The Totally Truthful FAQ
If you want to reserve a hotel room by speaking to a person:
Call during the day 888-654-4436. But I strongly recommend using the link on this webpage to register. Our booking code for our rate is 14676. I can’t imagine that central reservation will have any idea what you’re talking about. But, make sure you get a room on the East Side the hotel. It’s quieter, really, and I’ve got us booked on that side.
What to expect about the weather?
It’ll be hot because it’s always hot. Despite how you do it back home, you’ll only need a sweater when you’re indoors. Expect highs in the 90’s lows in the 70’s. 65° inside any building. Average chance of rain.
Where do I park?
Parking is always at a premium on campus and our Hotel and Conference Center is on the Texas A&M Campus. Directly behind the hotel is the Cain Parking Garage (owned by Texas A&M). The 3rd level of the parking garage connects to the 2nd floor of the Hotel. It’s very modern with lights and arrows to find empty spaces for you. There’s a daily fee. There’s also valet parking if you like.
Are Cowboy hats and boots a real thing? Do I need a horse?
They’re real. I have both, but don’t wear them often. However, if I were to walk in wearing my Stetson, the only comment would be, “Nice Hat.” You’ll see them around. Girls wear boots with shorts; don’t stare, it’s rude. The Spouses calendar includes western wear shopping… for the real thing. You’ll see lots of jeans. And that’s a really funny joke about needing a horse.
How fast can I get away with driving?
Texas has really good roads unless they’re under construction, then they’re horrid. Fight the urge to take advantage of the straight lines. Speed at your own risk; a lot of tiny one police-car towns make their living off of visitors. But here’s this: Don’t pass a school bus stopped with red flashing lights. The police will send you to a Turkish Prison for doing that. +5 over the limit is slow enough for the right lane.
Exactly where am I going?
We’re officially called Bryan-College Station. Since that’s a real mouthful, we often abbreviate it as B/CS. They are two separate cities that share a common border. People generically refer to them as Bryan or College Station, no matter which side of the border they’re talking about. Our corporation is Bryan Broadcasting but we’re located in College Station. Go figure. The hotel and Texas A&M are in College Station proper. The A&M Hotel address is 177 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX 77840. Sometimes you’ll hear a College Station official refer to the area as College Station/Bryan since College Station is (recently) larger than Bryan is. Or you could just refer to the area as the Brazos Valley. That’s in common usage too.
What Happened There?
There are two main approaches by air to CLL and when arriving via one of them, you’ll look out the window and see collapsed and burned out buildings, train cars tossed around and (!) a burned up airplane. What you’re seeing is Disaster City at the Texas Fireman Training Academy. They hide volunteers around and under all those collapsed buildings and train firemen and rescue dogs. My daughter volunteers as a ‘victim’ and if you click here, you’ll see how their makeup artists keep things real (she’s not really injured.) If you come in from the other approach, the only disaster you’ll fly over is one of my tower sites.
About Fixer Upper and Chip and Joanne.
It’s in Waco. About an hour and a half up Highway 6. If you’re a fan, you’re likely crazy about this place. IF you want to go, it’s closed on Sunday, so… I recommend you fly in Friday and tour Saturday. Or there are fewer visitors on Wednesday. Our special hotel rates are good on Saturday night or Wednesday night. Magnolia/Silo open hours are really limited. Check everything here before you go.
Where are all those 65,000 students?
Home. We got a good convention deal because we’re scheduled after graduation and Mother’s Day. You’ll see some students around because of Summer sessions and jobs. Most of the people you meet in the Hotel are A&M Students. You may get checked-in by a biochemistry student who will graduate as an Air Force Lieutenant.
Traditions to Respect? Land Mines to Avoid?
- Next to the hotel is the Memorial Student Center (The MSC). Take your hat off when you enter (there’s a sign) and Do Not Walk On The Grass. The “Memorial” is taken seriously here. Other things:
- The Corps: The Corps of Cadets is like ROTC; they’re 2,000 scholarship students who enter a branch of the service when they graduate.
- Howdy: Everybody says it. You’re encouraged to try.
- Maroon: It’s the main school color. The color you don’t want to wear is orange. It rhymes with nothing and will start arguments.
- West Campus: Over on the other side of the train tracks.
- Aggies: I originally thought that was a derogatory term. It isn’t. All current and former students are called that and they all wear their Aggie rings upon graduation. It’s almost a Holy relic.
- Texas: We’re proud we’re here. Please don’t tell anyone their Mama’s ugly. Or that you think The Alamo is overrated. I won’t be able to help you.
- Former Students: We have neither ex-students nor alumnus.
- Northgate: The Bar area. It’ll be slow with the students gone. We may take a shuttle over there for a beer joint tour.
What About Those Bidycles? Should I Rent a Car Locally? What about Uber?
Uber and Lyft are everywhere. So there’s no problem getting around, but we don’t have good public transportation. There are teal colored bicycles all over the place. They can be rented in the racks where you find them. Load an app here. Rent by the hour, whatever you want to do with it.
Does everybody drive a truck?
This is a well deserved stereotype that happens to be true. Those without trucks are from out of state or aspire to have one. However there are almost no gun-racks anymore. Don’t drive with an open container, although just down the street from the Hotel is a daiquiri/margarita store with a drive-through (they cap the cups). In Texas we tend to pick and choose the rules we obey. But we choose to drive sober and let Uber handle the rest.
How’s the Spouses Program coming along?
It’s going to be fun. We have shopping at our historic downtown and our newest boutique center. We will indeed feed giraffes and parakeets and zebras. There will be a lunch at a vineyard with chocolate and wine tasting. Plus, we’ve got a quick tour or two if you want to go. If you’re up for it, I’m really considering the Beer Joint tour. For ladies and gentlemen who golf, let me know. We’ve got Miramont waiting for you.
Cow Tipping:
I’m sorry, but we’ve just been screwing with you about that.