Since he didn't post here himself I won't bring it into SC2 General, but will do this blog to offer some insight.
On the drive itself Some are voicing the opinion it's outrageous to fly a successful player on a strong team to a tournament with community's money. However:
1) Our money is ours to do whatever we please with. 2) I pay about 120$ monthly to have crappy cable programming (welcome to third world), I'd gladly contribute a fraction of that to have an awesome ESPORTS storyline and my favorite player to watch through a weekend.
On the budget Flight - to do a detailed comparison I'll assume he would arrive a day before and leave a day after MLG, and I'll use the awesome Matrix flight search from ITA Software (so good it was eventually bought by Google)
Consider it's standard to have at least one steward that speaks the language of the country in question, so language barrier isn't really a factor, besides the trip requires a connection with an US carrier anyway.
Seoul (ICN) to San Francisco (SFO) - qui, out 13 United 892 Dep: 5:05pm Arr: 11:21am 10h 16m Boeing 747 Coach (S)
Layover in SFO 2h 22m
United San Francisco (SFO) to Orlando (MCO) - qui, out 13 United 292 Dep: 1:43pm Arr: 9:56pm 5h 13m Airbus A320 Coach (S)
Orlando (MCO) to Seoul (ICN) - seg, out 17 United Orlando (MCO) to San Francisco (SFO) - seg, out 17 United 327 Dep: 7:11am Arr: 9:53am 5h 42m Boeing 757 Coach (S)
Layover in SFO 1h 7m
United San Francisco (SFO) to Seoul (ICN) - seg, out 17 United 893 Dep: 11:00am Arr: 3:10pm 12h 10m Boeing 747 Coach (S)
What he probably would have on the international sector:
Seoul (ICN) to Atlanta (ATL) - qui, out 13 Korean Air 35 Dep: 10:30am Arr: 10:45am 13h 15m Boeing 747 Coach (M)
Layover in ATL 2h 15m
Korean Air Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO) - qui, out 13 Korean Air 7073 Dep: 1:00pm Arr: 2:28pm 1h 28m Boeing 757 Coach (M) OPERATED BY DELTA
Orlando (MCO) to Seoul (ICN) - seg, out 17
Korean Air Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta (ATL) - seg, out 17 Korean Air 7074 Dep: 9:30am Arr: 10:59am 1h 29m Boeing 757 Coach (M) OPERATED BY DELTA Layover in ATL 2h 1m
Korean Air Atlanta (ATL) to Seoul (ICN) - seg, out 17 Korean Air 36 Dep: 1:00pm Arr: 4:45pm 14h 45m Boeing 747 Coach (M)
What he probably would have on the international sector:
Since no one seems to be seriously considering business class I won't post those.
Korean Air's economy class is one of the best in the world, but is hardly worth a $1000 premium. Unless MKP has a fetish for inflight entertainment, the United economy option is a no-brainer. No need to go out of the way to impress a progamer being flown across Pacific by his own fans!
Hotel - definitely the most convenient available. I've played on a couple of poker tournaments and would comfortably pay twice as much to stay at the event's hotel or as close as possible.
Food - if we are even considering paying $1000 more for a different carrier I can't imagine feeding him microwaved rice, sure Orlando as a major tourist destination has plenty of good restaurants, the real problem is to shuttle him around while Milkis is busy with MLG.
Finally, a big issue is that we can expect a swell of donations as the tournament approaches, but cheap travel relies on advance booking. If we count on a month to raise funds, the price will go up by thousands of dollars and hotels can become unavailable. If we want to support this we should do it immediately, anyway we can.
It's really touching how the community unites to pull off something like this. Go Reddit, Milkis, and everyone else involved! I'm sure MKP is absolutely thrilled to have so much support from you all! ^_^
On September 16 2011 13:02 Kraznaya wrote: The real reason Milkis wants to fly him on Korean Air is because the rest of the Korean progamers going to Orlando will be on the same flight.
That was presented as a third option:
Korean Air only if Koreans are on the same flight (we wait a few days for the finalized budget)
But if they do either there's a lot of money to burn on the LXP, or they get a special fare (very common between businesses) that would be nice to check if it could be extended to this initiative.
$1k is quite expensive considering the differences. Any other options?
I found out the hard way that not all United Air flights have power outlets for laptops in economy class even for international flights... without proper entertainment it would feel like riding a slave ship for such a long flight.
I thought that the reason he wanted Korean Air was so that MKP was on the same flight as the Korean invites, making it alot easier for both MKP and Milkis?
On September 16 2011 13:20 antas wrote: Wow, this is huge.
