I am trying to book a round trip flight for my plebe, flying up on June 29th and returning at an appropriate time either at Thanksgiving or at the end of the fall semester for winter (Christmas) break. Looking at the Anchor Dates calendar, the winter break begins December 20th. Is that the first date that it is safe to book return flights? For Thanksgiving it shows leave only on Novemver 24/25th or Thursday and Friday. Do the plebes also get the weekend after Thanksgiving off? What is the earliest time on Wednesday that it is safe to book a flight assuming the leave is actually Thursday to Sunday. When do the plebes need to return on Sunday (or Monday)?
Calendar for Class of 2015
- Thread starter bsteves
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I agree with engineer. Get a one-way ticket to Annapolis for Plebe Summer. Stay tuned for Thanksgiving travel - things can, and do, change on short notice. Remember, this is not your typical civilian college.
My air travel suggestion is to use Southwest, if possible. They do not charge for itinerary changes or baggage. In my son's Plebe year that has already saved us money due to late changes in travel plans.
My air travel suggestion is to use Southwest, if possible. They do not charge for itinerary changes or baggage. In my son's Plebe year that has already saved us money due to late changes in travel plans.
Agree that I-Day should be one way ticket. This past Thanksgiving there was an early schedule on Wednesday before. Classes started at 0655, no lunch break, and last class ended at 1345. Taking into account the need to organize and get to the airport, anything earlier than a 1700 flight on Wed. would be pushing it. They need to be back for dinner formation on Sunday, so getting back by 1700 to memorize chow calls, get organized, etc. is the latest. If you live on the west coast, the Saturday overnight red-eye is your safest bet, with VERY early Sunday the alternative. If its not a direct flight, send them back Saturday night. You should be safe using the 20th for Christmas, but final exam schedule may allow your Plebe to leave a day or two earlier, so you may want to wait.
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Technically, you're supposed to schedule your flights for 4+ hours earlier than EOL to protect yourself from getting fried if your flight gets delayed/cancelled and you come back late. For example, your flight should get in by 1400 for an 1800 EOL. In actuality, this isn't usually necessary but can be a nice safety net.
If your plebe has a good sponsor (or good upperclass!) they can get easy transit to the airport too, and if they fly Southwest the check in/security lines are very quick. I've caught flights out of BWI at like 1445 before having left the academy at 1300+, but it's cutting it close.
I would wait until the ac year to book a plane ticket home for Thanksgiving for that reason, and also they might have no afternoon classes on Wednesdays or something that would let them leave earlier. Wait until the final exam schedule comes out for Christmas. When your plebe finishes may be much earlier than the 20th. There have been times where I've finished on the second or third day of the exam week and so got to leave a lot earlier than the posted day.
If your plebe has a good sponsor (or good upperclass!) they can get easy transit to the airport too, and if they fly Southwest the check in/security lines are very quick. I've caught flights out of BWI at like 1445 before having left the academy at 1300+, but it's cutting it close.
I would wait until the ac year to book a plane ticket home for Thanksgiving for that reason, and also they might have no afternoon classes on Wednesdays or something that would let them leave earlier. Wait until the final exam schedule comes out for Christmas. When your plebe finishes may be much earlier than the 20th. There have been times where I've finished on the second or third day of the exam week and so got to leave a lot earlier than the posted day.