In three days, hordes of avgeeks will descend on LAX for Cranky Dorkfest, and I’m excited to see you all there. We’ve had a ridiculous number of people say they’re coming this year… more than 1,400 at last check, and that’s with several cancels. Even with a 50 percent no-show rate, we’ll be on track for a record year, which is only slightly terrifying to imagine.

If you’ve submitted an RSVP but you can no longer come, please email cf@crankyflier.com to let us know.

The morning ramp visit at LAX filled up within 24 hours of opening RSVPs, and the waitlist is long. I wish we could do more, but LAX had us send the final list last night. Please DO NOT just show up since same day waitlist clearing isn’t happening.

The Cranky Dorkfest Main Event will be held, as always, from 11am to 1pm at the park across the street to the south of the In-N-Out Burger at 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

• The giveaway drawing is planned for 12pm, but you must have pre-registered to be entered to win prizes that airlines and other companies have generously donated
• If you have signed up already as part of your ramp visit registration, you are entered in the raffle
• If you have not signed up, you are still welcome at Cranky Dorkfest, and the RSVPs for the giveaway have closed
• We will pick names in advance and announce the winners at the event
• You must be present to win

With so many people potentially coming, parking may be an issue. I’m very pleased to say that The Parking Spot Sepulveda has stepped up to help us all out with a flat $12 special rate (plus tax) which is a huge discount off the regular price. The garage is right across from the park. How close is it? Look:

If you want to park there, you have to reserve in advance using the promo code CrankyDorkFest26 at theparkingspot.com. More detailed information is available on the recently-updated page at crankyflier.com/dorkfest.

With this year’s event ramping up, NYCAviation and Cranky have finally achieved a goal we set long ago. See, NYCAviation holds the annual SpotLAX event the same weekend as Dorkfest as we’ve jointly designed. We wanted to have next year’s date set before everyone shows up this year. With the second Saturday falling on September 11 next year, we will again wait a week to hold the event, but the date is now firm.

Cranky Dorkfest 2027 is September 18, 2027

So, mark your calendars now, or mark them when you come out this weekend. Either way, just know that the new date has been set.

If you have any questions, leave a comment here or email cf@crankyflier.com. See you in a few short days!