ABQ Balloon Fiesta III -> Crewing & Flying
PRE-POST NOTE -This is another insanely long post, but hopefully it’s helpful. Last long one, I promise 🙂
To understand the source of this craziness one must rewind several months to where I discovered the idea of crewing. The basic premise of this is that you can sign up to be a volunteer crew for one of the ~550 balloonists that attend Balloon Fiesta each year. Some balloonists come to Fiesta with a regular (fixed) crew, but many do not and/or they’re short on crew, so they rely on volunteers to make up the difference, and the Fiesta folks help them achieve that. The larger the balloon, the larger the crew required to wrangle the heavy fabric and control the inflation. Some of the biggest special-shape balloons can easily use 15-20 people!
For the folks who decide to volunteer it gets you right smack in the middle of the action and provides a much deeper experience than just walking around the field. Not only that but it gets you a FREE entry pass into the entire week of events at Fiesta, plus (and this is the super juicy bit) it typically also gets you the chance of a FREE FLIGHT!!!
In addition, the longer you crew the better your chances of going up.
If you just crew for a day or two you’ll still have an interesting experience learning the whole balloon business, but you probably won’t fly. However if you commit for the week & provide good support there’s a really, really good chance of flying. I talked to tons of different volunteer crew members at Fiesta and most of them got to fly at least once.
All of which explains why I was on the field at this ungodly hour instead of in deep bunny rabbit balloon REM sleep.
But before I get into the depths of my personal experience and whether all this was worth it, let me cover a few practical items first:
Volunteer Crewing FAQ’s
How Do I Meet My Pilot? Once you’re assigned you’ll either get the chance to contact him/her directly (if you’re given contact info) or just walk up to them on the field and introduce yourself as new volunteer crew. The Balloon Fiesta launch field is divided into a “grid pattern” of letters and numbers (there are big white posts to indicate them on the field), and each balloon is assigned a particular grid area for launch. So, it’s super easy to find your balloon once you’re assigned.
Do I Need Any Special Training? You’ll typically be required to watch a safety video, but otherwise you don’t need any special training. Just be ready to listen to the pilot’s instructions and don’t touch or move anything on the balloon unless told to do so. Oh and the #1 rule? Never, ever step on the balloon material…pilots get kinda testy with that one 🙂
Do I Need to Be Physically Fit? Well…somewhat. You’ll be helping to pull out the big wicker baskets, pull out heavy balloons and holding onto the wicker baskets as the balloon inflates (or holding onto guide lines). Then you’ll need to help pack it all up again when the pilot lands, which often involves crawling around on your hands and knees to deflate/roll and hauling heavy balloon material into a bag. I found it fairly physically demanding, but not overly so. There are lots of older crew members who volunteer, but you do need to be mobile and willing to walk & haul equipment.
How Often Do I Need To Crew? Most pilots attend multiple events. The majority will go up every morning during Mass Ascension, some will do Dawn Patrol (= pre-dawn inflation & flight), and most will also do evening Glow (= post-sunset inflation & glow. This happens 4-5 times during Fiesta). As a crew member you’ll typically be on the field ~1 hour before whatever event you’re crewing for (so, for Mass Ascension that means you’ll be there between 6-6:30AM), and if the pilot is flying you’ll also be part of the chase and recovery team, which will usually take you off-site and consume several more hours of time after launch is done (you might not be done until 9-10AM). There’s no requirement for you (as a volunteer) to do everything the pilot does, but most pilots do come to rely on their crew and there’s a kind of mutual understanding that once you start crewing you’ll be there for them. Plus the longer you crew, the better your chances of flying.
Can I Crew Part-Time? It’s possible yes. Most pilots rely on their crew to be there once they commit, so if you can’t make make event, just be up-front with your pilot and communicate that ahead of time. The worst thing you can do IMHO is “ditch” your pilot with no warning.
