Princeton Class of 1994: 15th Reunion Blog

Reunions: Everything You Need to Know

Here's a reprint of the email you should all have received on 5/22.  Hope to see you in a few days!

Is your hair stringy? Is your flannel rumpled? Are your jeans
second-hand?

CAN YOU SMELL IT?

Yes, SMELLS LIKE FIFTEEN SPIRIT is almost here! This is the email
you should save in your inbox or print up because it’s got almost
everything you need to know in it. 

WHEN & WHERE:

Reunions starts on Thursday, May 28, at noon, and lasts until Sunday, May 31. General Reunions details are available on the main Princeton Reunions page – it is really a wealth of information:
http://alumni.princeton.edu/main/goinback/reunions/reunions_2009/. 

The 15th is very conveniently located in the LITTLE/EDWARDS COURTYARD.
All of our events will take place on site. A map is available here:
http://alumni.princeton.edu/main/volunteers/reunions_volunteers/Reunions2009HQMap.pdf

WEATHER:

Experienced Reunions-goers know that the weather can be unpredictable.
Stay informed by checking
http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/tenday/08542?from=36hr_topnav_flubefore you finish your packing. And because things can change quickly, you might want to pack layers.

REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN:

Online registration is now closed, but you can still register – you
just have to do it in person at Reunions. Come to the Little/Edwards
courtyard during the following hours to get your buttons, costumes,
wristbands, and on-campus housing (if you have been notified that you
received it):

Thurs., May 28: 12 noon to 11pm
Fri., May 29: 9am to midnight
Sat., May 30: 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 11pm (closed for P-rade)

If you still need to register, you can do it on site. Payment by
check or cash is preferred, but we will be able to take credit cards.

Walk-in ticket prices are as follows:
Classmates: $375
Adult guest: $375
Children (1-20): $100
Children under 1: FREE
Child-care giver: $50 (does NOT include meals, drinks, costume, etc.)
Walk-in tickets (other than child-care giver) include all meals,
drinks, entertainment, and activities, as well as costumes on a
first-come, first-served basis until they run out.

Walk-in SATURDAY-ONLY ticket prices are as follows:
Saturday-only adult: $180
Saturday-only children (1-20): $55
Saturday-only children under 1: FREE
Child-care giver: $50 (does NOT include meals, drinks, etc.)
Saturday-only tickets (other than child-care giver) include all
Saturday meals, drinks, entertainment, and activities. They do NOT
include costumes. Leftover costumes will be available for purchase
until they run out.

TRAVEL, SHUTTLES, and PARKING:

The university has information on travel, hotels in the area, local
and on-campus parking, and hotel shuttles:
http://alumni.princeton.edu/main/goinback/reunions/reunions_2009/travel/

Got a hotel room you want to unload? Are you in need of one? Barter
on our blog at
http://princeton1994.typepad.com/princeton_class_of_1994_1/2009/05/hotels-barter-here.html. 

For questions about on-campus housing, contact smbrodbeck - at - yahoo .dot. com or
miro.pasic -at- morganstanley /dot/ com.

COMING WITH KIDS?

We are excited to meet all the little tigers coming to campus! Here
are a few key details if you’re traveling with kids. (And please
see the full schedule at the end of this email for details on our very
fun kids’ activities!)

The university does NOT have high chairs, so if your child eats best
when strapped into a chair, please bring your own TRAVEL BOOSTER
SEAT/CHAIR or a STROLLER. 

We will have an INFANT/TODDLER LOUNGE with changing pads, a mat for
crawlers, and space for nursing mothers. But please bring your own
TRAVEL CHANGING PAD (the kind that comes in a diaper bag), WIPES,
DIAPERS, etc. We’ll have some extra supplies on hand but not
enough to provide for everyone all weekend.

Other items to bring: STROLLER, good WALKING SHOES, SUNSCREEN,
BOTTLES/SIPPY CUPS, SNACKS, SWIMSUIT and small TOWEL (for water
slide), DRY CLOTHES, and LAYERS.

Luckily, our Reunions site is very close to the U-Store, the Wa-Wa,
and downtown, so don’t panic if you find you’ve forgotten
something.

COSTUMES:

Your costume includes a lightweight FLANNEL SHIRT, a T-SHIRT,
SUNGLASSES, and a BANDANA. We recommend bringing your own RIPPED
JEANS, CUTOFFs, or CARGO SHORTS to wear with your costume. 

