Ho, ho, ho fellow airline dorks. As you gather with your family and plot out plans for next year… take a little time to mark your calendars, because we have a date…
Cranky Dorkfest 2025 will be on Saturday, September 13
What is Cranky Dorkfest? If you don’t know, then I’m happy to explain. For the main event, a bunch of us get together, watch airplanes near LAX, eat burgers, and talk shop. Thatʻs it. Here’s what it was like a couple years back when we had about 400 people attend. It was bigger last year.
Here are the basics:
- What: Cranky Dorkfest 2025
- When: Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 11am to 1pm PT
- Where: The park across from the In-N-Out at LAX
- Who: All are welcome, and there is no cost
- Why: Because you like watching airplanes and talking shop with fellow airline dorks
This isn’t the only event during the weekend. Oh, no. We are hopeful to repeat last year’s early morning spotting event on the tarmac thanks to the team at LAX. Stay tuned for those details. And yes, weʻve again teamed up with NYC Aviation to make sure we’re lined up with the SpotLAX event so that you’ll have opportunities to hang out all weekend long.
For long-time attendees, watch this space because we are going to do the raffle differently this year. It’s going to require advance sign-up so that we don’t run into some of the problems we’ve had in previous years.
Mark your calendars and get ready to come join us next year.
25 responses to “Mark Your Calendars: Cranky Dorkfest 2025 is September 13”
Ummmm….what “problems” did you run into in the previous years? I’ve attended most of these and I can’t recall any problems…
Doug – Well, there were people who were gaming the system, getting multiple tickets to enter by going to different people handing them or saying they needed a ticket for their kid who was vaguely across the lawn somewhere.
It sounds to me like the majority of the bad actors were people who weren’t even there for Dorkfest but were just at the park and decided to jump in.
At least, that’s what I’ve been able to gather. So, if we do pre-registration, that solves that problem.
Yeah that makes sense. But anyone trying to game that raffle…even if it’s one who knew about the event and turns out to be the most ardent AVGeek…is pathetic. This is supposed to be a nice bonus not life’s mission…
Is Sign up Available fir Tarmac?
Jason – None of that has been set up yet, but I’ll post here if we’re able to get LAX to do it again.
Ooof…I thought I was going to do this but now I’m not so sure as I fly home on the 11th from a 17 day trip doing the Island Hopper and I don’t know if I have it in me to get back on a plane the next day…lol.
I need to think about this…
Can 08 Left sponsor something! Or give away something?
How do we buy tickets?
You don’t need to buy tickets! It’s free. But we will have things to sign up for in advance. We are just trying to nail down a couple of final items with LAX before putting full details out. Keep watching here and we will post that on the blog.
Will you be making any T shirts for 2025?
Patrick – I’m afraid not. It was too much of a pain for me, so I won’t be doing it this year.
I’m the owner of 08 Left, aviation art and apparel. Can we sponsor some shirts? Or create some for you. 08left.com.
Will you have the same DJ as last year? He played the perfect soundtrack!
Richard – At the LAX ramp tour? That’s up to them, and I’m not sure.
Yes! He was playing songs that had to do with flying and it went perfectly with the event theme. It truly made the event for me.
Hi Everyone!
This may be a longshot, but I figured I’d ask. :)
My dad is a United captain retiring this month. His final flight happens to be on 9/13 arriving at 12:40pm (UA83 HND-LAX). We’d love to have a photographer to get his descent on photo or video if possible. If anyone has any leads that would be so appreciated!!
Carina – That is very cool. Do you have any family on friends taking the flight with him? If so, we can get everyone to wave to the camera while he flies over.
But I do know someone who would be good for this on the ground. I will connect via email if he confirms he’ll be there.
Hi Brett! Sorry I realized I replied out of this thread. Were you able to get in touch with your contact who could potentially photograph/video my dad’s final landing? Thanks so much in advance!
How fun!! Will be keeping an eye out and trying to nab the shot for ya.
Amazing, thank you so much Christina!
So cool! Can I send you a gift card for your dad as well? Huge fans of aviation and we create all kinds of art for retirements, etc… 08left.com – is you’re interested, let me know! And congrats to your dad!
Wow Ryan, that is incredibly kind of you!! My dad loves anything aviation-related and would be thrilled. Let me know how I should send you my info.
Thank you again!!!
Awesome, shoot me an email at ryan@08left.com!
Hi Brett,
Yes, bittersweet for sure!
My mom, my boyfriend, and I will be on the flight, but none of us have window seats unfortunately.
If your contact is available, that would so amazing. Let me know if there are any other details I can provide.
Thank you so much again!!
Brett, Thanks for your podcasts and writings about Cranky Dork Fest. It’s made me aware of this great plane spotting place. I live in Connecticut so I’m not likely to attend, but I just flew into LAX from Shanghai. I’ll spend a few days here visiting some different aviation and automotive things that I’m interested in.
I’m at the In-N-Out Burger right this minute. Thanks for making me aware.