Relax? Relax!? How can I relax when I have to drive up and down the Schuylkill expressway in a (rented) Suzuki Forenza every day?

...seriously, does anyone have any tips?

 

You mean AIS isn't "live" like they say?

 

OMG, Engender, the Schuykill (a.k.a "Surekill") is a nightmare! I was on that during the ice storm that preceded the blizzard of January '96. About the only way I survived driving on that beast (which I did a lot) was to use every defensive driving trick in the book, and to never stop.

 

Yeah, I hope it will be easier to avoid stopping once I get the MINI. I need a car with enough pick up to close the gap between myself and the car infront of me so that no one will suddenly change lanes and cut me off, but so I don't need to jam on the gas and get right up on the bumper of the car in front of me. It's a delicate balance the requires a finesse machine... especially if I ever see that Pepto pink cadillac with "bada bing" on the plates again... that woman was insane!

Is there a book with defensive driving tips? that might be worth a read!

 

I think the satellite picture is not live, but info regarding ships in port and their position is, updated every 60 seconds. Still, we can all pretend that that is a live shot of the Tombarra, and those are our MINIs waiting to get on. I, for one, just know that that's my CR/B Clubman at the front of the last row of that kinda triangular group. Right, right?

I never knew I could be so prone to self-delusion until I ordered a MINI.

 

That's not your Clubman on the dock anymore; for your sake, I hope she's on the ship (which pulled out at just after 3:00 pm eastern time). If she was on Electra, she's been gone for a couple of hours.

Yes, AIS is way cool.

 

Finally I'm on the Tombarra to the big apple. 2 1/2 months is a long wait.
so much for instant gratification.

 

Engender,
how did you get a Suzuki Forenza? They gave me a Kia Sectra !!

 

Dude, I had a Dodge Neon at first - with a spoiler! But the Neon would shimmy when I was breaking at highway speeds, so I took it back the next day and they introduced me to the Forenza. It's not terrible, it just doesn't handle very well, doesn't have a lot a pick-up, and sounds like it's got a lawnmower engine.

 

Wow, my engine makes alot of noise but doesn't go anywhere. I damn near got sideswipped just pulling out of my development. I am glade I didn't get the Neon though

 

Sorry to hear about your current mode of transportation, Engender.....the Expressway can be difficult to negociate under the best of circumstances.
Since others here have verified making the Tombarra, looks like neither of us was so fortunate. Now we can only wait until Saturday for the Independence II leaving on Sept. 13. I'm disappointed, but then I already have a Mini to use on I-76 when I go to Bally's in King of Prussia. Oh well, nothing to check for the next five days.

 

I am on the Tombarra!!!! I checked my VIN this AM before work and it says my car is there. I have no idea when it actually leaves or has left the port. I will probably finish this email--and then check the WW line again for more up to date info! Should land in NYC by Sept 17!

 

I sure did. The process was easy and simple and they seemed to have more than enough pre-build slots available. MA was great, Amanda Hardwood.

 

Bon voyage to the Tombarra and Elektra folks! Got a text message from my MINI, who's waiting on the docks for the next ship out. He says that zarote's and MINIMotorMouth's MINIs looked very handsome rolling onto the Tombarra, and were very well-behaved. Some others were not, though, and made taunting "nyah, nyah" sounds at those left behind. I'll bet their owners won't wave, either!

 

Cheers, Tancred. Hope you can hitch a ride soon , hopefully by Friday.

Mine is on the Elektra and is cruising along nicely. The next project is to track her all the way through the Atlantic and probably keep an eye on those developing hurricanes .

Any suggestions for ship tracking websites? I tried sailwx.info but Elektra does not show up.

 

They have been painting my Clubby for 3 staright days now (according to ASK-MINI). It is ither they are doing an exceptionally GOOD job paining or the assembly conveyor got stuck with my car in the paint shop . Either way i did not make it onto the Elektra . And that unfortunatelly means Traviata for me and a week worth more of waiting and nail biting .

 

Hey could be worse were on a ship they can't find. and UK dosent have the best track record for ships on madein voyage to us

 

Naw, it's just using a cloaking device. Don't worry unless you hear about two crazy kids named Jack and Rose hanging around the bow. How's the midnight buffet?

 

So, when do you think our MINIs will arrive at the dealer? Think I can schedule a pick up for Sept. 26?

 

And waiting to be booked on the INDEPENDENCE ll ?!! Yay!

 

Obviously, it's hard to accurately predict much of anything. Still, if they're not backed up at the VDC and if there is little else to be done at Main Line it's possible you could be motoring by the 26th.....but don't count on it. I don't expect to be on the road until the following week now. My mantra for the rest of this week is, "Saturday is Independence Day!"

 

Yep. Released to carrier. There's no stoppin' us now!

 

Still no tracking of my VIN on the WW site... how about you, Herby?

 

No tracking info on ww here either.

 

no tracking available for me either!