San Jose, California will host 2018 U.S. Nationals (Dec. 29, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018)

[UMBS Go Blue]

I see from the link you provided that one can apply for the senior clipper card by fax, so those of us who are eligible just might be able to obtain the card before we leave for San Jose.

Sounds good - hope you are able to receive yours before you leave. If not, you can try applying in person at their downtown San Jose center (open weekdays) once you get into town. Will add a field to my original post about using Clipper cards.

I have a question: It appears from looking at the BART schematic that those of us traveling to or from SFO on weekdays before 9 PM must transfer at San Bruno. Is that right?

Yes, I'll edit my original post. On weekdays after roughly 5am and until 9pm, whether you're originating at SFO heading to Millbrae, or originating at Millbrae heading to SFO, you'd need to take any train heading towards San Francisco, take it 1 stop to San Bruno, get off and walk across the platform, and take a train coming from San Francisco towards either Millbrae or SFO. Basically, during these hours, there is no direct train from Millbrae to SFO.

On BART, there are blinking signs above the platform showing the direction the train is headed. All SF-bound trains will have "SF" added to the direction, for example "SF / Pittsburg-Bay Point" or "SF-Richmond," so they should be easy to spot. At SFO, all trains between 5am-9pm on weekdays are headed towards SF anyway.

Oops, one more question: It appears that SuperShuttle doesn't offer shared-ride service from the San Jose Airport, just its premium, taxi-like service. Am I missing something? Although I plan to use public transportation, if I'm seriously delayed, that may not be a good option. It looks as if a taxi will be the only viable alternative.

Hmmm, that's a surprise. I see what you're talking about. It seems weird that SuperShuttle doesn't currently serve SJC while Uber and Lyft do.

For what it's worth, I was able to get a quote for $13.99 on Lyft and $14.82 on Uber for a ride right this moment from SJC to the Fairmont downtown. Also, taking the VTA bus 10 and VTA light rail to/from SJC should be fine at most hours unless you're traveling in/out of SJC super late or are super delayed. The service frequencies on the VTA bus 10 drop off after about 8-9pm and end just after 11pm.

 

[Willin]

@Carolla5501 What you saw is likely the requirement that ride-share vehicles were temporarily banned until they could work out some sort of licensing system for them (since you have to pay extra $$$ for a pass to pick up at the airport). Now rideshares are allowed, but the driver must pay extra for a displayable certificate to pick up at the airport - so technically some rideshare drivers are banned from picking up there. I totally agree with @UMBS Go Blue that Lyft is better to use than Uber. I only use Lyft right now. There are roughly equal Lyft and Uber drivers here, so there's no reason to use Uber.

 

[Quintuple]

@skatfan Got it - hope to meet you anyway!

So, after reading the past few pages, a few responses:

I was on the volunteer conference call. On the call, they said that the 2 volunteer vouchers can indeed be used for 2 different events.

And for volunteers, OK to use the shuttles between venues.

I'm confused and kinda frustrated about the shifts though. I signed up for a bunch, see 3 assigned to me on the USFSA site, which is great - that's clear; I didn't expect to get them all. Some on the phone didn't see anything on the site. So we were told that the site isn't final, and we'll get an email next week.

That explanation is fine and understandable, even if not definite.

But suddenly I got an email today from a volunteer coordinator in another group that I originally indicated I'd be interested in (I think in the original application, not the second one they had us do). Here's where I'm confused - they asked me to fill out the volunteer application again. The same one from two months ago. But then the email says to reply with the opposite - which shifts you're *not* available for.

So ... are they asking me to volunteer for another group in addition to the shifts I'm already assigned? Or am I not really assigned to the ones I see on the USFSA (second) site?

Frustrated.


ETA: Got clarification that the additional email is for additional shifts, and I don't need to repeat the application. I think it's probably the LOC vs. USFSA coordination that's causing too many conflicting messages to volunteers.

 

[Carolla5501]

@Carolla5501 What you saw is likely the requirement that ride-share vehicles were temporarily banned until they could work out some sort of licensing system for them (since you have to pay extra $$$ for a pass to pick up at the airport). Now rideshares are allowed, but the driver must pay extra for a displayable certificate to pick up at the airport - so technically some rideshare drivers are banned from picking up there. I totally agree with @UMBS Go Blue that Lyft is better to use than Uber. I only use Lyft right now. There are roughly equal Lyft and Uber drivers here, so there's no reason to use Uber.

No I was not referring to rideshare I was referring to shared shuttle services. They either have been banned Or have just given up. But you can get them at other airports in California. It's interesting that only this airport does not have any type of shared shuttle arrangement like Super Shuttle.

 

[Willin]

@Carolla5501 I will be flying out of SJC on the 26th, so I can see what they have there.

I'd bet since most of their business is business people getting transport provided by their company, it's not usually practical for shared shuttles. Most people I know who fly in there can't even get a hotel shuttle, so someone just picks them up! It was bad before Lyft and Uber...

