Folks, let me know if the following list is accurate as of now:

2 PM, Air and Space Museum:
Definite
GrizShel
CaveatEmpty + 1
humanoid94
NW scoop + 1
thezipper
ed1
lawchild
ifette
DanTravels +4
SchmutzigMSP
bhatnasx
mot29

Probable
Pranu
cordileran
usa18dca
El Boocho

Possible
fti
hoosiereph
Global_Hi_Flyer

6:00 PM to ???, Drinks and Dinner
Definite
GrizShel
CaveatEmpty + 1
humanoid94
thezipper
ed1
lawchild
ifette
SchmutzigMSP
bhatnasx
mot29

Probable
Pranu
cordileran
usa18dca

Possible
fti
hoosiereph
Global_Hi_Flyer
El Boocho

By the way, if I google now "Brickskeller lovethebeer" - guess what comes up second? :D

I'll be there for the Brickskeller - though it isn't my favorite place, I will suck it up for the good of FlyerTalk!.

I may be +2 for the Air & Space, but not sure yet...

If I get out of MSP okay on Friday (its a *gasp* sun country ticket), I'll join you for dinner

I never really understood Sun Country... does anyone other than MSP-based people fly them? It just doesn't seem like they would be able to bring in enough pax... oh well. I hope your flight gets out OK, and don't feel bad, I'm flying Continental :rolleyes:

I'm not MSP based, but I agree I wouldn't expect MSP to necessarily be able to support the schedule of an LCC in the manner they are with these guys.

Well lets hope that this experience is a much better one (or at least good company can make it one)! I realized with my time running out on Friday and getting a better picture of the difficulty of making reservations for a group our size - especially with competition from the Caps crowds, we needed to get something set. Hopefully Diane will see that we are well taken care of!

Regarding whether to take an Organized Tour

As far as I know, the free docent tour will be at 1 PM on Saturday. If interested, you could attend that before our group meets.

I never received any positive or negative responses on whether to organized a group tour for us, so I did not vigorously pursue that (or even non-vigorously ;) ). I went ahead though and submitted an application today. It may be rejected as they want 2 weeks notice, and even if accepted, it would be whatever time they have a guide available, but I told them our schedule, so we'll see. If you hate the idea of a tour I suppose we could always cancel. ;)

Of course, some of our group members may be very knowledgable and I'm sure we'll learn a lot in any case, formal tour or not.

Update: First request rejected, because of lack of 2 weeks notice, giving it one more shot. They did confirm that a public tour should be available at 1 PM on Saturday, Dec. 8.

Going to throw this out, and see if there is interest (or not).

For more info on the IMAX films at Air and Space, see:
http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/theaters/mall/films.cfm

Fighter Pilot 12:00PM
Space Station 3D 12:55PM
To Fly! 1:50PM
Adrenaline Rush 2:25PM
Space Station 3D 3:10PM
Fighter Pilot 4:05PM
Space Station 3D 5:00PM

These all last about 40-45 minutes, cost anywhere from $5 to $8.50 depending on whether you are a member of the Smithsonian or eligible for other discounts.

If for example, a number of us would like to see "Fighter Pilot" at 4:05 PM, I'd be willing to join a group. I think the timing is the best for this show for our group. I can get member discounts on the tickets (not sure if there is a limit on how many one member can purchase. Walk-up reservations are sometimes not available, so early planning is a plus. If we have at least 10 Definites, I can fax in (and Prepay!) for Group tickets. Or we can take our chances and try to get them at 2 PM.

Griz, would you mind adding another heading in your tracking post to track people wanting to go to the 4:10 IMAX?

Put me down as definite.

You can count me as in for both the IMAX and the tour, if they happen.

FYI, retired Washington Post restaurant critic Phyllis Richman thought the Brickskeller made the best hamburger in Washington, D.C.

I'm due to land at DCA 12:18pm Saturday barring any delays from CO and going through EWR. If I'm cutting it close, does anyone have any bag storage recommendations if I have to go straight to NASM from DCA?

Assuming you are traveling lite, I believe you can get away with checking a bag with the guards at the museum entrance if all else fails. I've checked a backpack (that was pretty close to the size of the carry-on limits) before. Hopefully someone is driving there or staying at a hotel close enough that you'd have an option to leave it there.

Will do, probably tonight. As explained, the tour may or may not happen, but i can still make a list.

We can probably do the IMAX, unless we wait too long and it sells out (probably less likely in early Dec., but OTOH, Saturday afternoon is a popular time. My best guess if we buy the tickets a couple of days in advance they will likely still be available, maybe 60-70% chance they'll still be available at 2 PM on Saturday (just a guess, based on past experience).

Seating is non-reserved (you line up before showtime), so you could buy tickets online on your own first, but keep in mind you'll then pay $10 per adult (includes a $1.50 service charge), plus a $2 order processing fee.

Tour update:

Got a person at Smithsonian trying to find someone to give us a group tour Saturday, chances are not great, but they are trying. If they come through, I'll add it to the official agenda.