Cross the Pacific WB 2014 - Why was it never promoted?

Scott Norton · « **on:** November 01, 2014, 10:35:45 PM »

Apparently Cross the Pacific WB 2014 is tonight, and many pilots first heard of it within the past hour on Vattastic. Pouring over the flight sim community boards, I found no mention of this event aside from the page on the VATUSA event calendar. Why was this event not advertised anywhere else?

Matthew Bartels · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2014, 01:04:08 AM »

Quote from: Scott Norton

Apparently Cross the Pacific WB 2014 is tonight, and many pilots first heard of it within the past hour on Vattastic. Pouring over the flight sim community boards, I found no mention of this event aside from the page on the VATUSA event calendar. Why was this event not advertised anywhere else?

I wish I had a better answer for you on this. Events such as Cross the Pacific or Cross the Pond require an immense amount of coordination and lots of time to organize.

VATUSA did their part to advertise this event and provide some controllers for the Oceanic portion. Unfortunatley it seems as though the ball was dropped in many areas elsewhere.

This will be a learning opportunity for everyone involved with Cross the Pacific and will lead to an improved event in the future.

Christopher Stacy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2014, 05:37:39 AM »

Just for the record, I think it's actually Worldflight (http://www.worldflight.com.au)

Matthew Bartels · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2014, 05:38:53 AM »

Quote from: Chris Stacy

Just for the record, I think it's actually Worldflight (http://www.worldflight.com.au)

Worldflight was a separate event from this.

Don Desfosse · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2014, 12:36:16 PM »

I saw us staff up well for it, and thank you for that. But I only saw one plane leave the US for one of the event arrival airports. A real shame for all those controllers in the ARTCCs who geared up and participated. The good news, of course, is that our facilities were very well staffed and lots of nonevent pilots got a chance to enjoy great ATC.

I agree with Matt; the advertising for the event pretty much sucked. The event organizers would have to answer the OP's question, though, about why it wasn't more heavily advertised and talked up.

Hopefully, this will be a lesson learned and the advertising and excitement will be ramped up several notches next time.

Tom Seeley · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2014, 07:35:08 PM »

That ^^ is the polite response.

The fact is that an enhanced staffing level was requested for this non-event, and several individuals underwent special training to staff Oceanic positions for it. The organizers seriously dropped the ball here and future requests will have to be carefully considered.

Chris Robison · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2014, 07:38:09 PM »

Just curious on who was suppose to be the coordinators?

Christopher Stacy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2014, 08:29:44 PM »

Quote from: Matthew Bartels

Worldflight was a separate event from this.

Aah, ok gotcha. I saw a bunch of aircraft and staffed airspace and didn't realize there were 2 events happening in the same place at the same time

Don Desfosse · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2014, 06:34:00 AM »

Quote from: Chris Robison

Just curious on who was suppose to be the coordinators?

Interestingly, the persons "coordinating" this event have now removed almost all evidence and pages associated with the event from the VATSIM and VATUSA sites. I find that to be a disgusting attempt to hide information/evidence. Absolutely disgusting. And it will be remembered.

That said, here's what's left:

http://forum.vatusa.net/index.php?act=cale...p;event_id=1767

http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=66100

as well as a few emails, which will not be posted here.