Thanksgiving Leave

BobBigBoy

5-Year Member
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Jun 14, 2011
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Thanksgiving leave begins November 20th LMD...what does LMD mean? Flights are already booking up.
 
Thanksgiving leave begins November 20th LMD...what does LMD mean? Flights are already booking up.

LMD means "last military duty". Often that will be a cadet's last class or last exam, but in this case before Thanksgiving, it will be at the end of the Commandant's Training activities that Tuesday. Last year LMD ended up being noon, but there was discussion into November whether it was really noon or 2:00. I understand about flight issues but would be very cautious about making a flight now. If anything make it later in the evening and know that your cadet may have to take a late shuttle or hang around the airport a bit.

_________________
Proud mom of a C3C
 
LMD means "last military duty". Often that will be a cadet's last class or last exam, but in this case before Thanksgiving, it will be at the end of the Commandant's Training activities that Tuesday. Last year LMD ended up being noon, but there was discussion into November whether it was really noon or 2:00. I understand about flight issues but would be very cautious about making a flight now. If anything make it later in the evening and know that your cadet may have to take a late shuttle or hang around the airport a bit.

_________________
Proud mom of a C3C

+1:thumb: Also know that USAFA does not concern itself with plans you have made, if they change their minds on LMD. I must say I worried about this as well when my DD was a C4C. Since then, I have learned that finding the best deal is not the priority (I still try, but I don't worry so much any more). Right now you have no idea what your cadet's class schedule looks like. There are other variables, though negative in nature (ie: your cadet leaves the Academy before Thanksgiving even if it has been their dream forever or is injured during BCT and medically turned back), that can make the best laid plans of mice and men, seem foolhardy at this point in time. Give it a couple of months, the rates will not like change that significantly.
 
oh geeze! You do realize that November is a while yet :rolleyes:
Check the flights in an out of Denver on Sunday...expensive and selling out now. It isn't me, it is supply and demand:frown: It isn't the outbound I am concerned about, it is the inbound Sunday that is filling up.
 
Check the flights in an out of Denver on Sunday...expensive and selling out now. It isn't me, it is supply and demand:frown: It isn't the outbound I am concerned about, it is the inbound Sunday that is filling up.

You will end up paying more for airfare than Joe Average because you will always wait until plans and dates are firmed up for leaves. If you make peace with that idea now, it will save you many headaches over the next 4 years. Also, understand that even with the best plans, you WILL end up paying change fees for flights at some point in those 4 years because the Academy changed something.

I just gave our son the login and password for my Delta account and told him to book his own flights when he knew what his times were. Then I never had to stress over it.

Stealth_81
 
Check the flights in an out of Denver on Sunday...expensive and selling out now. It isn't me, it is supply and demand:frown: It isn't the outbound I am concerned about, it is the inbound Sunday that is filling up.

I don't know where you live, but I never had any problem booking flights. I usually booked 3-5 weeks out via expedia or travelocity. That was for Chicago O'Hare and Orlando Int'l out of Denver and C-Springs. I FIRMLY believe they will be able to get a flight, even if they wait a few more months.

Heck, I booked a flight 1 DAY in advance once, due to some unfortunate events.
 
Cadet wing returns on Monday, November 26th, 2012, not Sunday.

Doesn't class start Monday morning? So, they would have to be back Sunday night right? Or, does class start again on Tuesday? Just assumed that "cadet wing returns" meant class beginning, returning Monday would solve a lot of problems. Thanks for your help!
 
You will end up paying more for airfare than Joe Average because you will always wait until plans and dates are firmed up for leaves. If you make peace with that idea now, it will save you many headaches over the next 4 years. Also, understand that even with the best plans, you WILL end up paying change fees for flights at some point in those 4 years because the Academy changed something.

I just gave our son the login and password for my Delta account and told him to book his own flights when he knew what his times were. Then I never had to stress over it.

Stealth_81
I have another child in college and need to watch my pennies when possible...thanks for the heads up though!
 
Doesn't class start Monday morning? So, they would have to be back Sunday night right? Or, does class start again on Tuesday? Just assumed that "cadet wing returns" meant class beginning, returning Monday would solve a lot of problems. Thanks for your help!
Just noticed the calendar reads 1900..Monday return it is.
 