Are There Any Extra Perks? Besides the free Fiesta entry pass & the chance to fly (which is really the ultimate perk!), many pilots will share goodies and/or time with their crew members. Amongst other things you might get free invites to some of the pilot events, you might get free breakfast badges for the pilot area, you might get a free crew parking pass, you might get a T-shirt or a balloon pin (which are coveted & traded items at Fiesta). Also some pilots are party animals and have tail-gate parties after every single flight, whereas others are more business-like and intense. It ALL depends on the individual pilot and since pilots are very individual the experience can be….well…individual (I’m quite the smarty pants, am I not?)
How Was Our Experience?
Now Steiger is a rather intense guy who usually does technical, extreme stuff like flying over Zion and other such record-breaking things. He had no personal crew and had been ditched without warning by his first volunteer crew so he was pretty stressed/intense when we first showed up. But after a few days of working together like a well-oiled balloon machine he loosened up and we ended up with a solidly-tight crew & a totally enjoyable partnership. Plus he’s an all-round decent guy, travels with a lovely doggie (always bonus points in my book) and a super-sweet girlfriend Carla.
He flew two balloons at Fiesta, a regular round one Fleur De Lys and a special shape Baby Blue (a huge blue whale), and we crewed for both. I got to fly TWICE (!!!) the first time over an hour, while Paul and his dad flew along the Rio Grande & even dipped in the water. Pretty frikkin’ amazing!
In return we worked diligently for the guy every morning and several evenings too. Our last 5-hour epic-shift we even packed and inflated the balloon twice (once for launch, once again after flight because it was wet and needed to dry out). We also got crew parking passes, entry to pilot/crew breakfast area, a group meal at the Mule Barn and a margarita & potluck evening. Par-TAY, baby!!
All in all it was fun, socially intense, hard work, amazing & exhausting! I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Our Words Of Wisdom?
DO Crew Later In The Week -> Crewing can be exhausting and crazy, but it’ll immerse you into the ballooning experience in a whole different way. You’ll get up-close to the action, you’ll bond with your team-mates & pilot, you’ll learn a ton about ballooning and maybe, just maybe you’ll get to rise up in the air and float the currents like a feather in the sky. There’s nothing quite like it.
If You’re Not Enjoying Yourself, Stop It -> This is a volunteer position & if you’re not meshing with your team/pilot or you’re not enjoying yourself, or you’re not able to manage physically you have the absolute right to call it quits. You can always switch balloons (like we did) or just stop the job altogether.
Are There Any Other Ways To Fly?
If you just want to fly you can easily pay for a Balloon Flight with the Rainbow Ryders. They have big-basket balloons that can accomodate 10 or so people at a time. They take off right after Dawn Patrol from the launch field and offer 4.5 hr rides. It’s not cheap tho’ as it’ll cost you $425/person (2015 rates).
Useful Links:
- ABQ Ballon Fiesta Safety Video -> Click HERE
- ABQ Ballon Fiesta Volunteering Info (for other types of volunteer positions) -> Click HERE
Another super helpful and exciting post! Thanks so much for putting all the details and info together! Now I just have to wait an entire year to put it all to good use. But excited none the less.
Sure hope you guys get to go. I know you’d do an awesome video of it all!
Nina
Another great article…such beautiful photos and love your writing style! We hope to be full timing soon and thank you for your inspiration and generosity in sharing all you share…safe travels! Angie
Thank you to the lovely compliment 🙂
Nina
Thankyou for “Ballooning for Dumbies”. These writeups were so helpful, it is so nice to have someone run the gauntlet for you. Definately added to our bucket list now that most of the questions have been answered.
Glad I could answer most of your questions. These last 2 posts morphed into much longer posts than I thought they’d be!
Nina
Thank you so much for the great insights! It makes me want to go next year. I’ve wanted to for a while, but now that I know about volunteering, I’m so ready! Well done!
There are also other volunteering jobs at Fiesta such as being part of the grounds folk (greeting, RV checkin etc.), but I think crewing is by far the most interesting of the lot.
