We are just over two weeks away from Cranky Dorkfest DFW, and the details are shaping up nicely. We now have our location and, in a first for a Dorkfest, sponsors.
I asked you to RSVP so that DFW could figure out the best location to hold the event and we’ve had just about 200 of you say you’re coming. That is a lot, so it means there was only one good spot to do this… Founders’ Plaza.
What: Cranky Dorkfest DFW
When: Sunday, February 24 from 1pm to 3pm
Where: Founders’ Plaza, 1700 N Airfield Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Airplane watching, food, and giveaways
For those who don’t know, Founders’ Plaza is an excellent spotting area on the north end of the western runway complex. We should all hope for clear skies and arrivals to the south, but don’t worry. We have a backup plan if the weather is horrible. Just keep your eyes on the blog or RSVP to receive updates.
DFW has been fantastic in helping to plan this event, so it won’t surprise any of you to know that the airport is an official sponsor. But we’ve also had American Airlines commit to sponsoring as well. Thank you to both of them for really stepping up to make this an excellent event. I’ll have more details on what their sponsorship means when things get closer.
Giveaway/Raffle
If anyone would like to contribute to provide something to give away, then let me know. I’m going to do things differently this time. I’m going to sell raffle tickets to those who want to be entered in the drawing. Half of the proceeds will go toward a local charity which I’m still working on nailing down. Again, I’ll have more details before the event.
Eat
Yes this is at 1pm, but you should hold off on eating lunch beforehand. We’re going to have food trucks pull up to Founders’ Plaza for the event, and I want to make sure to support them. I’ll let you know specifics on which trucks will be there before the event.
If you have any questions, let me know. Or if you’d like to contribute a raffle item, then I’m all ears. It’s cf@crankyflier.com.
15 comments on “Location and First Sponsors Announced for Cranky Dorkfest DFW”
I was a 6-year airline employee in an earlier life at Dodge City DDC and Manhattan MHK , and Greater Southwest Airport GSW in Fort Worth. Then I controlled air traffic for 35+ years at Albuquerque Center ZAB and Fort Worth Center ZFW and spent thousands of hours as a cockpit jumpseat observer. And, I now have been a volunteer as an Ambassador at DFW Airport for 14 years. Finally, I don’t remember how I found it, but I’m a regular reader of your blog/newsletter each week. So, your upcoming event at DFW sounds very interesting. Unfortunately (?) wife and I will be on an American flight to LAX enroute to Lihue to celebrate my 75th birthday. Otherwise, I would be at Founders Plaza with you all. Good luck and I hope you have a great turnout. Hopefully you’ll do it here again while I’m still around or in Orlando where our other home and grandchildren are. Thanks for doing what you do. I enjoy reading about the industry I’ve been close to for over 50 years. Alan NeaceHurst, TX
Thanks for the comment, Alan. It’s too bad we won’t see you this time, but hopefully we can turn this into more than a one-time event.
Now all you need is for Doug Parker to show up.
Hey Brett, is DFW going to have plans for parking for this event? Thinking there may not be enough spots at the park itself to accommodate.
Doug – Yes. They are going to have people guiding traffic. If the lot fills up, they’re working on being able to park on the shoulder on the road in. If that fills up, there are other options as well. I’ll have more before the event, but the airport is definitely on top of things.
This sounds like a *huge* event. Roughly how many people are planning on attending?
A – There are about 200 RSVPs so far.
Awesome, thanks!
I am flying in for the event from ABQ, other than a very short taxi or Uber from the terminal do you have any tips for getting over there? Unless AA wants to grace me and those flying in with an optional ground transfer in those beautiful premier services cars I see on the ramp :)
Two options you might consider – but I’m sure that Brett has something better in mind!
Super 8 (Wyndham) in Grapevine is about 1 mile and they have a free shuttle, and the DFW Metra station is also about 1 mile https://www.google.com/maps/dir/DFW+Founders'+Plaza,+North+Airfield+Drive,+Grapevine,+TX,+USA/DFW+Airport+North,+1601+E+Dallas+Rd,+Grapevine,+TX+76051,+USA/@32.9224933,-97.0557044,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x864c2afb6027772b:0xddfb7267b51421cd!2m2!1d-97.0591068!2d32.9187853!1m5!1m1!1s0x864c2a5334911e55:0x145d7d7abecc4dc7!2m2!1d-97.04284!2d32.925497
Michael – There isn’t anything that goes there directly, but the North remote parking lot isn’t all that far (you can check Google Maps). If the weather is decent, you can shuttle out there and then walk.
Too bad I don’t land until that night…
Sounds like it will be a blast, and it’s very nice of DFW to sponsor the event and help out so much. Hope you get some of the AA and WN execs like Andrew Watterson to join the fun as well.
I’ll have to keep checking prices for flights from the BOS/MHT area and hope I can nab something affordable (say, < ~$300) at the last minute. The more I hear about this, the more tempting it becomes to drop a few Benjamins and join the fun.
Just wondering where are most people staying at?
Thank you!
Dan
Outstanding! Hopefully the weather will be good that day. No telling here on February. See you then, Brett.