Amazing Race

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:08 am

ulysses5019 wrote:

littlebeast13 wrote:

Bob Juch wrote:

clem21 wrote:

Cuz I may well be stranded there...obviously all flights to the east coast were cancelled but we managed to find one that connects in SLC tomorrow night. Unfortunately it'll be a good chance that THAT ONE will get cancelled too :evil:

So anyone around that I can bunk by? For serious possibly? I'll take free sympathy too :cry:

If you can make it to Denver you can sleep on my sofabed.

I think this would have the makings of the next reality show hit.....

lb13

Sounds like the end of a bad Amazing Race episode.

Speaking of which...

[Reveal] Spoiler:

OK, it wasn't a bad episode necessarily but could the brother/sister combo have possibly combined more bad luck and maudlin sibling angst into one episode???? They went out with an almost 2 hour head start and then nearly completed decompensated. Even if they had not had the bad luck with the first flight I am not sure they would have finished much better. Had the older couple not made a bad flight choice they could easily have finished last. I am sure it is stressful and all but that seemed a bit over the top. Dude, let go of the control freak button and back away slowly...

A shame about the older couple but they violated a cardinal rule. Don't take a tight connection when you know there is no later flight at the connection point just to save a few minutes over a direct flight because you know at some point they are going to bunch folks up again anyway (in this case the train). They paid the price.

Looks like it was a rest stop at the start that was longer than the usual 12 hours, which they seem to do occasionally, perhaps to let the teams catch up on sleep, laundry and the like. Would be interested in reading an inside account of what life on the race is really like. Anybody come across anything like that?

peacock2121 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:58 am **Posts:** 15609

I wanted his arrogance to get him. I wanted him to pay the price. I hope both of them get it. She needed to take a stand.

earendel · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:16 am

The brother/sister couple isn't going to last much longer, IMO, because brother is too much the control freak. How many times did sister suggest that they turn around, even noting that the markers were the wrong colors? Granted, the mechanical failure on the airplane put them back in the pack, from which they could have easily been the last team to arrive.

As for the older couple, they, too, ran into some bad luck with their flight. I realize that they probably shouldn't have tried to make the tight connection, but fog shutting down the airport and grounding flights was a bit of bad luck.

One would assume that those doing the race would have watched previous editions - how could the dating couple let their bag, containing all their money and their passports, get out of their sight. Not meaning to stereotype the gypsies, but that was just asking for trouble (I suppose CBS had some arrangement with them, so theft wasn't as likely).

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:26 am

earendel wrote:

The brother/sister couple isn't going to last much longer, IMO, because brother is too much the control freak. How many times did sister suggest that they turn around, even noting that the markers were the wrong colors? Granted, the mechanical failure on the airplane put them back in the pack, from which they could have easily been the last team to arrive.

As for the older couple, they, too, ran into some bad luck with their flight. I realize that they probably shouldn't have tried to make the tight connection, but fog shutting down the airport and grounding flights was a bit of bad luck.

One would assume that those doing the race would have watched previous editions - how could the dating couple let their bag, containing all their money and their passports, get out of their sight. Not meaning to stereotype the gypsies, but that was just asking for trouble (I suppose CBS had some arrangement with them, so theft wasn't as likely).

I can kinda forgive setting the fannypack down in the heat of the moment although I agree it is a dangerous thing to do. Likely something I would do myself given my sometimers disease.

But it is hard to have much sympathy when people approach the game without seeming to have watched it before or trying to formulate a plan of attack, whether it be AR, Survivor or BAM for that matter.

Hopefully a certain BB isn't going to make that mistake when they get the happy card form the AR producers! I want to be able to root for them and live vicariously without having to mutter under my breath...

sunflower · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:35 am

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:53 am

earendel wrote:

As for the older couple, they, too, ran into some bad luck with their flight. I realize that they probably shouldn't have tried to make the tight connection, but fog shutting down the airport and grounding flights was a bit of bad luck.

I doubt the fog had anything to do with it. The KLM flight they missed was likely the last flight out of Amsterdam going to Bucharest that evening according to my flight searchs (not like Bucharest is exactly a "hot" detination after all! There was a one hopper on Malev Hungarian around that time also but nothing later, at least not currently). Fog or no fog, when they missed that flight they were stuck until the next morning. Important to look at things like that when deciding what flight to take.

