[Sukoshi's Mom]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

It really is kind of sad to see a lot of people complain about how much it would cost if it were "here" rather than if it were "there". I live in Southern California, and I (as well as many others) flew from here to KC. I paid 350 for my flight. That is a lot to me, but if you're going to be driving 8 hours, at 4.65 a gallon, you're going to be spending $260 round trip anyway, so you're not going to be saving much by having it on your coast, unless it is practically in your own home town. The meetup IS going to cost money, and it will take time. That is all there is to it.

The committee put a lot, and I mean A LOT of time and effort into putting the KC meetup on, and it will be a lot of work for the next one no matter where it is. Since YTers are scattered ALL OVER THE US, how much more fair can it be than to have it centrally located one year, on one coast the next, and on the opposite coast the one after that???!!!! You can't get any more fair than that.

I am amazed at how much whining is going on in this thread. If you can't make it to the meetup if it is in a certain location, that is understandable, but it is sad to see what should be a positive exciting thread (I'm excited about the next meetup!) turn into this. Sure, I'd like it if it is in Southern California this year, but I'll most likely still go no matter where it is. Flight prices change every day. If it is on the east coast somewhere, I'll just watch the flight prices and snag it when the price is right.

We've got a whole year to do that!

I'm sorry if anything I've said in this post upsets anyone, but it is disheartening to see people carry on about how "if it is held in ______ city, I won't be able to go; let's have another vote." So instead of sulking if it isn't where you want it to be, try to have a positive outlook and price out flights and such and see if you can make it work. I know I've already been looking at flights to GA and VA, and flights that are $600 today may be $300 tomorrow.

Just keep an open mind and realize this will be a fun and exciting event--no matter where it is held.

You make many good points Misty .

And one thing I don't understand...I'm hearing all these responses that if it's on the West coast, people on the East coast can't come because of x, y, or z. Doesn't everyone realize the same x, y, and z factors are true for those on the West coast if the chosen location is on the East coast (distance, pricing, flight time, etc.)? Any of us on the coasts will have the same issues of getting from one coast to the other, yet some are willing and able to make it work, and some aren't. If you are one who isn't willing or able to make it work and look at it in a positive manner, then just remind yourself that it will get to your coast eventually (2009 or 2010), and please stop complaining about it. You are NOT the only one who faces these issues!

KC wasn't next door for most of us either, but we made it work. Look at the count of how many YTers attended from each state:

Arkansas - 1
Illinois - 1
Kentucky - 1
Michigan - 1
Missouri - 1 (The meet-up was held IN Missouri)
New Jersey - 1
North Carolina - 1
Ohio - 1
Oklahoma - 1
Washington - 1
Iowa - 2
Nebraska - 2
Kansas - 3
Texas - 5
California - 7

1 person from MO went, while 7 people from CA went!