I have a couple of fairs this fall in the DC area on consecutive weekends. Instead of driving 5 hours each way for times, I am considering parking my van (loaded with my setup, minus my art) at the airport and flying home for the intervening M - th. Has anyone done this? any suggestions of where it is safest (and cheapest) to park? Am I crazy to even consider doing this?
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Thank you all for your suggestions. Something about driving back over those mountains after taking down my display....If my husband is able to help me, we will probably do the drive.
Hi Leslie,
I was going to post the other day when I first saw your thread. DC is really only four hours depending on the time of day you drive. It's only about 245 miles. And the Pittsburgh airport is on the other side of the city from where you live. I've done the same as you have and always driven home from shows. By the time you get to the airport Sunday, you can be a significant way home. You'll be home before midnight and your vehicle and display will be a lot safer in your driveway for the next four days.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
I did this for the week between Ft Worth and Cottonwood. Flew back to Atlanta. But for a 5 hour trip, I probably would just enjoy the drive. I Left van at The Parking Spot near the airport in covered parking (With art). Worked like a charm, only about $10 a day, and you get a ride to the airport. I imagine it's pretty safe. This plus air fair was a little less costly than gas plus hotel for 2 nights, saved wear and tear on the van, and saved a ton of time and wear and tear on me. Then there's the sticky buns! It was a no brainer.
You may find that it's not cost-effective to park and fly for a five hour trip each way. By the time you park, go through security, fly home, and drive to your house, you may use up most of that five hours. For me, it's a five and half hour drive to Chicago, and close to that to fly, because our home airport is an hour from the house. Safer to bring the vehicle home. On longer trips, of more than a day each way, the equation gets easier to figure.
Some airports are fine, others not so fine. I've left a trailer at Dallas / Fort Worth before, in the long term lots; also at Ft Lauderdale a few times.
Look for or ask about "park n'fly" deals at hotels. Like Dave says, you can sometimes leave a trailer there for a few days. Make sure you check the area and the demographics first, however. I had a trailer stolen during a show last year, from a Marriott Towne Place Suites near downtown Ft. Worth.
I always boot my trailer now, one boot per axle, and lock the hitch with a Gorilla Guard and a hitch pin lock.
Small towns are generally safer than large urban areas. I know a few artists who fly back and forth to shows, leaving a vehicle for a few days, or a couple of weeks, in some instances.
Make sure you have adequate "inland marine" insurance to cover loss of the contents. Your vehicle insurance will cover loss to the vehicle itself, but not to the contents. Getting insurance to cover retail value of the contents may be more difficult. Usually they cover cost of goods only.
I would ask the Art Fair committee. Maybe one of them knows someone that would allow you to park on their property. I've had others park in my driveway before. Just leave a key in case I have an emergency.
Hotels and motels will sometimes allow you to park there if you are staying with them on both ends of the trip, sometimes if you are just staying one end of the flight. I've done that before, although not with a truck full of artwork.
Check out off-site parking around whatever airport you are using in the area. You can usually find ones that have covered parking, secured parking, etc. They also offer transportation between the garage and the airport and vice-versa. Best yet--they are usually cheaper than long-term parking at the airport.