Thanks Bill. I did some checking and even my gig bag is too large to carry on. One of the down sides of being a bass player I guess. I have a flight case but it weighs a ton. With the bass in it I would be slapped with the heavy baggage premium.  
 
So as much as I hate it, I'll be childless on this trip.  
 
Maybe if I stay on my best behavior and ask REAL nice Mica will let play one of the showroom models.  
 
OO

hehe, Olie, you're trapped ! You just CANNOT make it without the Alpha-Omega, and Mike also has to carry one or two beauties with him.
 
Rumour is that security at Bag End will nobody allow to enter the building without an Alembic, so better carry two or more instruments with you to give also the drummer(s) a chance to be with us  
 
have a nice weekend, everybody,
your Christian

Does the John Judge/Peggy bass get two people in?  lol
 
Bill, tgo

...ouch, Bill, I should have known better  
 
Well, I am really toying with the idea of taking the double-neck with me, and also the Seismic bass. But that should be posted in the Dreaming - for now section of this board at this point in time, I have to talk to the airline if it is possible at all, this tiny little monster plus flight case weighs about 100lbs and is not easy to handle... not at all !
 
If the doubleneck makes it over the pond, it will definitely get John and me in...
sorry, folks, but that's the way it is

Christian:
 
So you're seriously thinking about bringing the doubleneck out for a reunion with it's birth-father?  Now that's dedication!  It would be quite a sight to witness John and the bass reunited.  Like i said above, this is shaping up to be BIG FUN!
 
Bill, tgo

Locals: I'll be flying in and out of O'Hare. Should I taxi it, or is a rental in order?
 
If you're staying at a hotel, many of them have airport shuttles. You might take the shuttle to the hotel and then a taxi to the event. And if the hotel is close to the event, one of us locals can probably just run over and get you.

Wow, I normally don't check the social parts of the site, but I'm glad I did. I live in Chicago, I'm free that Saturday, and I will be there.

I have reservations at the Day's Inn four miles from the gathering.  Somehow I suspect the suburban Day's Inn doesn't run a late night airport shuttle (hey Fred, throw some more cheese under the hood to make the hamster run faster on that wheel).  I found a rental for around $50 total.  If anyone needs a ride from O'Hare to Barrington at about midnight, Friday night (or a ride back to the airport on Sunday morning) let me know.
 
Bill, tgo

Just to let you know Bill I got a room at the Days Inn and so did Christian. Should make some good pillow fights so be sure to wear your Richard Simmons tights everyone if you are staying at the Days Inn.
if #12 stays there then we can be sweatin to the Oldies!

PARTY AT THE DAY'S INN!!!!!
 
I booked a smoking room ... just in case ;-)
 
Bill, tgo

I'm not sure smoking room means what you think it means.

We're staying at the Days Inn, but the one in Elk Grove Village. We're catching the Cubs Friday afternoon and Elk Grove is kind of between the two.  
 
 
OO

By the way, are any of you Chicago members gigging Friday or Saturday night (of the gathering weekend)? Be cool to come see you if you are.
 
OO

I was hoping to be able to play the good host to you out-of-towners, but I'm not even remotely familiar with the greater Barrington area.

I'd certainly be willing to drive into the City (they say that in N.Y. and the Bay Area, do they say it in Chicago?) Saturday night.  Maybe get some sushi or something (do you Texas guys eat sushi?) and hit a Blues club?  Just lead the way, Jonathan.
 
Bill, tgo