For the soon-to-be-swabs!

shellz

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I got this message this morning from CGAPA and thought I'd pass it on...

The 2010 edition (class of 2014) of the CGA Cadet and Parent Handbooks
are now online and available from our web site. Please pass this
along to those who may be interested.

Here's the link to the site:
http://www.uscgaparents.org/index.html
 
Not sure how many times I've looked over the CGA Cadet and Parent Handbooks, but now seeing them addressed to the Class of 2014 makes it so real and very exciting. We've already bought my son his running shoes as well as the v neck tees. I decided we buy a few things at a time, but reading the handbook makes it all so overwhelming! Luigi made made nervous, so I'm making hotel reservations tonight!

A REALLY proud mom of USCGA Class of 2014 Cadet
 
Not sure how many times I've looked over the CGA Cadet and Parent Handbooks, but now seeing them addressed to the Class of 2014 makes it so real and very exciting. We've already bought my son his running shoes as well as the v neck tees. I decided we buy a few things at a time, but reading the handbook makes it all so overwhelming! Luigi made made nervous, so I'm making hotel reservations tonight!

A REALLY proud mom of USCGA Class of 2014 Cadet

True! Somehow the year attached makes it so official! Enjoy the feeling, it's priceless.

BTW, if you want a hotel rec, we love the Hilton Garden Inn in Groton. Great academy rate, good hot breakfast, and nice and close to CGA...just over the bridge about 5 minutes away.
 
BTW, if you want a hotel rec, we love the Hilton Garden Inn in Groton. Great academy rate, good hot breakfast, and nice and close to CGA...just over the bridge about 5 minutes away.

Good food and drinks at the Hilton Garden Inn. Holiday Inn also has restaurant and lounge and is closer to the academy and cheaper than Hilton if price is a concern. Be sure you ask for the "Coast Guard rate" at each hotel. Holiday Inn had some water damage from the recent flood (we stayed there Easter weekend) but has been completely repaired. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS AT EITHER PLACE NOW FOR R-DAY!
 
Good food and drinks at the Hilton Garden Inn. Holiday Inn also has restaurant and lounge and is closer to the academy and cheaper than Hilton if price is a concern. Be sure you ask for the "Coast Guard rate" at each hotel. Holiday Inn had some water damage from the recent flood (we stayed there Easter weekend) but has been completely repaired. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS AT EITHER PLACE NOW FOR R-DAY!

What was the Academy rate at Holiday Inn? We thought the 89.00 a night was pretty good, so I'm curious how much cheaper HI is? Thanks so much!
 
What was the Academy rate at Holiday Inn? We thought the 89.00 a night was pretty good, so I'm curious how much cheaper HI is? Thanks so much!

All the rates are posted on the LISTSERV, not sure we should be disclosing LISTSERV information on a public forum.

From the USCGA List Protocol: Please be very considerate of privacy. Basically, what happens on the list stays on the list.... Information shared in this forum should be treated confidentially and not shared outside the list...

:cool:
 
All the rates are posted on the LISTSERV, not sure we should be disclosing LISTSERV information on a public forum.

From the USCGA List Protocol: Please be very considerate of privacy. Basically, what happens on the list stays on the list.... Information shared in this forum should be treated confidentially and not shared outside the list...

:cool:

ummmm.....hmmmm. oops. i guess i goofed. :confused:
 
Shellz,

I want to make hotel reservations, but first I have to figure out when we can get a flight. We haven't received the big packet of info yet, but we did receive his packet with a number/code that said we needed it for son's flight arrangements. Am I supposed to make arrangements for all of us, or how does it work? What's the number for?
 
Shellz,

I want to make hotel reservations, but first I have to figure out when we can get a flight. We haven't received the big packet of info yet, but we did receive his packet with a number/code that said we needed it for son's flight arrangements. Am I supposed to make arrangements for all of us, or how does it work? What's the number for?

He will need the code for his flight, as it is paid for by CGA. You can make arrangements for you at the same time, but we got a better rate on our own. We did son's first with the agency (forgot the name, but it's in the packet) and then booked the same flight right after confirmation.
It's all laid out pretty well as to what you need to do.