What's the plan for fund raising? Paypal donation? Selling stuffs?
I want to donate, but unfortunately I'm on a tight budget.
Can't wait too see how's it turned out
Milkis is hiring several thousand first-graders to sell lemonade in their front yards. The children will be compensated for their efforts with Milk Duds and Capri-Sun juice.
On September 16 2011 13:13 Hikari wrote: $1k is quite expensive considering the differences. Any other options?
I found out the hard way that not all United Air flights have power outlets for laptops in economy class even for international flights... without proper entertainment it would feel like riding a slave ship for such a long flight.
There is a Delta flight for $1430.20 on a much nicer aircraft, but the international leg goes up to 14h instead of 12h.
Seoul (ICN) to Detroit (DTW) - qui, out 13 Delta 158 Dep: 5:20pm Arr: 5:25pm 13h 5m Boeing 777 Coach (L)
Layover in DTW 2h 19m
Delta Detroit (DTW) to Orlando (MCO) - qui, out 13 Delta 1405 Dep: 7:44pm Arr: 10:27pm 2h 43m Boeing 757 Coach (L)
Orlando (MCO) to Seoul (ICN) - seg, out 17 Delta Orlando (MCO) to Detroit (DTW) - seg, out 17 Delta 2328 Dep: 8:20am Arr: 11:02am 2h 42m Boeing 757 Coach (L)
Layover in DTW 1h 13m
Delta Detroit (DTW) to Seoul (ICN) - seg, out 17 Delta 159 Dep: 12:15pm Arr: 3:20pm 14h 5m Boeing 777 Coach (L)
i know i'm slightly going off topic but i'd like to emphasise on this
Some are voicing the opinion it's outrageous to fly a successful player on a strong team to a tournament with community's money.
people should realise sc2 in korea isn't as big as people think it is. if teams are struggling to pay their players a salary, it's obvious they can't send players overseas
On September 16 2011 13:45 SonuvBob wrote: I foresee a counter-movement: top foreigners raise money to keep Koreans from coming to MLG.
The Tyler Wasieleski "Oh Shit, Keep Him Far Away From America" Fund for the Prevention of DRGs.
"So what do you plan to do with your prize money?!"
"Oh, well there are some Koreans that want to come to the next tournament so I'll probably work on that."
On topic: I think it's freaking awesome that people would pay to get 'their player' to an event. I just hope it doesn't get to a point where players get upset that they aren't getting the same treatment but whatev, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. GOGO MKP!
On September 16 2011 13:45 SonuvBob wrote: I foresee a counter-movement: top foreigners raise money to keep Koreans from coming to MLG.
The Tyler Wasieleski "Oh Shit, Keep Him Far Away From America" Fund for the Prevention of DRGs.
"So what do you plan to do with your prize money?!"
"Oh, well there are some Koreans that want to come to the next tournament so I'll probably work on that."
On topic: I think it's freaking awesome that people would pay to get 'their player' to an event. I just hope it doesn't get to a point where players get upset that they aren't getting the same treatment but whatev, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. GOGO MKP!
On that note I find it interesting that MKP hasn't been an MLG invite yet, seeing as he's consistently been a top tier Terran and a fan favorite as well. I guess with the Korean Terran onslaught and getting the big(ger) names as well as the ones currently winning there's no room for MKP...
Some are voicing the opinion it's outrageous to fly a successful player on a strong team to a tournament with community's money.
people should realise sc2 in korea isn't as big as people think it is. if teams are struggling to pay their players a salary, it's obvious they can't send players overseas
I think it should be more of a 60 - 40 with the community contributing 60% (return tickets + food assistance maybe?). MKP has 2 second place finishes in GSL, he should atleast be able to pay for his stay if the community contributes so much to him monetarily. I guess the point I'm trying to make is, it need not be all or nothing.
On September 16 2011 13:41 GTR wrote: i know i'm slightly going off topic but i'd like to emphasise on this
Some are voicing the opinion it's outrageous to fly a successful player on a strong team to a tournament with community's money.
people should realise sc2 in korea isn't as big as people think it is. if teams are struggling to pay their players a salary, it's obvious they can't send players overseas
I think it should be more of a 60 - 40 with the community contributing 60% (return tickets + food assistance maybe?). MKP has 2 second place finishes in GSL, he should atleast be able to pay for his stay if the community contributes so much to him monetarily. I guess the point I'm trying to make is, it need not be all or nothing.
My $0.02.
What your suggesting is getting closer and closer to a sponsorship. Might as well name the donation Reddit/TL Fund and make him wear a logo.
