National Rally Parking team

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by jfaberna

Let me see if I get this right:
1. arrive early
2. Woody's in charge
3. Drive around drinking in a golf cart (preferably bourbon)
4. Help people park

How could I not sign up?

Jim Abernathy (a.k.a Bourbon Doc)
I'll be at Elkhart Campground officially leaving 9/6. So I could be at the Fairgrounds in the AM on 9/6 if that is an option. I have not checked with the Fairground office yet if I can come in on the 6th.

Life is indeed good. Thanks Jim, and as usual, Elkhart will let us in but can't guarantee us our Rally site. They won't get the sites until the last minute but I've always got mine when we checked in early.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by snowmanfx4

We will already be in Indiana. Only about half hr south of the rally. So we can be there on the 6th.
Thanks

Just check with Elkhart on the early arrival. You will need to pay at the office for any days that are exclusive of the rally. It's never been a problem before but past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Pace yourself on that drive.

[JPDoege]

Jim & Carrie Doege will be arriving early and ready to help

[Ram Montana High Country]

Got it on the schedule to arrive the 6th to support the PARKING TEAM - see you all there

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by JPDoege

Jim & Carrie Doege will be arriving early and ready to help

I knew that. Thanks. I'm not sure what maps were left over from last year. Have you had any word from the WMs? I'm sure we had some big ones but am not sure of the small individual ones. See you soon.

[Ram Montana High Country]

Bringing the paint can stick to help paint lines and not fingers

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Ram Montana High Country

Got it on the schedule to arrive the 6th to support the PARKING TEAM - see you all there

No name? It didn't work Les. I've got my eyes on you. Thanks for helping. Safe travels from the "Big T".

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Ram Montana High Country

Bringing the paint can stick to help paint lines and not fingers

I think it will all be painted before we get there. They paint their fingers on purpose so we all think that they are doing work. Have you ever seen the number of little umbrellas they go through?

[snowmanfx4]

We will be there on the morning of the 6th. I can bring a paint stick too if need to.

[LDMoore06]

Jackie wants me out of the camper, so I think I can help. When are we arriving? Early I think the 7th. May need some retraining. Lol

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by LDMoore06

Jackie wants me out of the camper, so I think I can help. When are we arriving? Early I think the 7th. May need some retraining. Lol

Tell Jackie I will do my best to keep you out of her hair. As for training, see one, do one, teach one. Our personal parking professionals will be performing precise placements with a perfunctory and pernicious pedigree. Just be sure to eat all the apples. You need to update your truck.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by snowmanfx4

We will be there on the morning of the 6th. I can bring a paint stick too if need to.

Painting is well above my pay grade. The WMs should have it done before our arrival. If not, it will be a long day.

[Dalder]

Seems like you have a few volunteers already but I would be glad to help. We arrive on the 7th by 2pm. I have been known to sip a “little” bourbon myself and am pretty good at driving a “Beer Cart” at the golf course which is the only anyone will let me on one! Lol

This is our first rally so looking forward to it!

Dennis

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Dalder

Seems like you have a few volunteers already but I would be glad to help. We arrive on the 7th by 2pm. I have been known to sip a “little” bourbon myself and am pretty good at driving a “Beer Cart” at the golf course which is the only anyone will let me on one! Lol

This is our first rally so looking forward to it!

Dennis

Thanks Dennis (last name ?). Don't let the number fool you. We can never have too many. Worst case scenario is we have a slow time and go to work on your "cart". Some times we are one armed paper hangers and other times we sit around swapping lies. Either way we have fun. I'll be filling in the gaps on job descriptions in another couple of weeks.

[Randu]

According to my calander I'm arriving the 7th. This is my 2nd rally and willing to help out.
I live 100 miles away and can adjust arrival time to early morning if you need morning help. Randy Sauer

[Woodyswanch]

[QUOTE=Randu;1254024]According to my calander I'm arriving the 7th. This is my 2nd rally and willing to help out.
I live 100 miles away and can adjust arrival time to early morning if you need morning help. Randy Sauer[/QUOT


Thanks Randy. We will be very busy on the seventh. If you come in the morning you will have a chance to set up before I put you to work. I'm starting to think I should publish some ground rules to help people out.

