you're interested in attending WineDo 5, here's the thread... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...l#post17975682
So far: I lost count. Seats available.
cawhite - can't make it.
YEGcited
dhammer53 F/M
iluv2fly F
FortFun F
magic111 Rest in peace my friend.
gipsss F
KathyWdrf F
CDKing F
canucklehead M - has to back out.
roadwarrior365 M
JosephMay +1 M
CMK10 F
SFOTerry F
SFOMo F
JohnnieD MP
Robin MP
62asr FT =1 not paid
ande777emt F <<< missing in action
pfbloom F
dailycavalier
superdrew + 1 can't make it.
Owlchick <<< can't make it.
RapidTravelChai
jackal
freqflyercoll <<< can't make it
jetsetboy M
JanR
Waitlist
F - Flyertalk
M - Milepoint
Bolding - paid
So far: I lost count. Seats available.
cawhite - can't make it.
YEGcited
dhammer53 F/M
iluv2fly F
FortFun F
magic111 Rest in peace my friend.
gipsss F
KathyWdrf F
CDKing F
canucklehead M - has to back out.
roadwarrior365 M
JosephMay +1 M
CMK10 F
SFOTerry F
SFOMo F
JohnnieD MP
Robin MP
62asr FT =1 not paid
ande777emt F <<< missing in action
pfbloom F
dailycavalier
superdrew + 1 can't make it.
Owlchick <<< can't make it.
RapidTravelChai
jackal
freqflyercoll <<< can't make it
jetsetboy M
JanR
Waitlist
F - Flyertalk
M - Milepoint
Bolding - paid
Last edited by dhammer53; Jun 1, 2012 at 9:10 pm Reason: gipsss can make it.
^
Jan 21, 2012, 2:30 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
I can't possibly miss this, either!!! 
Jan 21, 2012, 11:30 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,271
Hi Dan,
Please put me on the "return guest/NYC" wait list - I'd love to come again, but it's more important that there is enough room for the BRT virgins...
Please put me on the "return guest/NYC" wait list - I'd love to come again, but it's more important that there is enough room for the BRT virgins...
Jan 21, 2012, 5:41 pm
#13
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
As the illustrious Dan personally Facebooked me to tell me to sign up, I'm doing so and with all due speed! I can't wait for this and to have as much or more fun as last year! With fewer breakdowns but just as much pastry/Italian food/hot dogs consumed.