The drive is for the love of MKP/SC2 certainly if the drive yields an insufficient amount it might be fair to send it to MKP and ask him to get the rest.
If I didn't live in Australia and could actually go to MLG Orlando I would actually donate the extra 1000$ needed to bump up his flight to the better standard and I'd even shout him all of his meal costs.
Neither seat looks that different comfort wise. If people are really worried about entertainment, and ipod with a bunch of music/films (if he doesn't have one) costs less than $1000 dollars.
Have you guys considered that MKP might have been refusing the invitations ? Every time someone brings the question to Sundance, he just dodges it. The MLG guys are hardly dumb, I'm pretty sure they realize that MKP is a fan favorite and that they try their best to bring him.
On September 16 2011 20:55 mTw|NarutO wrote: I don't mind people donating money to bring a player, but I think he could pay for himself easily :o!
Pay 3k to probably win less? ...no!
Not too sure about price distribution but its highly likely MKP could make it far... and even with spending 3000 and winning 2000 he would still make a really good experience :S
Although i really like MKP. Im alittle disapointed in the community being so enthusiastic to bring a korean over to a event that has allready won a ton of money and can come of his own back if he really actually wanted to. Yet many top European players cant afford to come to an MLG and they do not get any support. Im personally thinking of SaSe, a Swedish player that is currently top 20 on Korean GM ladder and capable of beating MKP,MVP,Bomber ect and is seen doing so on stream.He has no team and streams his ladder games in order to try and support himself and he cant afford to fly over the world competing in these tournaments that would boost his profile and sponsor opportunities. As Foreigners why cant we get behind our own players and help them get the opportunities to beat the koreans instead of throwing more and more to the allready successfull and wealthy korean progamers. Im sorry for a negitive view on helping MKP (i really do like him) but i cant help but feel disapointed in the foreign community. /sadface
I find it hard to believe that NOBODY on reddit or people on TL who are interested have a family member or anyone who works for an airline.... this could be a free trip, or near free easily.
On September 16 2011 20:55 mTw|NarutO wrote: I don't mind people donating money to bring a player, but I think he could pay for himself easily :o!
Pay 3k to probably win less? ...no!
Not too sure about price distribution but its highly likely MKP could make it far... and even with spending 3000 and winning 2000 he would still make a really good experience :S
Milkis is awesome for organizing this. Definitely one of the best things I've seen in sc2 so far and a shining example of the sc2 community's awesomeness!
On September 16 2011 23:35 BjC wrote: Although i really like MKP. Im alittle disapointed in the community being so enthusiastic to bring a korean over to a event that has allready won a ton of money and can come of his own back if he really actually wanted to. Yet many top European players cant afford to come to an MLG and they do not get any support. Im personally thinking of SaSe, a Swedish player that is currently top 20 on Korean GM ladder and capable of beating MKP,MVP,Bomber ect and is seen doing so on stream.He has no team and streams his ladder games in order to try and support himself and he cant afford to fly over the world competing in these tournaments that would boost his profile and sponsor opportunities. As Foreigners why cant we get behind our own players and help them get the opportunities to beat the koreans instead of throwing more and more to the allready successfull and wealthy korean progamers. Im sorry for a negitive view on helping MKP (i really do like him) but i cant help but feel disapointed in the foreign community. /sadface
No one is stopping you from starting a bring sase to mlg donation drive.
I think it's a great proof of concept for an idea like this. If it works, the possibilities of continuing and expanding are definitely there. I chipped a little! =D
On September 16 2011 20:18 RudePlague wrote: Neither seat looks that different comfort wise. If people are really worried about entertainment, and ipod with a bunch of music/films (if he doesn't have one) costs less than $1000 dollars.
IMO he should just be on whatever flight the Korean invites are on. I believe part of milkis' job is picking the invites up from the airport so it would make it easier for both him and mkp.
I hadn't heard about this initiative until this weekend; you guys did an amazing job. Congratulations, and I'll try to pay more attention to this sort of thing next time; I'd absolutely chip in 10 bucks to get a player of MKP's caliber that doesn't often travel to MLG.
On October 17 2011 12:05 Snaphoo wrote: I hadn't heard about this initiative until this weekend; you guys did an amazing job. Congratulations, and I'll try to pay more attention to this sort of thing next time; I'd absolutely chip in 10 bucks to get a player of MKP's caliber that doesn't often travel to MLG.
Has he posted a thank-you to fans?
I think this is enough of a thank-you for a LOT of fans:
EPT![[image loading]](http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/2/2/3/3/83085_1310191332.jpg)
)![[image loading]](http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/4/1/3/1487314.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/8/4/6/1890648.jpg)