"Cadet Wing returns" on calendar means the day on which Cadets must return to the Academy. Classes will begin the next day.
 
Put the Calendar Away

Jeez, guys, I stress about things too, but put the calendar away! I am doing my best to savor each day until 28 June. Then I want to take in I Day and the Swearing In Ceremony so I keep those memories in my heart. I will plan for Acceptance Day and Parent's Weekend, and we will probably get football tickets as soon as we can, but otherwise I just try to take it one day, one event at a time. Days, weeks, months will go by quickly enough as it is.

I think I'll be a little teary-eyed on I Day, but it's time for DS to become independent, and it's time for me (and Dad) to sit back and enjoy watching him become the young man we parented him to be. It's the right time for him to go and the BEST place for him to be going to. Dad will show him how to schedule his own flights before he leaves for I Day, and we'll advise him to do that about a month out from Thanksgiving and Christmas. He will know the calendar with changes, and should be able to get advice from other cadets. We'll pay for his airline tickets, but he will schedule his own flights.

So from one parent to another (and I only mean this is the friendliest of ways), just try to relax a little and put the calendar away for now. And be sure to give your DS/DD an extra hug or two each day. :redface:
 
+1:thumb: YorkieMom75

The days we have left are speeding by exponentially fast. In one week I leave with my C2C so we can take her car back to the Academy. I will miss a precious week with DS, but I raised my kids to be independent, so I am the only one feeling this way now. He has been ready to start this new chapter for awhile. It took me a year after sending off my oldest to realize that she manages just fine. Now when she is away, I talk when she wants and has time. I stay connected through the many forums I belong to. Webguy kept me sane two years ago and will do the same this summer. Cherish, hug and appreciate your appointee. Always be there to listen when they need you. Trust that you raised great sons and daughters, they will manage and be stronger for it. P.S. I still pay for all the flights home. I generally help make the reservations by sending option and then they choose what works best. Sometimes DD has had to change things last minute, but she does this all on her own and pays any differences.
 
If the military cared about Thanksgiving, they'd issue your child a turkey.

funny-thanksgiving.jpg
 
What options are there for a cadet to get to Colorado Springs airport versus Denver international? (besides hitching a ride or a taxi)
just want to know from those who have "been there and done that"
 
Plenty of options. Just not as many as from Denver. Depends where u r flying to or from.
 
Plenty of options. Just not as many as from Denver. Depends where u r flying to or from.

What I'm asking for is:
ways of getting to the airport (colorado springs compared to denver international) to and from the academy.

besides private car,taxi or shuttle are there buses?
flying from the west coast, both airports are available. just wanted to know if which one is easier to get in/out of to get to/from the academy.
thanks for your valuable input.
 
USAFA offers shuttles to Denver and Colorado Springs airports during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring break. My DS flies Southwest out of Denver due to the ease of tranfering flights and/or cancellling flights. Never had a problem and the change fee is only $10 plus difference in fare charge. :thumb:
 
There is always someone going to and from Denver. My DD gets a ride and gives them some gas money.
 
USAFA offers shuttles to Denver and Colorado Springs airports during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring break. My DS flies Southwest out of Denver due to the ease of tranfering flights and/or cancellling flights. Never had a problem and the change fee is only $10 plus difference in fare charge. :thumb:

Sometimes there are shuttles from USAFA, they run them at certain times. The times offered are not always convenient for the cadets . The shuttle companies schedule rides to and from USAFA when the bulk of the cadets are coming or going. They do provide service from the Academy Hotel but the cadets need to get there for the shuttle. That can be a problem. Then on the return trip they have to find a way back to the academy from the hotel.
The first year my son was there, it was a bit of a problem in the first semester. After they get to know people, they can usually get a ride because there are always people going to DIA. They usually kick in some money for gas and a few ride up. The upper classmen are very good about lending their cars to the younger guys. Normally someone lends a car and one of his friends drives him and others to the airport.
I have moved to Denver for work. This was my son's 2nd year. He has gone back east a few times this year. Usually, I pick him up, a few of his friends normally are going somewhere so I take them too. When my son gets back, his friends usually coordinate with him, and I pick them up after the last one arrives. Next year this ends because he will have his own car at the academy. At least I think he is getting his own car. That is the plan.
 
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