first off, I, too, dig WallStreet's notion of playin' in an empty rig. Has promise, that idea does.
Secondarily, while I don't know about ALL gatherings (what am I, mystic?) I do know that my West Coast Gatherings have given many a ride to and from airports, bus stations, train stations, hotels and motels. Park that sucker anywhere if you've a cell phone, and I'll scoop ya myself. It'd amuse me to add it to the list of pickups. I recall MidWest NEST folks scoopin' me from the airport, and the multiple trips QBWeaver and R1ckshaw made to the Philly airport t'grab NEST arrivals, and the volume of us caravaning from the hotel to the site. Only reason I don't know about the others is that I ain't been to those events. I'd be surprised if it was much different, though. Know too many of the hosts t'believe otherwise. Good folks, they are.
Brother, just talk to the host about gettin' a ride. Ask 'em t'mail their list. Someone is bound to get charitable. We seem to be a charitable kink, that way.