I agree, thanks Burj for putting this all together!

That's true, they'll be real busy. I guess we shouldn't expect too much from them in regards to us other than a quick thanks and maybe some Q&A and/or HOOU vouchers

8 days away!!

-J.

After doing quite a bit of research I've found the best place to get lunch is:

Ben's Best Gourmet Delicatessen

There were A LOT of issues involved in finding a lunch place.

The BIGGEST hurdle is distance! There are A LOT of places near LGA that are a 10-15 car ride away...HOWEVER with a group our size we need a place that allows for EASY public transit to/from LGA and places that are 10 minutes by car ended up being 45 minutes by bus. Some places even required changing buses or LONG walks.

Ben's Best is about 35 minutes away from LGA via the Q72 bus and is very close to the bus stop.

I've been in contact with the management there and they are happy accommodate a large group and to allow each person to pay for themselves individually.

The NY kosher Deli is really a unique experience and the food they serve is not something that you can get easily anywhere outside of NYC!

As stated on their website...last year:

Guy Fieri and his team from the Food Network Show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives recently came to Ben's Best Deli to interview owner, Jay Parker and a few customers.

Here is the link to the tv show segment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byEyX0DpafE

So as you can see this should be a pretty unique to NYC experience!

Tentatively we will plan to meet there at 1:30 pm and then take the 3 pm bus back to LGA which will get there around 3:30 pm, which gives enough time to get to our meeting with Delta officials at 4 pm. While we are there people can take turns signing the banner.

Please see the next post for important participation information!

It is extremely important that we get an accurate head count including who is going to lunch and who is going to the Delta meeting.

Pleaes PM ITanNicNic with the following information:

1) Are you attending the lunch?
2) If you are attending the lunch, will you meet us at Ben's Best or will you be at LGA? (A group of use will be at LGA and will be catching the 12:36 pm Q72 bus from LGA to Ben's Best. It will be good to know how big this group will be.)
3) Will you be attending the 4 pm meeting with Delta officials?

After the meeting with Delta a group of us will most likely head to the Marine Air terminal and then to Plainview Park, but people are free to come and go to those events when it suits them so we don't need a strict attendee list for that.

I've been following this thread as I live in NYC fairly close to LGA but wasn't sure if I'd want to go to a DO (I still don't know what it stands for though I'm sure I'll kick myself when I find out). As a matter of fact I'm a 10 minute walk from Ben's (though I haven't been there in years). The Q72 is easy to catch at LGA and the last stop is across the street from Bens, though that street is Queens Boulevard (any Entourage fans?) aka the Boulevard of Death, a 12 lane "road" with 3 islands. I don't mean to scare anyone off, it's been a few years since someone was killed there.

I wondering about that! I looked up the place on google maps with satellite view as part of the research and I was like WOAH...just how WIDE is that road!

Maybe you can meet the bus and help guide us across!

As for "DO" my understanding is that is derived from the express "to-do" as in..."They are making their sons graduation from kindergarten a big to-do!"

The bus fare is 2.25USD, payable in coin or by metrocard (no paper bills ) Does anybody know if they've put a metrocard dispenser in Term D yet? Last I heard, the newsstand in Term D sold pre-pack 20USD metrocards (with bonus amount built in) but I have not confirmed any of this. Any other locals know?

The cash value metrocard can be handed off from person to person as you board the bus until the value falls below 2.25. (Somebody has to do the math.)

Once at the deli, going back to LGA by bus is easy because the nearby subway station will have the card dispenser.

PS Rumor has it, somebody is going to attempt crossing Queens Blvd on foot? I'll have video camera ready - I've never seen that done before.

At least on the way from LGA to Ben's it may be time-wise better to have each 4 take a cab. It would work about 3-4 each given the distance from the terminal, tip included. But, that can be solved on the fly

PS- for those on the flight in from BUF, I added myself last night to the UG list. So, if indeed I have to work this weekend, I will finish my tour in BUF to join the party

AND... I got an UG on all but the last segment (the flight BUF-LGA). It would be an interesting upgrade list there... probably the longest I've seen outside of DCA-LGA or DCA-ATL flights.

