A not-at-all theoretical question: traffic and vice presidents

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10 May 2010 @ 08:39 am

My work schedule is 8-5, with an hour for lunch.

Former USA Vice President Al Gore is the keynote speaker at commencement this year, on Friday, May 14. The ceremony begins at 8:30, on the far side of campus. This is all publicly known and posted on the university's website.

How early should I plan to be at work to avoid the hassles? I generally figure 30 minutes early on commencement because of the traffic, but for this I also need to consider Secret Service and Alcoa Highway being closed between the airport and the university. Which reminds me that I should probably take Old Knoxville Highway, rather than Alcoa Highway.

< Looks up stuff > Hm. Looks as though VPs receive protection for six months after their terms end, rather than the 10 years for a president, so no Secret Service. Still, local law enforcement may decide that Steps Should Be Taken.

I'm thinking I may want to be at work by about 6:30 or 7. What say you all?

7 comments | Leave a comment

7 comments —

( 7 comments — Leave a comment )

wcg on May 10th, 2010 12:52 pm (UTC)

I'd agree with no later than 7.

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jhetley on May 10th, 2010 01:14 pm (UTC)

I know that our local university graduation turns traffic into a colossal mess. Likewise for the U where Younger Son did his post-grad, but you have experience on yours. Even on the latter, we got there a couple of hours early and found the streets pretty much clear.

Doubt if Gore would add much stress to the mix.

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janetmiles on May 10th, 2010 05:42 pm (UTC)

No, it alternates between Friday and Saturday.

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fatcook on May 10th, 2010 04:46 pm (UTC)

No later than 7, 6:30 would probably be your best bet.

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hedwig5221 on May 10th, 2010 04:57 pm (UTC)

Personally, I think 7 would be plenty early...JMHO...reminds me that I should mention this to daughter.

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bldrnrpdx on May 11th, 2010 02:30 am (UTC)

While there may not be large amounts of official security for Gore, there will likely be lots of fans and anti-fans as well as the usual commencement hordes.

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tomtac on May 13th, 2010 04:32 am (UTC)

I think you are right ... if you can't arrange to sleep somewhere in your office for the night, go early, like 6:30. (And I've slept in my office plenty of times.)

If that's an overreaction, it's just that Biden visited this part of the Carolinas about a month ago, and while some stretches of traffic were same-as-usual, others were completely bogged down. Not the same as Gore, as you pointed out, but it still makes me want to tell you "safe-not-sorry".

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