CaliCargo Shipping Program 2018
A Fundraiser for LALA


Thanks for your interest in CaliCargo 2018! The Melons are driving a transport truck from SoCal to NorCal to BRC this year, and we are renting out space for Planned Melonhood campers, friends of Melons, & future friends of Melons. Drop-off/pickup locations will be in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

This document is divided into sections:

  1. The Basics

  2. Prohibited items

  3. Bins

  4. BYOlock system

  5. Bikes

  6. Irregular items

  7. Locations

  8. California drop off

  9. Playa pick up

  10. Playa drop off

  11. California pick up

  12. Payment

  13. Link to sign up form

  14. Questions?

1. The basics:

  • Round trip prices: $30 per correct 27 gal bin, $40 per incorrect 27 gal bin, $60 per bike, $12 per cubic foot for other items (including all bins not 27 gal)

  • One-way trips are half off

  • Public art or infrastructure for Planned Melonhood is free. For folks outside of our camp, public, interactive art qualifies for a 10% discount: for consideration, email calicargo@burningmelon.org *before* signing up.

  • Fundraiser for Los Angeles League of the Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that advances Burning Man arts and culture in the Los Angeles region via educational programs and events, like LA's Decompression. 10% of all proceeds will go to LALA!

  • Space is limited, first come first serve, and reservations are valid only after completion of the online sign up and successful payment processing

  • Sign-up closes on August 8 at 8 pm PT, there will a Sparkle Pony Penalty Fee applied to any applicants after this date.


2. Prohibited items

  • Prohibited items include but are not limited to:

    • illegal drugs: cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, etc;

    • "partially legal" drugs: marijuana, cannabis, derivatives or synthetic thereof, etc;

    • perishable food or beverage: produce, milk, fresh juices, ice, etc;

    • fireworks: signal flares, sparklers, other explosives, etc;

    • flammables/fuel: propane, butane, gasoline, diesel, white gas, matches, lighters, etc;

    • paints: spray paint, oil-based paint, etc;

    • household Items: bleach, spray starch, insecticides, drain cleaners, solvents, etc;

    • pressure containers: scuba tanks, camp stove propane canisters, carbon dioxide cartridges, nitrous oxide cartridges, etc;

    • weapons: firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear-gas, pepper spray, etc;

    • hazardous materials: dry ice, gasoline-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, camping equipment with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances, etc;

    • wet goods that could open and destroy other property and/or stink up the trailer (stinky cheese), ice, etc.

    • living beings: dogs, cats, humans, fish, etc.

3. Bins

  • $30 bin price is only for a very specific yellow and black bin

    • Correct bin: 27 gallon bins manufactured by Centrex AND with a square pattern on the yellow lid, available at Lowes


    • Incorrect bins: any bin with any sort of diamond pattern on the lid (regardless of manufacturer)

    • Incorrect bins include: "Professional Box" at Costco, storage tote by HDX sold at Home Depot, "Tough Tote" by Homz sold at Amazon, etc.

  • Incorrect bins are $40. Must be rectilinear and stackable above and below. Maximum 27 gallon capacity. All other bins qualify for "irregular" pricing (see below).

  • For correct and incorrect bins, gross weight max 80 lbs (gross = contents + bin + lock + etc).

  • Before drop off, we recommend:

    • Bag your bin contents or tape the edges of your bin to prevent intrusion of playa dust

    • Decorate your bin in non-MOOPy ways so you can identify it easily:

      OK: Sharpie, paint pen, duct tape, large plastic stickers
      NOT OK: Spray paint, house paint, masking tape, small stickers, paper stickers

  • Lid must close completely and securely.

  • Bins should be packed carefully: they may have hundreds of pounds stacked on it, or leaning against it from any direction

4. BYOlock system (mandatory)

  • At drop off, bin owners must bring one lock per bin (unlocked)

    • Locks must be compatible with lock holes in Centrex bin

    • When locked to bin, shank must have extra space for a 1/4" diameter cable to pass through (similar to standard pencil).  If at all possible, please use a long-shackle lock

    • Locks cannot obstruct or interfere with bin stacking

    • Combination style locks strongly recommended, especially if a friend may pick up or drop off your bin

    • Bike locks (cable or U lock) are OK if meeting the above criteria, but not recommended, and can only be used for one bin

    • Bins cannot be locked together or otherwise attached to each other

  • More info about the BYOlock system available here

5. Bikes

  • No trikes, recumbents, "tall bikes," gas- or electric-assist, etc.