Nina
Hot chicks always get balloon rides. 🙂 Can’t explain how Paul got to one…or two.
Kidding aside, I have no doubt that any rides offered were earned. I can imagine it was lots of work. But fun work.
Thank you SO much for the time you spent on giving us insight and some do’s and don’t.
I’d like to think it was my natural hotness that got me a ride, but it may just have been the hot air LOL. It was hard work, but well worth it. Even tho I went up twice, I’m still a bit jealous that Paul got to dip in the water on his ride…what an experience!
Nina
An absolutely great series of posts! Very informative and detailed with awesome pictures! How exciting for you all to be there as spectators and volunteers. Exactly how I would want to experience this. The ABQ Balloon Fiesta has always been at the top of my bucket list but I just haven’t been able to make it happen. I WILL make it happen in 2016. Thanks!
Excellent!! So happy I’ve inspired you to go. Hope your experience will be as magical as ours was!
Nina
I’ve always wanted to go to this. Never thought that crewing was a possibility. Another item on the bucket list.
Thank you Nina.
Crewing was SO much fun. I’m really happy we got to do it, even though it ended up being more work than I imagined.
Nina
I’ll echo the well earned advice here… crewing is a commitment, a lot of work and so totally worth it!
We had no intention of crewing (given we were also doing our day jobs, co-hosting Xscapers and already downright tired on arrival). We were so thankful to find a crew that was committed, but accepting of us showing up when we could to assist. It made the whole process for everyone go quick when they had the extra help, but weren’t left short handed when we had other obligations (we wouldn’t have gotten involved any other way.) And we LOVED it… yes, we both got to fly, but honestly – we just loved the whole immersive experience of being involved.
Also, each pilot is so entirely unique. Ours was more into the competition events than the touristy show stuff… so our team had no glows, and our pilot actually canceled 3 mass ascensions (which allowed us guilt free time to just explore, or sit back and enjoy the balloon fly overs at home).
And I definitely concur, for first timers – committing the whole week is tough. We advise the variety pack – enjoy the festival as an attendee, and there are always opportunities to jump in and crew too that will be appreciated.
And woman.. you are darn dedicated! Both in your crewing, and cranking out these highly informative posts so soon after the event. Just what was in those margaritas you had?? 🙂
GREAT set of additional tips! Of course you’ve been quite the active woman yourself these past 2 weeks…Xscapers, work, blogging. You are amazing! So glad we got to hang a bit, even with the craziness of everything going on. Till next time!
Nina
Everything you said goes for me too…I also got to go up twice and it was awesome…this was the second Fiesta I have been to and crewed for ….this one was the best…we also got to go to pilots lunches and awards dinner..also fun and as Nina says a lot of hard work…well worth it in my opinion…how many people do you know that can spend their 41 wedding anniversary with their husband so high up in the air and slapping the Rio Grande….what a great report you wrote Nina…..
It was a blast crewing together Jil. So glad we got to spend the time, and that you were able to get such an amazing anniversary ride. We’ll miss you and Tom!
Nina
I don’t know – seems like a lot of hot air to me:)!
I’m pretty sure you and Paul may need do this again in a few years, as the pictures left in question whether or not you enjoyed yourselves! (NOT!)
And you nailed so many things about life in general. If you are not enjoying yourself, STOP. Take a moment, and change tack – a new course, can make a huge difference in your enjoyment factor!!!
Have enjoyed all of the ABQ posts – and glad you and Paul made it on time, and had so much fun in the end.
Best,
Smitty
Yeah, I’m not sure I got quite enough pics…I’m going to have to come back LOL. Happy to hear you enjoyed the posts!
Nina
Thank you for such great information– I am TOTALLY going to try crewing the next time I go. You’re absolutely right, though, that just being an attendee for a few days the first time around is fulfilling enough to the senses. No need to start overloading that from the get-go.
It was SO TERRIFIC to finally meet up with you (thanks Cherie!). I look forward to meeting Paul & the fur kids next time around!
