I do think Christian will grab the title for travel furtherest .
OO

Does that qualify for getting a free Further ?

I wouldn't hold my breath. I ask Mica the same thing when I thought I was.  
 
OO

Sorry Christian..you just get to go 'Further'!
Ok..someone had to say it, couldnt resist.
Looking forward to meeting you Christian.
 
G

I'm local and I'll be there. If anyone needs assistance with anything, drop me a line - my e-mail's in my profile.
 
Looking forward to meeting you all (or y'all for some of you folks!)
 
Loch

Well folks, the fares are cheap, the planets are in alignment, and Senior Management says it's o.k., so it looks like Woody & I will be joining y'all (that's for you, Olie).  
 
Locals:  I'll be flying in and out of O'Hare.  Should I taxi it, or is a rental in order?
 
Bill, tgo

I wouldn't take a taxi to Barrington, probably better off with rental.
 
Unfortunately, I won't be going, but I used to work at Bag End.

I wouldn't take a taxi to Barrington, probably better off with rental.
 
More likely the taxi wouldn't take you - they don't like fares from ORD to anywhere but downtown, and will at least charge a premium for a suburban destination.  At least that's what happened to me last time.
 
Peter

Blazing buckets of bubbling boiling bat poop Batman, we're gonna have WILD BILL too.  
 
Question Bill, do you carry on or check your guitar? I've been toiling over weather or not to bring the A-O bass with me or not. I know they won't let me carry it on unless it's in a gig bag and them I'k not sure it's small enough.
 
OO

If Bill's coming...count me out.
 
(ha ha ha ha ha!)

Rami where are you...you need to come to this one!
I think its gonna be a historical gathering of some wild company
 I mean we are already in the Indiana Jones mode crossing the globe..it's like Global rumbling...can you feel it? look at the the vector scale!
Earth quake warning has just been posted for Barrington Lakes, Il
should reach a 9.5 on the vector scale by five Oclock and by 5:30 I got the Beer..peace my brothers...... John

GEEZ!!!!
I'm getting all excited already, and there is no way I can be there......living in Scotland!
It should turn out to be a fabulous day.
Have fun Brothers.
George

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=374839&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=47066726886&aid=1&id=1045862441&oid=47066726886

What a gathering this is going to be!  
Wish I could be there.
Have fun everyone.

Olie (and other interested parties):
 
Here is my recipe for flying with an instrument.  YMMV.
 
I have a Calton case for Woody, so if going in the cargo hold is in the cards, I needn't worry.  The just bring a gig bag and hope they let it on method is too nerve-wracking for me.  
 
I try to get to the airport a little early.  ALWAYS carry it to the gate, don't check it in with regular baggage.    
 
I find there are some planes that will accommodate the case in the overhead, and some that won't.  On the latter, there is often a closet for the crew or first class in which an instrument will fit.  A sympathetic flight attendant can put it there.  
 
I just try and carry the instrument onto the plane until someone tells me I can't.  Then I try to sweet talk them into it.  If that doesn't work, I gate check the guitar.  At least then it doesn't go through the conveyor belts, multiple handlers, and increased chance of loss that most checked luggage endures.  Also, at most airports, the gate checked luggage is returned to you as you leave the aircraft instead of going through baggage handler purgatory and winding up on the big merry-go-round.  
 
One word of caution:  I try to do this only on non-stop flights or, at least, direct flights (with a stop, but the same plane).   The thought of checking my guitar and then changing planes mid-trip scares the heck out of me.  
 
I've seen that Gator is advertising a new line of ATA approved cases that appear to be lighter than the typical anvil.  I have an anvil-type case for my Fernandes/Alembic.  It's great for protection, but I can't even pretend to carry it on - just too big.  Hope this helps.  I'd love to see the new baby in person!  This is going to be BIG FUN!
 
Bill, tgo