 

[acraven]

It may simply be an issue of distance. The airport's not that far from the city, so taxi fare is not exorbitant. I assume that no one takes a shared-ride service unless it undercuts the taxi fare by a good bit. In the case of San Jose, any party of two would almost certainly be better off in a taxi.

 

[Debbie S]

I'll be with my mom and we'll probably just grab a taxi from the airport to the hotel. On our way home, since we're flying out very early - 6:30, so I'm thinking we'll leave for the airport around 4:30 - I was thinking of doing Uber. Any local peeps have experience with Uber at that hour? Reliable?

 

[skatfan]

So maybe everyone else figured this out already, but I hadn't - there are now Practice passes for each day from January 2 - 7 that can be printed out for the All-event ticket holders from the SAP Center site. According to Eric at the center, these were added a few days after I had printed out and downloaded the rest of my tickets. (Grrr. an email would have been nice)

 

[Debbie S]

^^ Thanks for posting, skatfan! Just printed out my passes.

For those who have been communicating with the LOC about volunteer shifts, is there a general e-mail that you have been using, or is it the USFS events address? I can't find an e-mail address on the website. I see they have a FB page, but it looks like the page was done by the SAP Center for ticket inquiries only. TIA!

 

[Willin]

@Debbie S I've been using Carrie's E-mail, but I haven't been getting any answers, so I don't know if that's the person I should be contacting or if she's just really busy.

 

[maureenfarone]

@skatfan do you know if there is a practice pass for January 1 since there are practices listed for SAP on January 1?

 

[Plusdinfo]

Do-I-or-don't-I advice sought:

Instead of keeping my idea of going to San Jose in my head, I am laying it out (at least a bit) to get feedback since the event is actually starting soon.

I'm currently in LA taking acting classes, but there will be a break from that during nationals. I'd originally been quite keen on the idea of seeing nationals during an Olympic year; I've only ever seen Skate America 2013 in terms of a live competition. Now, upon reflection, I've seen Max Aaron, Jason Brown, and Adam Rippon already; I saw the Shibutanis and Hubbell/Donohue, and I'm not usually keen on Chock/Bates; and the US pairs are not my favorites. For the ladies, always hyped as the most dramatic event in the U.S., Gracie Gold is out, I've seen Ashley Wagner, and the main reason for me to go would be to hopefully see Mirai skate well, medal, and make the team. I could certainly do sightseeing in San Jose, as I love travel and have never been to that city before, and costtodrive.com says it'd be $23.24 each way, but then there's sorting out tickets (are any that are left even "good"?), accommodation (Couchsurfing, perhaps, as I like that a lot), etc. I've considered just shooting for the men's free and the women's free, but I have no nationals experience and don't know about this.

Ideas?! Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[skatfan]

@skatfan do you know if there is a practice pass for January 1 since there are practices listed for SAP on January 1?

I don’t think they’ve created one but I can call Eric and ask.

 

[Cayuse]

Do-I-or-don't-I advice sought:

Instead of keeping my idea of going to San Jose in my head, I am laying it out (at least a bit) to get feedback since the event is actually starting soon.

I'm currently in LA taking acting classes, but there will be a break from that during nationals. I'd originally been quite keen on the idea of seeing nationals during an Olympic year; I've only ever seen Skate America 2013 in terms of a live competition. Now, upon reflection, I've seen Max Aaron, Jason Brown, and Adam Rippon already; I saw the Shibutanis and Hubbell/Donohue, and I'm not usually keen on Chock/Bates; and the US pairs are not my favorites. For the ladies, always hyped as the most dramatic event in the U.S., Gracie Gold is out, I've seen Ashley Wagner, and the main reason for me to go would be to hopefully see Mirai skate well, medal, and make the team. I could certainly do sightseeing in San Jose, as I love travel and have never been to that city before, and costtodrive.com says it'd be $23.24 each way, but then there's sorting out tickets (are any that are left even "good"?), accommodation (Couchsurfing, perhaps, as I like that a lot), etc. I've considered just shooting for the men's free and the women's free, but I have no nationals experience and don't know about this.

Ideas?! Thanks for any thoughts.

Go for as many full days as you can afford. There is nothing like seeing the competition live and especially this year with the Olympic Team on the line. There are plenty of tickets in the lower level. I would call the arena ticket office and speak to someone in person.

 

[Aceon6]

@Plusdinfo If you can afford it, go for at least a couple of days. There will be tickets. (Don't forget to post in the Tickets thread in Strictly Skating).

 

[acraven]

Skatfan, thanks for posting about the practice passes. I would never have known.

We do need one for January 1, though. There aren't really many opportunities to see senior practices at the SAP Center, and the ladies are practicing during the novice pattern dance, which I assume many will be skipping.

 

[missing]

So maybe everyone else figured this out already, but I hadn't - there are now Practice passes for each day from January 2 - 7 that can be printed out for the All-event ticket holders from the SAP Center site. According to Eric at the center, these were added a few days after I had printed out and downloaded the rest of my tickets. (Grrr. an email would have been nice)

Thank you.

