This story reminds me how wise my son's football coach is. He told all of us parents in the annual preseason meeting that on time is late. At first we thought it was crazy coach talk but later realized if something is important you don't plan to show up at the last moment. You get there early.
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Why it's always good to be early...
- Thread starter Joe Nerve
- Start date
Actually I walked out to my car without it once, but I never forgot anything again. Well, other than a mic stand that was supposed to be in the car already.
In defense of myself for the original mistake, the car was packed to the gills with extra stuff. Even so... dumb! I think I was 23 or 24 at the time, about the age of guys that we complain about now.
I never use GPS - instead I use PGS (Paper Geographic System) which pretty much never lets me down.
Google Maps is OK but has two problems: 1) the resolution is terrible so you can't print off an area map and be able to see all the names of the side streets, unlike an actual map; 2) its route choices are way too cute - instead of just taking you on Hwy 400 up to 401 and having you take a right turn, it will send you on a two mile trek over a one lane dirt (not gravel) road, just to cut off that corner and save 400 feet total distance (ask me how I know about this). I suppose I could spend hours trying to figure out just which option got toggled to "no matter how ridiculous, show me every single short cut that while theoretically shorter, will actually take much longer and tear the bottom out of my car" mode, but good ol' Rand McNally hardly ever fails.
Google Maps is OK but has two problems: 1) the resolution is terrible so you can't print off an area map and be able to see all the names of the side streets, unlike an actual map; 2) its route choices are way too cute - instead of just taking you on Hwy 400 up to 401 and having you take a right turn, it will send you on a two mile trek over a one lane dirt (not gravel) road, just to cut off that corner and save 400 feet total distance (ask me how I know about this). I suppose I could spend hours trying to figure out just which option got toggled to "no matter how ridiculous, show me every single short cut that while theoretically shorter, will actually take much longer and tear the bottom out of my car" mode, but good ol' Rand McNally hardly ever fails.
Actually, traffic WAY down the road is factored into your ETA. Sometimes you actually gain time on the way because that traffic has cleared.
Yeah, I've tried that. High failure rate, very inconsistent and unreliable.
No substitute for leaving early and giving yourself plenty of extra time for important engagements.
Wow. Sounds like you have the same attitude about tardiness that my drummer has.
You know what we do to drummers around here don't you....?
Yeah, you guys think you know everything. But we always have to get our gigs so early that getting there any earlier would be ridiculous. So even if I'm running behind a little bit, I'm still 3 to 4 hours early anyway. So there! In your face!Wow. Sounds like you have the same attitude about tardiness that my drummer has.
You know what we do to drummers around here don't you....?
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
C'mon guys - it's a matter of common sense. I doubt most of you leave an hour early for work every day. You know the route, and the likely traffic issues.
I think @JimmyM has been getting decent gigs long enough where he knows not to blow it. He's one of the few paying his rent through gigging.
I think @JimmyM has been getting decent gigs long enough where he knows not to blow it. He's one of the few paying his rent through gigging.
You're right I don't - because my leave time for work takes into account that stuff happens and I'm always early there too.
So you do get to gigs early - why the dissident opinion about being on time?
I too, am a member of the early (arrival) club. My wife thinks I just want to get out sooner. Band mates just think I'm crazy....until something goes wrong.
Had the exact same situation as the OP, fortunately my second location was only 30 minutes away.
Had the exact same situation as the OP, fortunately my second location was only 30 minutes away.
I've been screwed similarly by Waze and Google a few times. For a gig it pays to call in advance and confirm.
- Oct 7, 2000
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I leave half an hour early for work. My day job is 15-20 minutes away. I've never been late in 22 years. I don't see any problem with that.
In high school I used to set my watch 10 minutes fast so I would be early to everything.
By the time I got to college I abandoned that technique because it made me too early. So I set it for the proper time and went back to being just plain early.
True story. Must be NYC thing.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Agreed - I always strive to be early, especially when I have to travel to a court out of the area. But these people are getting on an experienced bassist for not coming an hour early to every gig. I think he knows what to do. I also don't think many employees here are getting to work an hour or more early, as they suggest for a gig.
That is a complete misrepresentation, counselor.
I only advocated leaving early and with more time than you (and unreliable sources) think you need. Arrival time to gigs varies widely, especially when it's a venue you don't drive to every day at the same time (like a job).
No one is "getting on" anyone. Sheesh, lighten up people.
Get to work 10-20 minutes late every once in awhile, most of us won't lose our jobs. In my neighborhood, downbeat 10-20 minutes late gets you the stink eye from owner/manager and no repeat invitation. Making a living as a musician has nothing to do with it, been there, done that. It's the same for weekend warriors, except we rarely have airfare and car service.
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Nobody's getting on anybody - just pointing out that lateness does annoy the hell out of some people (yes me) - enough to get uninvited to a band or at least cause band mate problems. And, there is a huge philosophical difference between getting to work an hour early and doing so for a gig.
You go to your work everyday and for most of us, it is the same routine everyday. Yes there are traffic variables, but after a while you know what the expected pattern is and can plan to leave early enough on a regular basis to account for it. For a gig, you are very likely going to different venues and need to worry about how to get there, traffic patterns, where to park etc. Even if you happen to have a gig at a steady location that you can predict all of these variables, there are other reasons to be early.
For work, you probably don't have to worry about:
-where you're going to park so that you can do your load in
-keeping your gear secure while you do it
-having forgotten something that will permit you to do your job
-worry about how your band is going to fit on the stage
-worry about if there is appropriate power supply
-where's Bob?
-why aren't the lights working?
-sound check
-getting paid
all of these (plus probably others) are reasons to have ample time to account for stuff to happen
And also for work, unless you are chronically late, you most likely don't have to be too worried about having a job tomorrow if you are a bit late once and awhile - I don't imagine you get many rebooks if you're late for the downbeat at a gig.
All this, and so much more into the completely unforeseeable, especially if it's a venue you don't play every 4-6 weeks.
A couple of gigs ago, my drummer, "Mr. Reliable," forgets two pads to his electronic kit. He's never done anything like that before, and probably never will again. It would have ruined his (our) evening, at least the first set, had he arrived too late to do anything about it. Having arrived early, he phoned his wife who was able to pack up the missing pads and get them to him before downbeat.
Now, time for the smartasses to chime in with, "If you were a prepared professional you wouldn't need to worry." So, if that's you, I will deliver a pre-emptive "stuff it" up there on your high horse. Unforeseeable shizz happens to the best of us, and that extra time can be a life saver and help you do your job and maintain a good relationship with the talent buyer.
Wasn't that the obvious point of the OP? Where's the debate?
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okcrum
in your chest
Invalid Link Removed
There's also the Invalid Link Removed. They have good info not in the regular atlases if you stay updated, and availble online too.
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