Trips home from West Point

PJay

5-Year Member
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Sep 9, 2011
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I heard about this on the USMA class of 2016 group on Facebook but I would like some confirmation: does west point pay for flight tickets home for thanksgiving/Christmas and so on?

The question was: once I get to WP, will I be pretty much completely self sufficient? And what would be some major expenses that might unexpectedly come up that I might not be able to cover with the pay I'm allowed to use as a plebe (such as flights home?)
 
I heard about this on the USMA class of 2016 group on Facebook but I would like some confirmation: does west point pay for flight tickets home for thanksgiving/Christmas and so on?

The question was: once I get to WP, will I be pretty much completely self sufficient? And what would be some major expenses that might unexpectedly come up that I might not be able to cover with the pay I'm allowed to use as a plebe (such as flights home?)
West Point does 'not' pay for travel over leave periods.
 
the answer to that would be NO, you are responsible for getting yourself to and from West Point. The army will pay for your transportation from West Point to any training you might have to do and back to West Point, you are ALWAYS responsible for getting yourself home (or whereever else) and back by your reporting time.
 
I heard about this on the USMA class of 2016 group on Facebook but I would like some confirmation: does west point pay for flight tickets home for thanksgiving/Christmas and so on?

The question was: once I get to WP, will I be pretty much completely self sufficient? And what would be some major expenses that might unexpectedly come up that I might not be able to cover with the pay I'm allowed to use as a plebe (such as flights home?)

Plane tickets will be your biggest expense followed by the money you spend at home. Other than that, ordering out food and random stuff online will be your next biggest expense if you choose to do those things. You will be self-sufficient as long as you spend your money wisely.
 
Okay thanks! I didn't think they would pay for travel on leave but i'm glad I confirmed it.
 
the answer to that would be NO, you are responsible for getting yourself to and from West Point. The army will pay for your transportation from West Point to any training you might have to do and back to West Point, you are ALWAYS responsible for getting yourself home (or whereever else) and back by your reporting time.

So, hypothetically, if you were heinously poor,(and live far enough away that you need to fly) you could just spend your leave time at USMA?
 
You get paid 250 a month. Save your money and shop early and wisely for tickets.
 
So, hypothetically, if you were heinously poor,(and live far enough away that you need to fly) you could just spend your leave time at USMA?

Unless you are in debt or have bills to pay coming in, you will be able to fly within the continental United States every time there is Leave if you buy plane tickets ahead and don't waste your money.

There are baracks set aside for people who choose to stay durinf Leave. I'm not sure what the rules are for them but recall them telling us we couldn't stay over Christmas this year.

You get paid 250 a month. Save your money and shop early and wisely for tickets.

Unless it changed very recently, it's $225 a month for Plebes.
 
I don't think you can stay over Christmas break or for your summer break when your not training, but rest assured there are plenty of West Point parents who would be willing to take you into their home if you did not have the means or time to get home.
 
Oops, sorry for the misinformation...has been a long time since I had a plebe!
 
I did hear that some Parent's Groups organize charter buses to drive cadets from WP to designated drop-off points, but I assume those are probably mainly Northeast affairs given the time to drive much further than that. The cost is supposed to be reasonable and is door to door to WP each way. Not an airfare answer, but a travel answer nonetheless!
 
A 3rd party arranges busses to/from USMA to JFK, Laguardia, and Newark. In rare cases there are some to Newburgh. The schedules are published as the leave periods firm up. Previous years schedules are normally available, which can give you some idea of what to plan for.

These are timed near major events. You'll find that as a plebe, there are certain times/flights that make sense. You'll nearly always want a flight that arrives no later than mid-day on the day you are due back. DS normally shoots for 10-11AM arrival, which gives him a shot at two bus's.

When you can head out is harder to predict. Usually you end up with a 5 or 6pm flight the day leave starts, which allows for the last bus and transit/security time. Normally you can't leave until after last class, etc.

Parents clubs in the NE also arrange busses on major leave weekends, etc.

There are also private busses for Army/Navy if you want to take a spirit pass rather than ride down just for the game on the USMA bus.

Upperclassmen seem to shift away from the busses, as they have more access to cars and coordinate rides to the airport. For them, White plains (HPN) also becomes an option. To the SE, White Plains is usually cheaper than the NYC airports and is closer to USMA to boot. You can take a taxi to/from the airport, but it's not cheap.

As mentioned earlier, most cadets manage to find a way to fly even if they do not have parental support. Plan ahead, use the diary/buff card to see the candidates are for leave weekends. Work with your yuk on how to request a pass. Stay in good standing so you'll be able to take that pass!!! Do well and you'll get some performance passes!

Labor day weekend is the biggie for plebes. Columbus day is another, but there is a home game that weekend. So probably no pass until after the game.

If you cannot fly, there is always your sponsor's place, OCF trips, heading home with a buddie who lives in driving distance, etc.

Most importantly, get active in a club. There are dozens, and they are your best chance at getting off base and having fun away from leave periods. Some travel every 2-3 weeks!
 
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