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:59 am

sunflower wrote:

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

Recall that Dallas left his in a taxi and the camera man that was with him apparently watched it happen as it is shown at one point lying in the floor of the taxi but did nothing to help him out. They got stranded in Russia as a result. I would guess the crew is pretty hands off unless it is a real immediate safety issue.

sunflower · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:20 pm

tanstaafl2 wrote:

sunflower wrote:

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

Recall that Dallas left his in a taxi and the camera man that was with him apparently watched it happen as it is shown at one point lying in the floor of the taxi but did nothing to help him out. They got stranded in Russia as a result. I would guess the crew is pretty hands off unless it is a real immediate safety issue.

Yeah, I remember that. But I'm talking about during the actual scheduled challenges. Sometimes they have their cabs wait, and leave the bags in the car. Sometimes you see them with their bags at one point, then not during a challenge...for example if they have something like a zipline challenge that both team mates participate in, what happens to the bags? I'm sure during some challenges there is some instruction about where to leave your bags and how to be reunited with them later. Maybe not though, maybe they're left on their own to figure it out. I'm curious now.

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:26 pm

sunflower wrote:

tanstaafl2 wrote:

sunflower wrote:

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

Recall that Dallas left his in a taxi and the camera man that was with him apparently watched it happen as it is shown at one point lying in the floor of the taxi but did nothing to help him out. They got stranded in Russia as a result. I would guess the crew is pretty hands off unless it is a real immediate safety issue.

Yeah, I remember that. But I'm talking about during the actual scheduled challenges. Sometimes they have their cabs wait, and leave the bags in the car. Sometimes you see them with their bags at one point, then not during a challenge...for example if they have something like a zipline challenge that both team mates participate in, what happens to the bags? I'm sure during some challenges there is some instruction about where to leave your bags and how to be reunited with them later. Maybe not though, maybe they're left on their own to figure it out. I'm curious now.

You could be right about that as I am not sure either. Could be they are trusting the cabbies. Of course the cabbies obviously know something is up since there is a camera man following them around and at the challenges probably a producer or two as well.

I have looked briefly once or twice for some kind of in depth diary or report on the experience by a cast member but nothing has ever jumped out as a good source.

earendel · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:35 pm

sunflower wrote:

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

Given what happened to one team last season I would cling to my passport and money as tightly as possible.

earendel · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:36 pm

tanstaafl2 wrote:

earendel wrote:

As for the older couple, they, too, ran into some bad luck with their flight. I realize that they probably shouldn't have tried to make the tight connection, but fog shutting down the airport and grounding flights was a bit of bad luck.

I doubt the fog had anything to do with it. The KLM flight they missed was likely the last flight out of Amsterdam going to Bucharest that evening according to my flight searchs (not like Bucharest is exactly a "hot" detination after all! There was a one hopper on Malev Hungarian around that time also but nothing later, at least not currently). Fog or no fog, when they missed that flight they were stuck until the next morning. Important to look at things like that when deciding what flight to take.

Was there been a flight to another destination from which they could have booked a flight to Bucharest? If so, then the fog was a definite factor.

a1mamacat · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:04 pm

tanstaafl2 wrote:

sunflower wrote:

tanstaafl2 wrote:

sunflower wrote:

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

Recall that Dallas left his in a taxi and the camera man that was with him apparently watched it happen as it is shown at one point lying in the floor of the taxi but did nothing to help him out. They got stranded in Russia as a result. I would guess the crew is pretty hands off unless it is a real immediate safety issue.

Yeah, I remember that. But I'm talking about during the actual scheduled challenges. Sometimes they have their cabs wait, and leave the bags in the car. Sometimes you see them with their bags at one point, then not during a challenge...for example if they have something like a zipline challenge that both team mates participate in, what happens to the bags? I'm sure during some challenges there is some instruction about where to leave your bags and how to be reunited with them later. Maybe not though, maybe they're left on their own to figure it out. I'm curious now.

You could be right about that as I am not sure either. Could be they are trusting the cabbies. Of course the cabbies obviously know something is up since there is a camera man following them around and at the challenges probably a producer or two as well.

I have looked briefly once or twice for some kind of in depth diary or report on the experience by a cast member but nothing has ever jumped out as a good source.

Try here

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index. ... 110.0.html

peacock2121 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:58 am **Posts:** 15609

If I remember right, the couple that missed their connection, chose the connecting flight that only gave them a 30 minute advantage. I would not choose a possible breakdown for a 30 minute advantage. I have missed connections enough times to know that a direct flight is the way to go.