I don't remember if there's a Metrocard machine in the Delta terminal... I think there might be (across from the center baggage carousel) but don't blame me if it doesn't exist. The buses do take coins (dollar coins/quarters/dimes/nickels) but they *don't* give change and don't take bills.

That honestly might not be a bad idea, it will definitely be much faster and the cabs don't charge per passenger, just per trip.

By the way, since I'm driving to Ben's anyway, LGA isn't that far from me... I can take 3 (4 if you squeeze 3 people in the back) if anyone wants a lift. Let me know and I'll go there instead of straight to Ben's.

I live two blocks from where Queens Blvd. intersects Yellowstone Blvd. (and Jewel Ave. begins), and that used to be billed as the most dangerous intersection in the country It's really not that bad anymore though. It'll be fun to watch all y'all try and cross near 63rd Drive though

-J.

KGB Deal for Ben's!! Save 52%, get a $25 coupon for $12. I just got one, you can get one here: http://bit.ly/wirHVj

(That's the link I got after purchasing, when it says to share the coupon and I earn points or something, who knows... here's the original link to the deal page if that makes a difference.)

Since they are for $25, maybe if we sort of split into pairs and one person in each pair got one of these, we could save a boatload of money this way. Jump on this though, looks like the deal ends at 5am tomorrow. Can't believe I didn't see it until just now.

-J.

I was waiting to get headcount and then was going to suggest people bring the appropriate change with them.... Depending on if I have time I was also going to bring some rolls of quarters....

How do most people cross, is there a tunnel or pedestrian bridge? We could make that a FlyerTalk contest...crossing the Queens Blvd while pulling a rollaboard!

Agreed....I was thinking that...but again was waiting to see just how many of us will be at LGA in the morning...I know there are the three of us coming from BUF and one person coming from GSO.

Great! When we have the numbers better figured out we'll see if that makes sense!

According to this link:

http://www.newyorkology.com/archives...rdia_airpo.php

May 20, 2009

LaGuardia Airport gets its own MetroCard machines

One of the cheapest ways to get from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan just got a little easier now that MetroCard machines have been installed at the airport.

�The machines are located on the lower level inside of the Central Terminal Building, near the bus stop for MTA New York City Transit�s M60, Q33, and Q72 bus routes,� according to the most recent newsletter from the Port Authority of NY and NJ, which manages the NYC-area airports.

Several retailers in LaGuardia�s passenger terminals also sell prepackaged MetroCards, which are used on MTA buses and subways.

Without a MetroCard, riders must pay the $2 fare in coins. (No pennies, paper money - and no change is given.) And of course, the $2 bus fare rises to $2.25 as of June 28.

The Port Authority website lists the ground transportation options from LaGuardia, including the popular M60 bus, which stops at Columbia University, map.

The islands are there because it can take 2 lights to cross but I cross it every day so I'm used to it. Just have to keep in mind that it's a short green light.

[QUOTE=Burj;18226391]

As for "DO" my understanding is that is derived from the express "to-do" as in..."They are making their sons graduation from kindergarten a big to-do!"[/QUOTE]

Sorry, But "to-do" and DO have nothing to do with each other... The first get together was organized by "Catman" and as a play on words it was "Catman DO" or DO for short.

Alright I go away for the weekend and come back to great news! Can't wait for lunch and for the banner presentation. My flight back home is out of JFK at 6:50 PM so I can stay for the presentation and then hop a cab to JFK...should be a great time! I'll send a PM giving my confirmation for lunch, looks like a great spot too.

Oh and I purchased a 30 day Skyclub pass so I'm happy to guest someone in at LGA when we arrive!

WOW! Learn something new everyday! So when was this first "Catman DO"?