I never would have known otherwise.

Now the practice passes are all printed. Not the most efficient system I've ever encountered but it's better to have the passes than to wave the tickets at people and hope for the best.

 

[skatfan]

Thank you.

I never would have known otherwise.

Now the practice passes are all printed. Not the most efficient system I've ever encountered but it's better to have the passes than to wave the tickets at people and hope for the best.

THE only reason I knew was a gal at my church is going and her friends basically told SAP center there had to be passes. When I call about Jan 1 passes I expect they I’ll say it’s not in their contract with USFSA but our tickets do say all practices so tough.

 

[Willin]

Didn't they say the volunteers would be getting practice passes as well?
Then again I haven't heard anything from them since the in-person meeting, so...

 

[LKR]

Will anyone not be using his or her practice pass for any of January 3rd-6th? I didn't purchase an all-event package, but would like to see any senior practices that week if possible.

 

[MacMadame]

Do-I-or-don't-I advice sought:

You've listed about 3-5 top skaters in each discipline. There about 400 skaters competing at Nationals from Juvenile to Senior. One of the best things about a competition like Nationals is finding new skaters to enjoy.

IOW, go!

Didn't they say the volunteers would be getting practice passes as well?

I found that part of the meeting confusing. I'm not sure we are getting anything but our 2 comped tickets.

Btw, I am listening to a radio station that I don't normally listen to because they are playing Christmas music and a few days ago they started advertising tickets to Nationals! There are banners on the street posts in downtown SJ too. Each one has about 4-5 skaters on it though they are hard to recognize because they were shot in studio conditions so they don't look like themselves a lot of the time!

 

[Mrs. P]

I've only ever seen Skate America 2013 in terms of a live competition. Now, upon reflection, I've seen Max Aaron, Jason Brown, and Adam Rippon already; I saw the Shibutanis and Hubbell/Donohue, and I'm not usually keen on Chock/Bates; and the US pairs are not my favorites. For the ladies, always hyped as the most dramatic event in the U.S., Gracie Gold is out, I've seen Ashley Wagner, and the main reason for me to go would be to hopefully see Mirai skate well, medal, and make the team. .

It would probably be interesting to see how those skaters you've seen at Skate America 2013 have changed and developed in their skating. I remember that both the Shibutanis and Hubbell and Donohue were less than impressive in the SD when I saw them live at 2014 Nationals. They were OK in the FD. But at 2016 Worlds, it was obvious that both teams improved greatly!

And I agree with others, it's always goods to discover new favorites too. While U.S. Pairs were not my favorite, the U.S. Pairs SP was actually one of the major highlights for me in 2014.

So yes, if you are able, you should go.

 

[skatfan]

Didn't they say the volunteers would be getting practice passes as well?
Then again I haven't heard anything from them since the in-person meeting, so...

There was no mention of practice passes. Two tix to any event once you've completed 3 shifts.

 

[skatfan]

Will anyone not be using his or her practice pass for any of January 3rd-6th? I didn't purchase an all-event package, but would like to see any senior practices that week if possible.

I may have a day or two with no one using my extra ticket (Wednesday a definite possibility). Will know closer to the event.

 

[A.H.Black]

Will anyone not be using his or her practice pass for any of January 3rd-6th? I didn't purchase an all-event package, but would like to see any senior practices that week if possible.

The reason we buy all-event packages is to have those practice passes. They are equal to gold. I hope someone might be able to accommodate you. It's always worth asking.

 

[LKR]

Thanks @skatfan let me know.

@A.H.Black It was a tough decision to forego an all-event package, but ultimately could not justify the cost for the seats I wanted. Getting a great individual ticket to my favorite event, ladies free (sec 116, row 7) and purchasing discount tickets for the short programs on TRAVELZOO sealed it for me. Plus I can't stay for dance free. But I would love to see any senior practices and hope to get that chance!

 

[Catherine M]

I don't know if this will be possible or not but the last time I went to US Nationals, I didn't have a practice pass but a couple of mornings, we went early and just showed our day ticket for that date and the usher waived us in. Note it was really early, like before 8am so before the crowd got there.

 

[acraven]

It varies from year to year, and I guess potentially from day to day and gatekeeper to gatekeeper, but it is always worth trying to use your competition ticket to get into a practice you want to see on the same day.

Your odds of finding someone willing to give up a practice pass to you are better than average this year, since there's a separate pass for each day.

 

[A.H.Black]

Just talked to Eric at SAP (very helpful guy). He is aware that there is not a practice pass for Jan 1st. As of now, the day pass for Solar Arena will be good for entrance into SAP for practices on January 1st. If the situation changes, he will try to let me know.

He also said they saw the first practice schedule today (not the one we have seen posted by Sylvia, dated 11/18). It sounds like there is an update (probably one of several coming).

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Have any volunteers heard anything? I’ve received nothing since the meeting.