As for hotel, we flew in on Friday June 26th, spent Saturday getting the last of his swab summer stuff (Walmart for Shampoo, Gatorade Packets, etc), and then went to the Parent's Assoc Picnic and Chase Hall tour on Sunday. If you can swing it, an extra day to acclimate would have been good for our west coast son! But, Monday morning came bright and early, and all was well!

So exciting....!! Hang in there and enjoy the ride.
 
Hey Francis, lighten up! Shellz mentioned the rate she paid for the hotel...don't think she was quoting the List Serv. :confused:
 
Gettin' old maybe?? :shake:

Oh pish-posh, you're still a spring chicken :wink: . I'm making flight/hotel arrangements today. Son sent in his "I accept that CG owns me" papers yesterday, and CGA said that they get the really cool cadet (Eagle on the front) package sent out within 24 hours. We are so excited! Thanks for the information, we'll chat soon. -officer
 
Reserved for R-Day

Well, the acceptance package (..."the 'Government owns my son' paperwork") has been sent and I made reservations for us in Groton for R-day activities, but I guess I need to call and ask for the 'Academy rate'? Just getting a room at the hotel was rewarding so any reduction in direct costs will be appreciated (and later applied to the next travel expense to/from).

Speaking of expected future travel, ... Is it too soon to book airfare for major holidays? We have the Academy calendar, but I do not want to book flights without better understanding how and when our Cadet will be able to be at the airport (or which airport for that matter).

Thanks,

Argos of Alabama
Parent, Class of 2014
 
Speaking of expected future travel, ... Is it too soon to book airfare for major holidays? We have the Academy calendar, but I do not want to book flights without better understanding how and when our Cadet will be able to be at the airport (or which airport for that matter).

Thanks,

Argos of Alabama
Parent, Class of 2014


You probably want to wait for holiday travel bookings since your cadet may have a duty assignment that may affect their travel...Semper Gumby!
 
Airfare

On the other hand, IF you are using Southwest Airlines, and IF the airfare is on sale, you might want to book now. Since you can change flights (subject to availability of course) on Southwest without a penalty, it can't really hurt to book early. Once the cadets schedule firms up, you could change flights if need be. You would have to pay whatever the airfare was posted as of that day, but you would have had to do so anyway. And if you end up canceling your reservation, you usually have 12 months to use the funds for another flight on Southwest.

I would watch for sales, and then you can decide if you want to book it. The only problem is in keeping track of what you have and have not booked. Not to make a commecial plug here, but I use tripit.com which is a free service that keeps track of all your bookings fairly automatically.....that way I can try to remember what I have done....which is no small accomplishment at my age!:shake:

You probably want to wait for holiday travel bookings since your cadet may have a duty assignment that may affect their travel...Semper Gumby!
 
Well, the acceptance package (..."the 'Government owns my son' paperwork") has been sent and I made reservations for us in Groton for R-day activities, but I guess I need to call and ask for the 'Academy rate'? Just getting a room at the hotel was rewarding so any reduction in direct costs will be appreciated (and later applied to the next travel expense to/from).

Speaking of expected future travel, ... Is it too soon to book airfare for major holidays? We have the Academy calendar, but I do not want to book flights without better understanding how and when our Cadet will be able to be at the airport (or which airport for that matter).

Thanks,

Argos of Alabama
Parent, Class of 2014

A word of advice....
We booked son's flight home for Christmas early (sadly, not on Southwest) due to great fares. We used the critical dates calendar to determine when finals ended, and then booked his flight for the next day. Fast forward a few months and son tells us he is done with finals 3 days early....and the charge to change the flights was big. We were prepared to do so, but son chose to hang around with some others who weren't done early. No big deal really, but if we had known he would finish early we would have brought him home for a couple of extra days of leave!

So....be careful. Don't assume. And use Southwest if you can.

Good luck!
 
I got this message this morning from CGAPA and thought I'd pass it on...

The 2010 edition (class of 2014) of the CGA Cadet and Parent Handbooks
are now online and available from our web site. Please pass this
along to those who may be interested.

Here's the link to the site:
http://www.uscgaparents.org/index.html

<stating this in a hushed tone>
Very strange to see your own cadet on the cover of the 2014 Cadet handbook. Incoming swab's reaction :eek:
 
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