Question about planning ahead for plane tickets for breaks

ramrela

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
44
I'd like to book frequent flyer tickets for Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. I know that I should book for after the last afternoon classes. What time would be a safe bet, assuming DS has latest afternoon class and then needs travel time to airport? Also, if he wants to be on offshore sailing team, are there usually events over the breaks that would prevent us from making early reservations? If so, we'll wait on the tickets, but we may miss out on the freebies.
 
The manual says never book a flight before 6 p.m. If they get to the airport early, usually the airlines will work with them and allow them to catch an earlier flight free of charge. They usually just carry their backpack since all of their casual clothes are at home. Also with the TWIC card, they don't have to wait in the security line, just show it to the security guards and they skip the line.
Just something my DS found out.
 
Athletic schedules are somthing to consider. I rememebr thinking I would get to see my DS one weekend (sorry do not rememer which holiday) and them found out he needed to be at a team event.
 
We have found that 7:00 pm is a safer departure time with a return by 3:00 pm on Sunday. If your DS/DD has a ride directly to the airport, 6:00 is enough time. Our DS is on the offshore team and has not had any interference with Thanksgiving or Christmas vacations (though he was at sea this year). There are often races toward the end of the school year and during summer break, so stay flexible there.
 
I would also add that our ds has gotten his ticket changed by the airlines to an earlier ticket WHILE ONLY AT THE AIRPORT, while wearing his KP clothes and was there early enough to pay for the change. Some airlines make cadets pay, some don't. But usually you must be in uniform not to pay the change fee. Before ds received phone privileges, we'd call the airlines that day of him leaving to see if there were any open seats on an earlier flight. Then we'd email him to let him know. Sometimes there wouldn't be an earlier seat, but left with his buddies earlier for the airport to get a change of scenery. Once there, not all passengers were there to take their seats, so he could get one. Sorry I can't remember if he had to pay at that point or not. There are advantages to wearing your uniform, but many of the cadets opt out once they are no longer 4th class. Once our ds wore a KP sweatshirt on a flight back to school and a graduate of 45 was on the flight with his wife. They struck up a conversation, ds learned a lot, and they met in the city for a delightful evening. Small world!
 
Please don't purchase tickets too far in advance. I know of many parents who booked flights home for the major breaks for the entire plebe year and on, only to have the dreaded set-back happen, so, none of the tickets were refundable, nor could they be changed......just saying.......
 
Our DS showed his TWIC card to do that whole 'skip the line' thing... Depending on the airport/staffing, sometimes all you get is a dumb look accompanied y a 'What's THAT ?!' :) Doesn't hurt to try.. However, the uniform has helped more than anything.
 
Our DS showed his TWIC card to do that whole 'skip the line' thing... Depending on the airport/staffing, sometimes all you get is a dumb look accompanied y a 'What's THAT ?!' :) Doesn't hurt to try.. However, the uniform has helped more than anything.

I have never used my TWIC to "skip the line", but I do use it in lieu of my drivers license or passport as my ID. I have yet to have a problem with it for domestic travel. That said, most of my travel is to cities with ports and offshore businesses.
 
In the last two years the least expensive plane tickets purchased. Were purchased within three to four weeks of the travel date.
 
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