Jeemie · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:30 pm

peacock2121 wrote:

If I remember right, the couple that missed their connection, chose the connecting flight that only gave them a 30 minute advantage. I would not choose a possible breakdown for a 30 minute advantage. I have missed connections enough times to know that a direct flight is the way to go.

Especially since so many times teams don't remember they don't have to be the fastest...they just have to not be the slowest.

ulysses5019 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:02 pm

Jeemie wrote:

peacock2121 wrote:

If I remember right, the couple that missed their connection, chose the connecting flight that only gave them a 30 minute advantage. I would not choose a possible breakdown for a 30 minute advantage. I have missed connections enough times to know that a direct flight is the way to go.

Especially since so many times teams don't remember they don't have to be the fastest...they just have to not be the slowest.

That's my strategy now in the rat race.

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:40 pm

earendel wrote:

tanstaafl2 wrote:

earendel wrote:

As for the older couple, they, too, ran into some bad luck with their flight. I realize that they probably shouldn't have tried to make the tight connection, but fog shutting down the airport and grounding flights was a bit of bad luck.

I doubt the fog had anything to do with it. The KLM flight they missed was likely the last flight out of Amsterdam going to Bucharest that evening according to my flight searchs (not like Bucharest is exactly a "hot" detination after all! There was a one hopper on Malev Hungarian around that time also but nothing later, at least not currently). Fog or no fog, when they missed that flight they were stuck until the next morning. Important to look at things like that when deciding what flight to take.

Was there been a flight to another destination from which they could have booked a flight to Bucharest? If so, then the fog was a definite factor.

You are right it is possible. But it is unlikely because Bucharest just isn't likely to be a major destination. I suspect there are very few flights going into Bucharest late at night. Also at a modern airport like Amsterdam it would have to be pretty foggy to stop flights. It didn't stop their connection from leaving right before they arrived!

With the exception of major hub airports there is typically very little activity at most airports between about midnight/1AM and 5AM. Even at major hub airports the late night hours are fairly quiet. Atlanta for example, often regarded as the busiest airport in the world and handling nearly a million flights a year (over 2700 each DAY!), has as many as 150 flights an hour during the day but has less than a dozen departures and a dozen arrivals between 12AM and 5AM. And most of those were closer to 5AM. Late night flight times also tend to be cargo haulers.

I suspect Bucharest as a good deal less busy!

Airport Activity

tanstaafl2 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:55 pm

a1mamacat wrote:

tanstaafl2 wrote:

sunflower wrote:

tanstaafl2 wrote:

sunflower wrote:

I don't know about the bag thing. You often see them running around without bags, either leaving them in cabs or at some other point. I would assume that there is some behind the scenes guidance on what they can/should do with them. I personally would at least make sure my cash and passport were always on me, but that's just me.

Recall that Dallas left his in a taxi and the camera man that was with him apparently watched it happen as it is shown at one point lying in the floor of the taxi but did nothing to help him out. They got stranded in Russia as a result. I would guess the crew is pretty hands off unless it is a real immediate safety issue.

Yeah, I remember that. But I'm talking about during the actual scheduled challenges. Sometimes they have their cabs wait, and leave the bags in the car. Sometimes you see them with their bags at one point, then not during a challenge...for example if they have something like a zipline challenge that both team mates participate in, what happens to the bags? I'm sure during some challenges there is some instruction about where to leave your bags and how to be reunited with them later. Maybe not though, maybe they're left on their own to figure it out. I'm curious now.

You could be right about that as I am not sure either. Could be they are trusting the cabbies. Of course the cabbies obviously know something is up since there is a camera man following them around and at the challenges probably a producer or two as well.

I have looked briefly once or twice for some kind of in depth diary or report on the experience by a cast member but nothing has ever jumped out as a good source.

Try here

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index. ... 110.0.html

Thanks. Seems to be a few insights here in between all the chit chat!

Sir_Galahad · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:35 pm

Is it my imagination or is the Pit Stop appearing a lot sooner in the show than before. It seems like the lead team is seeing the Pit Stop clue with like 20 minutes before the end of show. I don't recall it being that far out before. I hope they are not running out of places to see and things to do.