There will be PRIZES for best grunge interpretations – these will be
awarded at our class dinner on Saturday.

For more information and inspiration, see
http://princeton1994.typepad.com/princeton_class_of_1994_1/2009/04/grunge-fashion.html.

REUNIONS GOES MOBILE:

Reunions Mobile allows reunion-goers to access a range of important
information on their web-enabled handheld devices. Reunions Mobile has
the following features:

· An abbreviated version of the Reunions schedule of open events

· News alerts and live weather conditions

· Information about parking, campus shuttle and hotel bus schedules

· Nightly entertainment at the HQ sites

· The P-rade map, showing classes where to muster

· Information about the lawn concert and fireworks

· A listing of HQ sites for major reunions and satellite classes

Check it out at: m.princeton.edu/reunions 

Simply enter this URL into your mobile web browsers, bookmark the
page, and then return via the bookmark throughout the weekend.
iPhone/iPod users can add the URL to their home screen and a shortcut
icon will be installed.


FINALLY, THE SCHEDULE!

The heads of our 24 sub-committees have been working hard for more
than a year to bring you a fabulous weekend. Here are all of the
details:

THURSDAY, MAY 28

12 noon to 8pm: Children’s activities (arts and crafts, ball pit,
mini bouncer, scavenger hunt)
12 noon to 2am: Beverages under the tent
8pm-10pm: Assorted music under the tent
10pm – 2am: DJ playing grunge and other hits under the tent

FRIDAY, MAY 29

8am-10am: Breakfast under the tent
9am to 8pm: Children’s activities (arts and crafts, ball pit, mini
bouncer, scavenger hunt)
9:15am: Classmate Amy Holmes participates in the forum “Is There a
Post-Racial United States?”
10:30am: Classmate Sarah (Hermanson) Meister participates in the forum
“High Culture: Maintaining Relevance in the 21st Century”
Noon-2pm: Lunch in the courtyard
1pm-5pm: Smoothie station for kids and adults in the Children’s area
1pm-5pm: Bouncy water slide for the kids in the Children’s area
2pm: Community service project: tour of Arial Homes (Broadmead, east
of stadium)
2pm-4pm: An afternoon of magic, hosted by the class of 1969 in
Dod-McCormick courtyard
3pm-5:30pm: Career workshop, Frist Campus Center
4pm: Class memorial service, September 11 Memorial Gardens
6pm-7pm: Cocktail hour and nacho bar, Little courtyard (with a
cappella grunge favorites at 6:30pm!)
6pm-8pm: Kids’ dinner buffet, Little courtyard
7pm-9pm: Mexican buffet, Little courtyard
8:30pm-10:30pm: Cross-class singles mixer, Chancellor Green
9pm-11:30pm: Seattle espresso bar, Little courtyard
10pm-2am: Dancing to RIGHT ON! under the tent

SATURDAY, MAY 30

8am-10am: Breakfast under the tent
9am-1pm and 5pm-8pm: Children’s activities (arts and crafts, ball
pit, mini bouncer, scavenger hunt)
9am-1pm: Water slide in the Children’s area
10am-1pm: Face painting for kids in the Children’s area
10:30am-12 noon: Seattle espresso bar, Little courtyard
10:30am: Classmate Keith Elias participates in the forum “Should
Athletes Be Role Models?”
11am-1pm: Lunch in the courtyard
1pm-5pm: Special kids’ celebrity appears to entertain before and
during P-rade
2pm: P-rade, including a mobile grunge concert
6pm-8pm: Kids’ dinner buffet, Little courtyard
6:30pm-8:30pm: Class dinner, Pan-Asian buffet
7:20-7:35pm: President Shirley Tilghman visits our class, Little
courtyard
8pm-9pm: Orchestra concert, Finney and Lambert fields
9pm-9:45pm: Fireworks, Finney and Lambert fields
10pm-2am: Dancing to BREAKFAST CLUB under the tent

SUNDAY, MAY 31

8am-10am: Breakfast under the tent

NOTE:
There are numerous other events open to the entire Princeton reunion
community. The entire schedule of open events is available on the
Reunions 2009 website:
http://alumni.princeton.edu/main/goinback/reunions/reunions_2009/events.


STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Email us.

gomez at alumni dot - princeton - dot - edu

jasonhollandermd -at yahoo- dot com

ninapots at gmail dot - com

serogers at yahoo -dot -com

Budget Travel Blog 5: 14 Day alert for last minute planners

Fellow classmates ... here's your official 14 day reminder for our 15th Reunion.  What?   You didn't remember to set the alert on your Crackberry/iPhone/Treo?  Not to worry, we're always looking out for you.

In just two weeks, Old Nassau will be filling up with revelers of all ages.  Hopefully you'll be among the crowds.  If you're still making last minute plans, here is some useful info to help you get to campus as frugally as possible:

TRAIN TRAVELERS:

Amtrak offers a group discount for Princeton University Alumni, specifically for reunions.  Receive 10% off the lowest available fare.  Offer is good between May 25 and June 6.  Here's the link for more info and the all important discount code you'll need when you buy your ticket:

http://www.campustravel.com/university/princetonreunion/amtrak_ltr.pdf

AIR TRAVELERS:

Either it really does pay to procrastinate, or this is indeed the summer of the friendly skies.  Airfares are landing within reasonable range, so don't assume you've missed the boat.  Plane.  Whatever.  Here are the latest prices quoted by Kayak.com, from some of our largest alumni hubs:

• LA - lowest fare currently $219
• Bay Area (SFO/OAK/SJC) - lowest fare currently $219
• Chicago - lowest fare currently $199
• Houston - lowest fare currently $152 (Hobby), $217 (GB Int'l)
• Seattle - lowest fare currently $316
• London - lowest fare currently $450
• Atlanta - lowest fare currently $260

(Above fares are to/from either EWR, JFK, LGA or PHL for travel 5/28-5/31.)

Budget Travel Blog 4: Fare Updates

Just a quick update since our 3/9 posting.  Kayak has alerted us that airfares from SFO-EWR have gone down to $289 on United & Continental today.   Great opportunity for all our Bay Area classmates to book their trips!

We'll post more fare updates as we find them ...

Budget Travel Blog 3: Airline Fees

Thinking about booking your flights to Reunions soon?  Good plan!  How very proactive, Princetonian and patriotic of you. A friend recently told me that spending money is everyone's national civic duty, so here's your chance to party with old classmates and stimulate the economy in the process.  However, let's not forget this is a budget blog.  We certainly don't want you over-spending on that trip.  After all, these times call for fiscal responsibility.   So before you buy your tickets, make sure you follow these important steps.

Step 1:  Communicate With Your Constituents

Translation ... change your Facebook status to "(your name) is booking a flight to Princeton Reunions." God knows we can't do anything these days without micro-blogging it. Plus, it will signal all your P'ton friends to get their travel on as well.  (Did I just say get their travel on?)

Step 2:  Seek Bipartisan Input

Translation ... don't just tap your usual travel resources. Cross the aisle and consult some new experts to help you find the best deal. (This is really just a self-serving plug for you to read this blog.)

Step 3:  Avoid the Pork (ironically, the only meaty section of this post)

Translation ... don't let hidden airline fees turn your "deal" into a deficit.  From checked baggage to extra leg room to speaking with a live human, these little extras are a big annoyance.  Especially if you're not expecting them.  So before you grudgingly book that red-eye flight to save $50, double check the fees.  Your total cost may be the same with a carrier that offers a more sleep-friendly schedule ... and doesn't charge you for a pillow in the process.

For handy reference, we've included a comprehensive chart compiled by USA Today.  It was published back in August, so we'll cross-check some of the info and post any corrections to this blog in the coming days. Even better, if any of you have more accurate info, go ahead and note that in the Comments section. (Just pretend this is a Wiki if that makes you feel more hip.)

Airlines' rising fees confuse and anger their passengers

USA Today 08.18.08

Click here for full article.

From booking to on-board snacking, rising airline fees add up

These charts shows fees that U.S. airlines commonly charge coach passengers on domestic flights. Fees may be different than shown, depending on an individual traveler's circumstances. For instance, ticket-change fees can vary depending on whether a ticket is changed online, through an airline's telephone-reservation system or through a travel agent. Preferred-seat charges may be higher on some routes or some types of planes, or may vary for different kinds of seats. Many airlines reduce or waive certain fees for very frequent fliers or for passengers who pay full coach fares. The information in these charts was up to date as of Friday, August 8. 