It was truly terrific to meet you too, Lynne!!
Nina
One important piece of advice while crewing seems to be: never EVER go anywhere near a balloon with a dangling rope; read here for a sobering story:
http://rollinginarv-wheelchairtraveling.blogspot.com.br/p/accident.html
I have really enjoyed your 3 posts on Balloon Fiesta. My wife and just attended our first and your posts echo our feelings. It is definitely a bucket list item. Already looking forward to our 2nd Balloon Fiesta.
That sounds like a great experience. I have always wanted to go up in a balloon but there is no way I will get my husband up there. Thanks for the interesting look into a unique volunteer opportunity
Crewing would definitely work for you, if hubby would want to do it. We had a gal on our crew team who had no interest in flying, which was actually a bonus for the rest of us since we ALL wanted to go. There’s no requirement to fly if you crew, and you still get all the other perks (free pass, possibility of attending pilots lunch/dinner events, being close to the action etc.).
Nina
Thank you for your very informative posts and the great photos!
Crewing sounds like lots of hard work and lots of fun. We may have to look into that when , and if, we get to the Festival.
You got it exactly right…hard work and lots of fun. Like the best things in life IMHO 🙂
Nina
I crewed for a gentleman years ago at the Scottsdale Balloon Festival and had a blast flying. We skirted the orange groves over the valley and skimmed the water in the CAP canal. Very fun for a 20’s something gal. I would love to see the mother of all balloon festivals. Your photos are awesome!
Sounds magical! The crewing experience definitely “solidified” Balloon Fiesta for me. I loved being there to look at the balloons, but crewing made it that much more intimate, even tho’ it ended up being way more work than I thought it’d be. Sooooo happy we volunteered!
Nina
Thank you very much for the information – both of your post are excellent.
Definitely you are helping us to organize the visit for 2016
Awesome writing, so natural – I wish I can write like that 🙂 – I enjoyed only posting in Facebook, it is easy for me.
We are planning to move west January/February – reading your blogs help a lot to plan a route. Very excited!!
ps. AWESOME Pics!!
Sometimes blogging is definitely more work than I want. Of course part of the problem is I’m a tad OCD & a perfectionist so I get these ideas, and then end up working on them waaaay longer than I originally intended in order to get them exactly the way I want. I think my first plan for Balloon Fiesta was maybe 1-2 short posts, and now I’m up to 3- 4 huge ones!! Still I can’t deny that I enjoy sharing the info & pics.
Good travels West to you!!
Nina
How fun! You have really put this on our To Do List. Thanks for all the info.
My fear of heights would likely keep me out of the basket, but participating on a crew would really increase the overall enjoyment I think. Has to be a sense of pride to see “your” balloon take flight! Love the pics of Steiger – makes the pilot piece very real, and that is so often overlooked. Appreciate all the great tips (again).
I admit I had a bit of jello legs & hyperventilation when the basket first lifted off. Took some deep breathing and mental games before I was able to calm down and enjoy it. Funnily enough once we got really high I was ok…something about the ground being far enough away that it didn’t look real?
In any case it was fun to be there for the launches even when I didn’t fly. Plus interacting with the crowd as part of a balloon crew is a blast!
Nina
Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive write-up, following your experiences, Nina!
As I read along, I was thinking about how I want us to be able to enjoy the whole experience as spectators, and not be working hard the entire time. You solved that dilemma for me, with your recommendation to enjoy for a few days before deciding if you want to crew.
I’d also worry about Pipa being left alone for too much time without us, and with pups not allowed on the grounds, we’d have to work out those logistics.
If we can finally get past this seemingly never-ending, crazy 2015 of cottage renovation and house-selling, we really hope to make it to the Fiesta next Oct.
Totally understand the doggie concern. Most of our crewing experiences were in the early AM. So, we’d leave the rig at around 6:00 and we’d typically be back around 9:00 or 10:00 which worked out fine (we feel OK leaving doggie for up to 4 hours). We’d walk doggie before we left, and then go out again when we got back.