I think the available country list is shrinking a bit what with all of what's going on in the world, though. In my application they asked if there was any place in the world I did not want to visit. I told them Iran and Iraq although I would have liked to visit Baghdad in times past.

sunflower · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:48 pm

Sir_Galahad wrote:

Is it my imagination or is the Pit Stop appearing a lot sooner in the show than before. It seems like the lead team is seeing the Pit Stop clue with like 20 minutes before the end of show. I don't recall it being that far out before. I hope they are not running out of places to see and things to do.

I think the available country list is shrinking a bit what with all of what's going on in the world, though. In my application they asked if there was any place in the world I did not want to visit. I told them Iran and Iraq although I would have liked to visit Baghdad in times past.

Yes - much earlier!

In a way it's nice to see the order of things actually happening (before you'd see the front runner get to each of the challenges/pit stop, but you had no idea how far ahead they were) - to know one team is at the pit stop when other are still at the road block or detour is kind of cool. It does feel like there is a little less content though.

Sir_Galahad · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:21 pm

In the future I would like to see them post a clock in the corner of the screen as soon as the first team hits the Pit Stop. This would show the time differentials between the teams. I think that would be interesting to follow.

sunflower · **Posted:** Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:30 pm

Sir_Galahad wrote:

In the future I would like to see them post a clock in the corner of the screen as soon as the first team hits the Pit Stop. This would show the time differentials between the teams. I think that would be interesting to follow.

That would be cool!! You can sometimes piece it together when they depart at the beginning of the show when they show their departure times. I'm often shocked at how close teams are sometimes, or how far apart they are other times. The way they edit, you really have no sense of it, unless it's such a difference that it's a different time of day.

MarleysGh0st · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:01 am

sunflower wrote:

Sir_Galahad wrote:

In the future I would like to see them post a clock in the corner of the screen as soon as the first team hits the Pit Stop. This would show the time differentials between the teams. I think that would be interesting to follow.

That would be cool!! You can sometimes piece it together when they depart at the beginning of the show when they show their departure times. I'm often shocked at how close teams are sometimes, or how far apart they are other times. The way they edit, you really have no sense of it, unless it's such a difference that it's a different time of day.

I'd like to see the clock, but that would ruin their ability to edit to increase the artificial tension, so TPTB would never go for it.

Rexer25 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:28 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:

sunflower wrote:

Sir_Galahad wrote:

In the future I would like to see them post a clock in the corner of the screen as soon as the first team hits the Pit Stop. This would show the time differentials between the teams. I think that would be interesting to follow.

That would be cool!! You can sometimes piece it together when they depart at the beginning of the show when they show their departure times. I'm often shocked at how close teams are sometimes, or how far apart they are other times. The way they edit, you really have no sense of it, unless it's such a difference that it's a different time of day.

I'd like to see the clock, but that would ruin their ability to edit to increase the artificial tension, so TPTB would never go for it.

Yeah, and how long before contestants and potential contestants start referring to TDC?

MarleysGh0st · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:31 am

Rexer25 wrote:

MarleysGh0st wrote:

sunflower wrote:

Sir_Galahad wrote:

In the future I would like to see them post a clock in the corner of the screen as soon as the first team hits the Pit Stop. This would show the time differentials between the teams. I think that would be interesting to follow.

That would be cool!! You can sometimes piece it together when they depart at the beginning of the show when they show their departure times. I'm often shocked at how close teams are sometimes, or how far apart they are other times. The way they edit, you really have no sense of it, unless it's such a difference that it's a different time of day.

I'd like to see the clock, but that would ruin their ability to edit to increase the artificial tension, so TPTB would never go for it.

Yeah, and how long before contestants and potential contestants start referring to TDC?

Well now, this show has always been a race. Adding a clock would just make it a more honest one for the viewers.

Jeemie · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:43 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:

sunflower wrote:

Sir_Galahad wrote:

In the future I would like to see them post a clock in the corner of the screen as soon as the first team hits the Pit Stop. This would show the time differentials between the teams. I think that would be interesting to follow.

That would be cool!! You can sometimes piece it together when they depart at the beginning of the show when they show their departure times. I'm often shocked at how close teams are sometimes, or how far apart they are other times. The way they edit, you really have no sense of it, unless it's such a difference that it's a different time of day.

I'd like to see the clock, but that would ruin their ability to edit to increase the artificial tension, so TPTB would never go for it.

The tension is indeed artifical...esepcially since, most of the time, when they try and "sow doubt" as to the order of certain teams, the order doesn't change anyway.

I'm trying to remember the last time they tried to sow doubt as to the order of finish of the next-to-last-team and the last place team, that the order actually changed.

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