RESERVATIONS
Airline	Book ticket by phone	Preferred seat	Ticket change fee3
AirTran	$15	$6-$20	$75
Alaska	$15	NA	$75-$100
American	$20	NA	$150
Continental	$15	NA	$150
Delta	$25	NA	$100
Frontier	$25	NA	$150
Hawaiian	$10 or $201	NA	$150 or $200
JetBlue	$15	$10-$30	$100
Midwest	$25	$25-$502	$100
Northwest	$20	$5-$35	1504
Southwest	0	$15-$20	0
Spirit	0	Up to several hundred dollars	$80-$90
United	$25	$14-$149	$150
US Airways	$25	$5-$25	$150
Virgin America	$10	$50-$100	$75
1 — Begins in September; 2 — On Boeing 717s that begin flying this fall; $65 on McDonnell Douglas MD-80s that will cease flying Sept. 8; 3 — Ticket bought from a travel agent may have different fee; 4 — Some routes may have smaller fee

FREQUENT FLIERS
Airline	Book free frequent-flier ticket on phone1	Book free frequent-flier ticket on-line1	Change free frequent-flier ticket	Fee for buying frequent-flier miles/credits
AirTran	0	0	$75	$39/credit
Alaska	$15	0	$100	$27.50/1,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles
American	$20	$5	$150	$27.50/1,000 miles; $250/10,000 miles
Continental	$25	0	$150	$32/1,000 miles; $320/10,000 miles
Delta	$25	0	$100	$55/2,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles
Frontier	$25	0	$35	$28/1,000 miles; $250/10,000 miles
Hawaiian	$10-$20	0	$30 -$150	$32.25/$1,000 miles; $322.50/10,000 miles
JetBlue	$15	0	$100	$5/point
Midwest	$25	0	$50	$29.38/1,000 miles; $293.75/10,000 miles
Northwest	$25	$25	$50	$28/1,000 miles; $280/10,000 miles
Southwest	0	0	0	Not for sale
Spirit	Can't book on phone	0	$80-$90	Not for sale
United	$25	0	$150	$67.25/1,000 miles; $357.50/10,000 miles
US Airways	$55 ($80 Hawaii)	$30	$150 ($250 Hawaii)	$50/1,000 miles; $275/10,000 miles
Virgin America	$10	0	$75	Not for sale until 2009
1 — A fee may apply or could be higher if booking is made close to departure

IN THE AIRPORT
Airline	Check bag at curbside	First checked bag	Second checked bag	Third checked bag	Annual fee for airport club lounge membership3
AirTran	0	0	$252	$50	No lounges
Alaska	No curb service	0	$25	$100	$375 new member; $275 renewal
American	0	$15	$25	$100	$450 new member; $400 renewal
Continental	0	0	$25	$100	$450 new member; $400 renewal
Delta	$3	0	$50	$125	$450 new member; $400 renewal
Frontier	0	0	$25	$50	No lounges
Hawaiian	No curb service	0-$151	$17-$25	$25-$100	$150
JetBlue	$2	0	$20	$75	No lounges
Midwest	0	0	$20	$100	$250
Northwest	$2 at 19 airports; no fee at others	$15	$25	$100	$450 new member; $400 renewal
Southwest	0	0	0	$25	No lounges
Spirit	No curb service	$15-$25	$25	$100	No lounges
United	$2	$15	$25	$125	$500
US Airways	$15	$15	$25	$100	$390
Virgin America	No curb service	0	$25	$25	$40 for access to one lounge
1 — Begins in September; 2 — Effective Sept. 18; $10/$20 until then; 3 — Lower fee may apply for very frequent fliers

