Zulip Chat Archive
Stream: FoMM / Lean Together 2020
Topic: travel and hotel
Rob Lewis (Dec 28 2019 at 20:50):
The official conference hotel is the Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center. Note that there are a couple other Wyndhams in Pittsburgh, so the University Center part is important! If CMU booked a hotel for you, this is where you're staying.
Rob Lewis (Dec 28 2019 at 20:50):
The Wyndham is about an hour by bus from the airport -- take the 28X to Forbes and Bigelow, and walk to the other side of the giant evil-looking tower. I think you can get a ConnectCard at the airport to pay for the buses with stored value. It's probably worth it if you expect to take the bus more than just to/from the airport. If you pay cash, the bus drivers can't make change for you, which is annoying, so get some one dollar bills at the airport. There are also taxis, Lyft, Uber, etc, which will take 30-60 minutes depending on traffic and cost $40-60.
Rob Lewis (Dec 28 2019 at 20:50):
I think a fair number of people are arriving Sunday evening, so maybe you could coordinate shared rides.
Rob Lewis (Dec 28 2019 at 20:51):
The conference is in Baker Hall A51. It's a ~15 minute walk from the hotel. Baker Hall and Porter Hall are the same building, so you can enter into either. The CMU campus topography is a little confusing, we'll try to put up signs in Porter/Baker. wyndham-baker.png
Patrick Massot (Dec 28 2019 at 20:52):
About traveling, it's probably a good time to remember to ask for an ESTA authorization if needed.
Rob Lewis (Dec 28 2019 at 20:53):
Yes, if you need an ESTA and you haven't done it yet, don't wait any longer!
Kevin Buzzard (Dec 28 2019 at 21:16):
These things used to be issued in just a few minutes but there's a warning on the website now saying that it can take several days
Rob Lewis (Dec 28 2019 at 21:19):
Also, if CMU was supposed to book the hotel for you and you can't find the confirmation email, search for mail from Mary Grace Joseph. Apparently the emails don't contain the name "Wyndham" in text anywhere.
Patrick Massot (Dec 28 2019 at 21:30):
Mine contains the word Wyndham.
Sebastian Ullrich (Dec 29 2019 at 09:42):
Note that ESTAs are valid for two years; you can check on their website if yours is still valid
Sebastian Ullrich (Jan 03 2020 at 14:53):
I think a fair number of people are arriving Sunday evening, so maybe you could coordinate shared rides.
In case people are too polite to spam this chat with arrival times, let's try this quick spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nHH6RaKgz-HZxtUlvSgfLc2aMrgdhyvs2M975qU_JRQ/edit?usp=sharing
Rob Lewis (Jan 04 2020 at 16:12):
It seems like there may have been a miscommunication with the hotel about payments from CMU. If you were told your hotel room was booked and paid for: don't worry, it still is. The hotel might ask for a credit card to make a deposit or something. This is fine, you won't be charged, things will be resolved soon, but apparently there's nobody working at the hotel over the weekend who has the power to resolve this...
Rob Lewis (Jan 04 2020 at 16:13):
Sorry for the confusion. Hopefully you won't notice anything, and everything will be resolved soon enough. Just a warning there might be a hiccup.
Sebastian Ullrich (Jan 05 2020 at 22:58):
In case people are too polite to spam this chat with arrival times, let's try this quick spreadsheet:
Well, so much for the birthday paradox
(edit: oh, now we have actual collisions)
Johannes Hölzl (Jan 06 2020 at 00:29):
Manuel and I should be in the City around 8:20pm
Kevin Buzzard (Jan 06 2020 at 04:23):
A bunch of us are meeting at reception in the Wyndham at 8:50 to walk to CMU
Last updated: Dec 20 2023 at 11:08 UTC