I'd like to avoid paying for a cab for this 70-mile trip. Can any of you PIT flyers recommend some alternatives? Thanks.

It is a nice 1.5 hr drive except in the winter and I know people who bus it. A few years ago some turbo-props did the trip too.

MisterNice

There is turboprop service still. It used to be relatively cheap (under $100 roundtrip) but as I checked today the cheapest fare is nearly $250. Ugh. If you haven't bought your ticket yet, you could always see if USAirways offers it as a cheap-add-on to another fare. Of course, then you'd have to give up United for a flight, which I can understand may be difficult

I would recommend a car unless you really don't like driving. I've never driven to Johnstown but you should be able to take major roads almost the whole way. If your conference isn't too long this will definitely be cheaper than limo service and you'll be able to get around Johnstown.

I've never taken any of the limo services so unfortunately I can't recommend any of them. If you haven't seen it, I found an unoffical website: http://www.johnstownpa.com/

Good luck and let me know if you plan to spend any extra time in the area and I'd be happy to recommend other things to do.

BTW, I think the cheapest way would be to take the 28X bus downtown ($2 something each way) and from there take a Greyhound bus to Johnstown/Altoona and take a taxi from there.


[This message has been edited by pitflyer (edited 06-05-2001).]

Thanks for the info Mr. N, pitflyer.

I should have mentioned that I'd already bought my ticket on UA as US does not serve PDX.

I checked into renting a car but it's durned near just as expensive as the US puddle jumper PIT-JST. Plus, I'd only need it one way as there will be shuttle service for the rest of the conference.

Other than the Wednesday of my 10 days in JST, my schedule is jammed packed with philosophy lectures during the day, frisbee playing before dinner and partying til ... whenever. I am looking forward to checking out Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater which is nearby I'm told.

My flight leaves PIT around 5:30 on 7/7 if you're around, pitflyer. You too, Mr. Nice! Who knows, if the merger ever goes through and US comes back to PDX, you guys might just convince me to jump ship.


[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-05-2001).]

Well, somewhat nearby, since the home is located about 2 hours from Pittsburgh, PA on Route 381, approximately 4 miles south of Mill Run.

Unless you are headed up to the other town of Johnston near State College, PA, Johnstown is nearly two hours (about 60-70 miles) east of Pittsburgh!

Should you want to tour it, in any case call ahead and reserve!

I would think someone would offer one-way rentals between PIT and JST -- probably Hertz.. As per US not serving PDX that's a sore spot to many of US fliers, including me. One city I'd like to visit but haven't yet, primarily due to no US service. One of the few and between highlights of the merger would be non-stop service PIT-PDX on the new UA.

As doc mentioned both JST and Fallingwater are East of Pittsburgh, but JST is northeast while Fallingwater is southeast. I'll be in PIT July 7 so if you have a long layover/wait at the airport, let me know.

I hadn't considered a one-way rental, pitflyer. Great idea! I'll check into it.

Would love to have some company while I cool my heels at PIT. I've heard it's a terrific airport.

DING, lightbulb went off. Another thought for you since you just said itsa one way trip. Both Pittsburgh and Johnstown are on the main tracks of the old Pennsylvania Railroad, now part of the Amtrak system. PIT has a shuttle service to the downtown hotels and the train station, and I have often used taxis after arriving in the Johnstown train station. You can often very nice "negotiate" very nice fares especially out of the city, for unfortunately Johnstown is nearly an economic disaster area because of the demise of the steel and coal industries.

I did it last year for around 12 -13 dollas with my AAA card (hey this is Appalachia, remember) and it took about 1.5 hr through some wonderful wooded hill country.

Check www.amtrak.com for schedules and prices. Good luck!

MisterNice

[This message has been edited by MisterNice (edited 06-06-2001).]

It's been a while but I've had good luck with relatively low rates (e.g., $50 for Boston to New York state) on one-way rentals from National that were not matched by Hertz/Avis.

MagMile, Thanks for the input. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for me to break in my new Emerald Aisle card. But if it doesn't work out, I like my chances with Amtrack. Thanks again, Mr. Nice.

I fly from PIT to Johnstown every few days and have lived in the J-town area all my life. The PIT airport is about 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive to Johnstown. It is often difficult to rent cars going in that direction. You can rent from Enterprise or Budget, which both have returns in Johnstown. The drive is relatively easy, although it is not a 4 lane the entire way. You take 279 south to 376 east to 22 east and you'll see the exit for johnstown off of 22.

The flight from PIT to JST is only about a half hour--just up and down--but prices are high right now. Too bad you can't fly US Airways the entire way b/c when you purchase the ticket thru PIT to JST, it only amounts to about $50 for the extra leg.

Also, Falling Water is a couple of hours southwest of Johnstown and State College (go PSU!!) is an 1 1/2.

Hope this helps. I make that trip quite often though.

I am grateful for all the information everyone has posted. I've been passing along your suggestions to the other conference attendees (about 275 of us). I thank you and they thank you.

[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 06-06-2001).]

sxj,

when are you arriving? i see you're flying out on the 7th (maybe we can all meet up at PIT?). if you're arriving on the previous weekend i'll be driving from near PIT to Penn state, which involves driving past JST so if you need a ride maybe we can try and coordinate it???

let me know the dates and if you cant find any other options you can email me direct since i wont be checking the board for a few days.

Indogulf, I arrive in PIT on the 28th. Sounds like we'll miss by a couple of days.

OTOH, I can definitely plan on being back at PIT on the 7th at anytime. My flight leaves at 5:30 p.m. but I have all day to mosey from JST to the airport. I'll post a note on FT community at we'll take it from the top!

The Amtrak solution would probably be the nicest if you can't get a good rate on a one-way rental. I've taken Amtrak from PIT-Penn Station and its always been a very comfortable ride, and if you've never ridden the trains before a whole different experience from planes. I'm not sure if Johnstown is before or after all the beautiful scenery on Amtrak's route through PA... but it should be nice, if you have that sort of time and the train schedules work out. I'd give yourself two hours from arrival at PIT to get to the train to be safe; it's about 30 minutes to get downtown from the airport via bus, assuming you don't have to wait long for a bus.

We can either meet at the airport on the 7th or meet nearby at a place like Quaker Steak and Lube -- a good local chain....