However the days we had to crew twice (AM Mass Ascension and PM Glow) that got to be a bit much and doggie definitely spent more time alone than we like. If you decide to crew and are worried about Pipa, I’d recommend telling the pilot up-front that you’re only available to crew in the AM. Or, just one of you crew at a time (there are plenty of “singles” who crew, both gals and guys).
The good thing is that every day from about mid-morning to afternoon (~10:00 to 17:00) there were no events and we were totally free, so we had plenty of time to hang with the pets and take Polly to the park.
Hope that helps!
Nina
Thank you very much for the time and effort you share with your readers. You are a very accomplished writer and I enjoy your posts immensely. Clearly the time you share preparing your posts must take away from personal exploration and time with hubby Paul. I realized I had been making purchases from Amazon and not going through your link first but I will make a conscious effort to correct that going forward. You deserve to be compensated for your talent.
All the best to you and Paul!
Barrie
Thank you so much for the lovely words and the gesture! I certainly appreciate every purchase made thro’ our link 🙂
Nina
I have really enjoyed your posts about the balloon fiesta. My brother and his wife have been crewing at the fiesta for many years. Now he is a launch director and his wife is a pilot!
Oh sweeeet! Since we were crewing we got to talk to a lot of the launch directors (Zebras), and most of them had been doing it for years just like your brother & wife. The Fiesta is an addicting event 🙂
Nina
I am so hooked on your blog, as I am about 2 years away from RV’ing it 6 months a year! Reading your ABQ posts were how I started my day!
Keep up the amazing job and incredibly useful information!
Investing is also my hobby, so I get a double dose with Paul’s blogs too!
All the best to you both, and the furry friends!
Leonard
Always great to hear I started someone’s day right! Best of luck w/ all your plans for RVing. Part-time is a great way to go, and lots of folks get a TON of enjoyment out of RVing 6 months a year.
Nina
Nina,
Thanks so much for all of the posts on this wonderful event. I now have this on my bucket list! Beautiful pictures!!
Laura
Excellent! It’s most definitely a bucket list item. You won’t regret it!
Nina
I am soooo doing this! Thank you so much for the info. Passing this post along as a must see.
Great write ups! As always, the photography is superb. I wondered if you’d go up in a balloon, given your dislike of heights. That’s so cool that you went and enjoyed it.
Your joy in the experience shines through in this post, Nina. I never really thought about crewing (I’m not that fond of flying) but you’ve inspired me with your enthusiasm. I like the idea of attending the festival without committing right away. 🙂
Would I still get the launch field pass for the entire week if I only want to crew for the last half of the fiesta?
You will once you start crewing, but not before. We got a full week pass only because we signed up to crew from the start and the pilot didn’t need (or want) us for the first few days. So you could say we lucked out and got several days of free entry that we really didn’t work for. It’s not typical tho’ and you usually won’t get a pass until you actually start volunteering.
Nina
Just fabulous pictures Nina and you must definitely return to do more of them. Such really all encompassing information is so helpful to all of us for whom this is a bucket list item. You never seem to leave out anything. Thanks so much
Must have almost rubbed elbows with you at the Fiesta. We crew for Black Magic and Purple Haze balloons. Glad you got to do a splash and dash (dip in the Rio Grande river) and sorry about your first pilot’s attitude. There is a Red Rocks Fiesta in December every year that is more fun than the Albuquerque gathering but fewer balloons. You are probably way south by then. See you on the road sometime.
The Red Rocks fiesta sounds awesome. I’m sure we crossed paths somewhere in that big field out there.
Nina
Thank you for sharing this was so much fun reading.
Just hear about boon docking this last week and have been researching and boy!! does it look like something i’d love to look farther into. My hubby wont be retired for a few more years and he like to research things for a long time to know the ins and outs. I’m looking forward to reading more about this and all the book docking has to offer.