Wheel of Fortune - Hawaii's Big Island - Watch Wheel November 5-25

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Wheel Staff Q&A
Christy Myers, Travel Coordinator
Hawaii 2008

Wheel of Fortune is on Hawaii’s Big Island November 5-25th! How did Pat, Vanna and the rest of the crew get here? And who takes care of their accommodations? We chatted with Wheel’s Travel Coordinator Christy Myers to find out.

WOF.com: Could you describe your role in planning the Hawaii remote taping?
Christy: We have a staff of about 200 people working on the Hawaii tapings, and I’m the lucky one who gets to schedule their transportation and accommodations. That includes rides to and from the airport, flights, hotel reservations, travel to prize shoots… it all goes through me. Everyone’s on a different schedule too. Some staff and crew members are on location for a week, while others are here for an entire month.

WOF.com: Amazing. And what’s a typical day like once everyone arrives? It’s got to settle down, right?
Christy: Settle down? Hmm… I’ll read through yesterday’s calendar to give you an idea of a typical day on the Hawaii remote.

5:45 AM: Wake-up Call
6:30 AM: Rent van for upcoming Prize Shoot
7:00 AM: Locate lost luggage for WOF staffer
7:25 AM: Eat breakfast while on hold with airline
8:00 AM: Relocate WOF staffer to a new hotel room
8:45 AM: Field call from WOF staffers who want aisle seats, not window seats
9:15 AM: Confirm today’s airport pickups
9:45 AM: Meet with producers regarding accommodations for the 2010 remote tapings…

WOF.com: You can stop there. I’d be ready for a nap by then. Sounds like you stay pretty busy the whole time!

Christy and I are interrupted by a fellow staff member.

Staff Member: Hey Christy, we need to talk about my return flight. Can’t I get something in the afternoon? You know I’m not a morning person.

Christy: Unfortunately there is only one flight out that day, so there isn’t anything I can do.

Staff Member: Great, so you’ll take care of it then? Thanks!

Christy starts dialing numbers to try and work some of her magic. We keep asking her questions.

WOF.com: That’s a lot to manage. Aren’t you stressed?

Christy: Thankfully the Wheel staff is very self-sufficient and respectful of my time. Because I have so much on my plate, they only come to me with urgent issues.

Another staff member approaches us.

Staff Member: I need to switch hotel rooms. I want a room with a view. All I can see out my window is miles and miles of ocean.

Christy: Yeah, I can see why that’d be a problem? Anyway, I’ll handle it.

Some static emerges from the radio attached to Christy’s hip. She’s being paged.

Christy (into radio):You want me to arrange a private luau in your room? Oh but you’ll settle for swimming with the dolphins in your bathtub? Hmm. How about a pitcher of mai tais instead?

This appeases the staff member. Stunned at her ability to multitask, we ask more questions.

WOF.com: How do you keep track of everyone?

Christy: You know how kids all have to wear the same T-shirt when they go on field trips? I enforce a dress code here too. The staff has to wear a badge, a Wheel of Fortune hat, a blinky pin, and any other piece of Wheel flair that they like.

WOF.com: And they’re cool with that?

Christy: They’ve got so much Wheel spirit that they’re happy to obey.

WOF.com: Well where’s your flair?

Christy: Oh I don’t wear that stuff. What do I look like, a groupie?

WOF.com: I know you deal with the entire staff, but do you give any special treatment or provide extra amenities for your superiors?

Christy: Oh yeah, I’m no fool! I’m working on a raise, so I pretty much do whatever the producers want. Actually, that reminds me that I need to deliver this drink. Could you excuse me for a moment?

Christy walks over to the pool and delivers a frosty cocktail garnished with pineapple slices and mini umbrella to a fellow staff member, who appears quite comfy in his lounge chair. She steps away, and we approach the staffer.

WOF.com: Wow, you must be pretty high up in the ranks to get poolside service like this. What’s your title?

Staff Member: Actually I’m just an intern. Don’t let Christy know though… these drinks rock!

We resume our conversation with Christy.

WOF.com: I’m really impressed, Christy. You’re totally on top of things. Congratulations on getting all 200 staff members to Hawaii!

Christy: Thanks, but it’s pretty easy after all these years!

We’re interrupted by a frantic crew member.

Crew Member: Hey Christy, have you seen Pat & Vanna?!

Christy’s jaw drops.

Christy: Pat & Vanna?!? Were they supposed to be on this trip?

Tune in to Wheel tonight to see if Pat & Vanna made it to Hawaii!

-The Wheeoffortune.com Team.