Thanks to everyone for your support. I have decided to not close the F3J merchandise website this Friday as planned. We are making great progress on the goal and are currently about $1500 from our initial budget. Our last uncontrollable expense will be excess baggage charges for our models for the trip to Turkey. I had budgeted a substantial increase from the previous cycle, but the outlook of hitting that number is looking glum. Last cycle only a few pilots got dinged with excess baggage and they were only in the $75-$125 range. This year we have one more pilot and the excess baggage situation looks pretty grim. We have heard of the possibility of charges as high as $500 each way for our model boxes. What actually happens at the airports is really up to the gate agents and skycaps. We are hoping for some mercy, but need to be prepared for the worst.
As a result I am keeping the merchandise site open though our return when we will have the final numbers for our expenses. It feels like a small miracle to be as close to the goal as we are and we want to thank everyone that has supported us, and there are too many to name individually, but between the donors listed on the website and each and everyone that has purchased raffle tickets or merchandise, we are eternally grateful! If you have not purchased any tickets or merchandise, we would still appreciate your support. And should be overachieve, any remaining funds will be placed in the team fund for the benefit of the next cycle. Tickets and merchandise can be purchased at: http://www.usf3jteam.com <http://www.usf3jteam.com/> Thanks a bunch. Jim Monaco US F3J Team Manager 2008