IN-FLIGHT SERVICES
Airline	Headset	Non-alcoholic beverage	Alcoholic beverage	Snack	Meal	Unaccompanied minor age 5-7	Pet aboard flight
AirTran	0	0	$6	0	No meals	$39	$69
Alaska	$5-$10	0	$5	0-$5	$5	$75	$100
American	$2	0	$6	$2-$4	$6	$100	$100
Continental	$1	0	$5	0	0	$75	$125
Delta	$3	0	$7	0-$3	$4-$10	$100	$150
Frontier	0	0-$3	$6	$3	$6-$7	$50	No pets allowed
Hawaiian	$5	0	$6	0-$51	0	$35-$75	$35-$175
JetBlue	$1	0-$3	$5	0	No meals	$75	$75
Midwest	No headsets	0	$5	0	$6-$11	$50	$100
Northwest	$3	0	$5	$3-$7	$10	$75	$80
Southwest	No headsets	0	$4	0	No meals	0	No pets allowed
Spirit	No headsets	$2-$3	$5-$7	$2-$4	No meals	$75	$85
United	0	0	$6	No fee (testing $3 snack on some routes)	$5-$7	$99	$1252
US Airways	$5	$1-$2	$7	$5	$7	$100	$100
Virgin America	0	0	$5-$6	$2-$3	$7-$9	$75	$100
1— $15 fee begins Oct. 1 on mainland U.S.-Hawaii flights; 2— $100 until Aug. 18
Sources: Airlines, USA TODAY research by Gary Stoller

Budget Travel Blog 2: Airfares

Ok, time for more SMELLS LIKE ... A DEAL:  REUNIONS TRAVELS TIPS FOR THE RECESSION-WEARY.

There are only 80 days until our 15th reunion, so no better time than now to start planning, pricing, and purchasing your trip to the Garden State.

Let's start with airfares, shall we?   

After several years of purchasing airline tix via OTA's (online travel agencies) such as Expedia or Priceline, I have personally made the switch to Kayak.com, an aggregator (or meta-search site) that is easy to use, doesn't charge fees, and has killer controls for users to manipulate their search results in real time.

As an aggregator site, Kayak doesn't actually sell tickets, it simply searches all the airline sites + several of the OTA's to find and display the lowest fares available.  Its other value-add is the ease with which you can filter and further narrow the results dynamically (e.g. takeoff time, layover time, type of aircraft, etc.).  Once you've found what you want, Kayak clicks you through to the actual site (e.g. AA.com, cheaptickets.com, etc.) to make the purchase.  Kayak also offers email alerts and airfare history data to help ensure you are finding the best deal.  Oh - and also - their prices include all airline taxes and fees, unlike other sites which 'surprise' you later on.

If you're unfamiliar with Kayak.com, check out this How-To article that walks you through the process:

http://www.cheapticketlinks.org/how-to-search-kayak/

Meantime, because we are here to help ... your friendly budget travel blogger has signed up for several daily email alerts to track airfares to Newark from the cities listed below.  Watch this blog for updates on prices:

• LA (lowest fare currently $290)
• SF (lowest fare currently $299)
• Chicago (lowest fare currently $257)
• Houston (lowest fare currently $304)
• Seattle (lowest fare currently $299)
• London (lowest fare currently $347)
• Boston (lowest fare currently $159)
• DC (lowest fare currently $119)
• Atlanta (lowest fare currently $209) 

(Above fares are to/from Newark for travel 5/28-5/31. We will also periodically check Philly and NYC airports as well as alternate travel dates.)  

Stay tuned for our next post coming soon ... meantime, don't forget to share your own travel savings tips with classmates by commenting on this blog.  

Smells Like ... a Deal: Reunions Travel Tips for the Recession-Weary

Hi folks.  Welcome to the first installment of your official Princeton Class of 1994 15th Reunion Budget Travel Blog.   Budget travel blog?  Seriously?   That sounds kinda depressing.  But it's true. Even our mighty and beloved Princeton reunions aren't immune to the ailing economy.  We all know that going back to old Nassau can be costly.  But since we don't want that to stand in the way of great attendance this year, we are here to help with some money saving tips and reminders! (cue super hero music)

Now, when I say "we" are here to help ... I am not just referring to yours truly or even to our Reunions committee members, but rather to the "collective we."   Even though I will do my best to scour the internet for the best, most jaw-dropping, miracle-working, mind-blowing travel bargains, I am humble enough to know that I will never be as savvy as our collective community of seasoned travelers.  So consider this your invitation to make this an interactive, participatory blog!   Please use the Comments section of this blog to post your own money saving ideas.  Who knows?  The information you share could make the difference between seeing that long lost classmate at Reunions (yay!) ... or not (boo!).

So let's get started, shall we?  Stay tuned for the next blog post in which we'll focus on planes, trains and automobiles ... oh yeah, and Kayaks.

Online registration is now open!

Online registration is now open for Smells Like Fifteen Spirit!  Please go to www.princeton94.org to get early bird pricing and request on-campus housing.