In the spirit of the thread "Who would you most like to meet on AZB", it occurred to me that it would be cool to have a nationwide/worldwide directory of reputable AZB members who would be willing to put up traveling pool players that come to stay a day or a weekend, or longer with approval.
The Canadians always seem to open up their homes when I travel up there and are really friendly. I have made some lasting friendships that way. They call it billeting.
This could get kind of touchy, I acknowledge that. Like a first date you meet online, you usually want to arrange meetings with strangers somewhere safe first, so our get-togethers usually happen in local poolrooms, before you let them into your home.
The thing is, we could maybe set up a new forum on AZB with feedback, like on the ebay site, where people could elaborate on their experience. Bad feedback would certainly get around AZB quickly enough!
It could work sort of like Craig's List, in that you have to be on the list (or have something to offer if you just can't be a host) before you can take advantage of this service. The host's phone number and address would not be given out. The traveler's name and phone number, along with the completed questionnaire would be given to them so they could work out the details.
SOME poolplayers, being who they are, may take advantage of this by stealing, but I don't think many are that way, especially members here. Am I being too naive? We open up our home regularly to Glenn Atwell and the Ashton twins, who come in for tournaments and would be happy to accommodate other travelers. You would have to contend with our psychotic barking dogs though.
If we compile the list, it would probably need to be sorted as to the host's preferences. See attached and feel free to add to it. There would have to be ground rules - like buy your own meals unless invited (I usually buy my hosts dinner), no stealing (duh), clean up after yourself, and there couldn't be any liability to the directory service, etc.
This would cut down on the major expenses of road trips and the tournament trail. Even some of my friends that don't post on here would be willing to host players in our area, and I am sure all of us could create a network of spare bedrooms or couches for players to crash in for a couple days.
What do you all think? Would this be feasible?
The Canadians always seem to open up their homes when I travel up there and are really friendly. I have made some lasting friendships that way. They call it billeting.
This could get kind of touchy, I acknowledge that. Like a first date you meet online, you usually want to arrange meetings with strangers somewhere safe first, so our get-togethers usually happen in local poolrooms, before you let them into your home.
The thing is, we could maybe set up a new forum on AZB with feedback, like on the ebay site, where people could elaborate on their experience. Bad feedback would certainly get around AZB quickly enough!
It could work sort of like Craig's List, in that you have to be on the list (or have something to offer if you just can't be a host) before you can take advantage of this service. The host's phone number and address would not be given out. The traveler's name and phone number, along with the completed questionnaire would be given to them so they could work out the details.
SOME poolplayers, being who they are, may take advantage of this by stealing, but I don't think many are that way, especially members here. Am I being too naive? We open up our home regularly to Glenn Atwell and the Ashton twins, who come in for tournaments and would be happy to accommodate other travelers. You would have to contend with our psychotic barking dogs though.
If we compile the list, it would probably need to be sorted as to the host's preferences. See attached and feel free to add to it. There would have to be ground rules - like buy your own meals unless invited (I usually buy my hosts dinner), no stealing (duh), clean up after yourself, and there couldn't be any liability to the directory service, etc.
This would cut down on the major expenses of road trips and the tournament trail. Even some of my friends that don't post on here would be willing to host players in our area, and I am sure all of us could create a network of spare bedrooms or couches for players to crash in for a couple days.
What do you all think? Would this be feasible?
