What's up with Bethel, AK? (Anchorage: work, local, friend)

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by JoshuaD

... I am considering moving out to Bethel later this year. The one thing I can't find info on just yet is brining a vehicle. ... I am 28, single, 2 dogs, and I am just looking for an adventure.

You said the key word: adventure.

People who like adventure tend to like Alaska. If you want to be doing something new every day, you'll stay. But people who want to have a daily routine down pat so they know what they'll be doing in two weeks and to be positive they can handle it... think Alaska is a horror!

Alaska is an all day, every day, adventure. And Bethel is one of the more adventurous places in Alaska (probably 2nd only to Barrow!)

Someone above said they didn't like the people in Bethel; which is an astounding statement. Yup'ik (Central Alaskan Yupik) culture is most certainly different (and to put it mildly, it is extremely complex), but most people from other cultures find them to be the friendliest people anywhere in the world. The rest of the world could learn a great deal from Yup'ik culture!

Driving a subaru to Anchorage and shipping it to Bethel via barge is a good idea. Do a web search on "barge service bethel alaska" and you'll probably find schedules etc. Crowley and Northland Marine, if I remember right, are two that go to Bethel. The other option, which has some advantages (like, you get the car next week, and you can do it in any month of the year) is to use air freight. Everts Air and Northern Air Cargo would be at least two possible carriers. Note that air freight is expensive.

The best advice I can give you though... is to search through this forum for articles posted by Warptman. Look at his pictures, think about the topics he brings up. He was born and raised in Bethel, and demonstrates not only a true understanding of what Bethel and the people there are, he also provides a wonderful example.

[Rance]

Warptman. You should run for mayor of Bethel!

[Xa'at]

I'd vote for you!
Oh wait, you have to live in Bethel to vote for its mayor, right?
Well, you should still run. Although I'm not sure you'd like it. Lots of meetings, paperwork...

[warptman]

I run the master control at the radio station, I hate idiots, that would be everyone on the city council. All they do is fight amongst themselves.

[warptman]

You guys make me sound like a nice guy....:P

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by warptman

You guys make me sound like a nice guy....:P

Well there are a lot of folks there that share the same opinion.

[rotorhead]

Does NAC still put their patented door-dent into every car they ship? Something about trying to fit the cars in through the side-loading cargo door in the plane and turn the corner into the fuselage, as I recall. Turns out most cars are just a BIT too wide for that trick to work, but they make it work anyway.

[Blueberry]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

Does NAC still put their patented door-dent into every car they ship? Something about trying to fit the cars in through the side-loading cargo door in the plane and turn the corner into the fuselage, as I recall. Turns out most cars are just a BIT too wide for that trick to work, but they make it work anyway.

LOL! We didn't get a door dent, but we got a flying shell! Our truck (with a canopy shell) was flown to Bethel, and the carrier took out all the bolts holding the shell to the truck in case the shell was too tall. Well, the geniuses didn't replace the bolts, nor did they inform us they'd ever been removed. Lo and behold, we were driving down the road when I looked in the side mirror and saw the shell lift up and flop back down. Just as I was warning dh, the whole thing lifted off the truck and landed on the side of the road. Needless to say, we got a nice check in return, although I would have preferred to have the shell replaced.

As it turns out, we know several people who had the same experience as us. Not one of them, however, thought to warn us.

[JoshuaD]

Now there's an interesting piece of information. The only real body damage I have so far is a dent in the back from pushing it loose with a 80s suburban. It seems the bumpers on the two vehicles don't exactly match up. Oops.

I would imagine if I were to plan it right, I could fly out from Anchorage at the same day as the cargo flight with my car, and have it same day... now to find $3000.

[warptman]

Northern Air Cargo has a fleet of 737-200's now, they rarely take the old six's here, unless its under contract with the Airforce or Government to fly out to one of the Capes. I don't know if they put cars into the 737s.

As for flying the same day as the car, they fly cargo out on a space available basis, you could wait for days before you get your vehicle. Might want to look into that.