  • All bicycles must be prepped for transport: "fit flat"

  • "Fit flat" requires turning/removing handlebars, removing pedals, and removing any other wide objects/decorations (attach loose parts to bike frame with zip ties)

  • Wheels must remain on bicycle and must be at least partially inflated

  • No tools will be available, bring your own tools as necessary

6. Irregular items

  • Irregular item capacity is limited at our discretion

  • Orders with irregular items may be declined with full refund within 24 hours of order submission

  • We cannot accept fragile or delicate items, may not be able to accept items with any one dimension longer than 8'

  • Dimensions & pricing is "highest point rectilinear" and uses the following procedure:

    • Measure length, width, and height at longest, widest, and tallest point

    • Then, round up to the nearest whole inch. Ex: 14.4" x 30.2" x 43.8" becomes 15" x 31" x 44"

    • Multiply the result and then divide by 1728 for the precise cubic feed. Ex: 15*31*44 = 20,460 then 20,460 / 1728 = 11.84

    • Round up to the nearest cubic foot then multiply by $10 for final cost   Ex. 11.84 becomes 12 then 12*$12 = $144

7. California drop off

  • Where: During sign up, select either Los Angeles or Bay Area as your location. Exact address will be sent in a follow up email to avoid posting our hosts' addresses online. Locations will be easily accessible by freeway, and will be announced in mid-July.


  • When: Truck drop-off windows are listed below, they are based on the truck's travel schedule and timing needs, and subject to change slightly. We request that you practice radical self-reliance, and set aside these times to assist in loading your gear onto the truck. If you are unable to be present during load-in/out times, please reach out to calicargo@burningmelon.org to schedule a separate time.


                    Los Angeles - Wednesday, 8/22/18, 7:30a - 10a 
                    Bay Area - Thursday, 8/23/18, 7:30a - 10a

  • How: You will be emailed a blank location tag ahead of drop-off period, once all items have been registered. Please print one location tag per item going on the truck- fill in the blanks, and secure one to each of your items. We recommend covering the paper in clear packing tape (“burner laminate”), and zip tying to bins. This will be crucial in ensuring your items are dropped off in the correct city.

9. Playa pick up

  • Where: Planned Melonhood, Placement TBD

  • When: Playa pick up starts Friday, 8/24 at noon (Early Access)

  • How: All items will be stored in dedicated area of camp, locked to a steel cable with other bins. Unlock your bin, and go on your happy way!

10. Playa drop off

  • Where: Planned Melonhood, Placement TBD. 

  • When: Playa drop off ends Sunday 9/2 at 6 pm. If you need to drop off anything before Saturday, please make arrangements in advance by emailing calicargo@burningmelon.org

  • How: There will be separate staging areas for items destined for each city. Make sure location tag is still secured and clearly visible, and neatly stack your items in the appropriate area. We will have blank location tags onsite in the event of a little dust ;)

11. LA/Bay Area Pick-Up

  • Where: Same location you dropped your stuff off at.

  • When: Truck pick-up windows are listed below, they are based on the truck's travel schedule and timing needs, and subject to change slightly. We request that you practice radical self-reliance, and set aside these times to assist in loading your gear onto the truck. If you are unable to be present during load-in/out times, please reach out to calicargo@burningmelon.org to schedule a separate time..

       
      Bay Area - Tuesday, 9/4/18, 1p - 5p
      Los Angeles - Wednesday, 9/5/18, 1p - 5p

      **ALL ITEMS MUST BE PICKED-UP BY 4 PM on Saturday 9/8/18. If you cannot make it within the designated pick-up/load-out window, please practice Radical Self-Reliance and make arrangements to have your items picked up for you. Any items left behind after 4 pm Saturday will be discarded.

  • How: Unlock your bins and head on home :)

12. Payment & Refunds

  • Successful payment via credit or debit card is required to sign up

  • Accepted cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club

  • If possible, please submit payment must be in one lump sum covering all items shipped

  • Sign-up deadline is August 8 at 8 pm PT, there will a Sparkle Pony Penalty Fee applied to any applicants after this date.

  • Full refunds are available before 8/8/18 at 8:00 pm PT.

  • Refund requests must be submitted via email: reply to the confirmation email (subject line: "Thanks for your sign up of X items") and double-check it's being sent to cargo@burningmelon.org

  • Refund requests will receive a reply within 48 hours, actual timing of repayment may vary based on your credit/debit card

13. Link to sign up form

15. Questions

  • Email calicargo@burningmelon.org