[Woodyswanch]

I was going to hold off on this for a while but it may help to publish now. First off, three points for those who sang the first post to the tune of the Fish Song. For those at Woodstock it had a slightly different name.


We do three different jobs on the "Parking Team". Waving, signing and escort services. All take a different skill set but the last one can really wear you out, especially at our ages.


Waving...
We will have one entrance at the rally that we prefer to use. There are more than one but the others can cause issues for the drivers. We like to post a person or preferably two or more at Gate number three. We should have an awning set up there and chairs. People at the gate will watch for Montys driving down East Monroe St (CR 34) both east and west bound. When they see one they will wave hysterically to get their attention so they will turn in the correct entrance. A word of caution, the west bound ones can really sneak up on you. The only exception to this is Charlie "Mr. Coffee". He seems to prefer Gate two and there's not a whole lot we can do about that. Thankfully he knows where he is going and will let you know that when you chase him down. Once the Montys turn into Gate Three, they will make a right turn into the parking lot.


Signing...
Once people turn into the parking lot we will have a "Parking Team" member greet the incomer and sign them in. We can answer some questions there and get them hooked up with their escort service.
Sometimes there may be multiple rigs waiting for escorts but usually the escorts can take care of business fairly quickly to help out another john, I mean rig. Unlike some escort services ours do not work at night. We believe in family time too.



Escort Service...
This is the where we need the most help. We will be sending out two escorts with each rig. Hopefully we can put a rooky with a seasoned pro. At least until everyone goes pro. The escorts will guide the rigs to their parking site and remain with the rig until they disconnect or at least swear they won't move the rig. Some times the escorts will be asked to park the rigs. Most of the time we just spot and make sure the rigs are in the correct position. Escorts can do whatever they are comfortable with. This is very important. The spots will be marked by painted lines on the ground. The rigs when parked and slides open cannot infringe on their neighbors site. If a rig is misplaced they will be asked to reposition to make them selves legal. The record is two repositionings, this was not the fault of the rig driver. My apologies again for you having to move. Some of these sites are very tight. There is nothing we can do about this. We are using all of the full hook up, 50 amp sites in the campground. It's not our fault that the new rigs are soooo much bigger than what they used to be. The WMs will be loaning us 4 or 5 golf carts to assist with the escort duty. If you have rented a cart and want to get your moneys worth than bring it with you for "Parking Team" participation. It also gives you shade and a seat for the slow times. You can also use a bike if you want. Ask Larry M how many rigs you can park in a day before you say uncle. Lucky for him the temperature didn't hit 100 that day.

We will have traffic flow guidance for parking to prevent bottlenecks. It may not be the quickest way to the site but it keeps things running smooth and besides, I'm not paying for the gas.

I have heard there will be a majority of rigs coming in the seventh. We will need all the help we can get so the lines don't get too long in the parking lot. If you come in on the sixth or early on the seventh and no one is there to escort you, please be careful how you park. You cannot go by the dead grass on the sites. Different rallys park differently. Almost all of our parking is done at an angle. Always go by the paint.



We don't set any work hours for volunteers. Every one has things that need doing so I just ask that if you have some free time please come up to the parking lot to help out. It also seems that arrivals come in waves. We'll be slow for an hour and than all hell breaks loose. Most rigs come in the afternoon but we do get some in the morning. We also try to swap out jobs but some people like to do certain things and that's fine too. Just remember to share. Speaking of sharing, the WMs usually make us lunch on parking days. A previous practice I whole heartily appreciate and hope continues. (hint, hint)



So go slap some cold water on your face to wake up and have a nice day. I'll be posting more later.

[glkids2]

You know I love helping out with the parking! Will be there Wednesday afternoon sometime

[ReadyToRetire]

Tom and Lisa Schultz would love to help! Tom escorting and Lisa waiving. We are arriving on 9/9🙂

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by glkids2

You know I love helping out with the parking! Will be there Wednesday afternoon sometime

That's because you're so good at it. Thanks Glen. Is Lisa doing pretzels this year? See you soon.