My DS, now a firstie, took the USAFA bus pretty much every time he was on leave during his first two years. Yes, he had other options to ride with friends, squad mates, etc. but he could absolutely, 100% count on the bus-- no stress. One word: reliable.
Thanksgiving
- Thread starter AF-Dad
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5-Year Member
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- Dec 10, 2012
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LMD is last military duty. As others have mentioned, it's usually the last class. If you live near a hub, I'd wait to book until you have their class schedule (early August) so that you can get a reasonably timed flight. If not, look at the schedule now and get something at a reasonable hour.
After maybe your DS/DD's first Thanksgiving, I'd recommend having them do the booking. They know their own squadron / ride situation the best, and they are adults--they can figure it out! If you want to pay for the flight, that's fine... either give them the credit card info or get them to give you the airline and flight numbers.
The bus is great, if a bit pricey. Cadets will gladly offer rides, often for free (though gas money/parking is VERY WELCOME in most cases.) It's easier to find a ride if you're not trying to get out of USAFA ASAP. Again, your DS/DD can figure it out.
Rule of thumb--your cadets will be released LMD before leave periods. That's after classes, and in the summer after, well, LMD... whenever their program gets done. They should ask upperclassmen who have taken the same program, and see if they can contact the cadre for their period ahead of time. Thanksgiving they'll have to be back Sunday night; Christmas I think it's the 2nd of January (seriously, check the schedule, it's on there); summer leave it's Transition Day... they have to check into their next program by 2 or at the end of the summer they have to be back I think Sunday at 7 usually.
As far as delays go--if your cadet is weathered/maintenanced/involuntarily booted out of a flight, it will be fine. (Trust me, I have had all of the above happen to me.) BEFORE leaving USAFA they should make sure they have the following numbers in their phone: squadron CQ, element leader (or relevant first contact in chain of command), AMT, AOC. They should start with the element leader and the squadron CQ, then move on to the AMT and AOC if neither of those pick up. Leave a message if necessary, state the problem and an ETA. Texting the element leader is probably not a bad plan either... we're cadets, we're more worried about messages getting through than professionalism.
As long as the original booking was legit (aka, they weren't planning to arrive in Denver at 6:30 for a 7:00 USAFA deadline), they'll be okay. If they're so late they start missing classes, they should contact their teachers ASAP, but again, people will understand and they shouldn't get in trouble.
After maybe your DS/DD's first Thanksgiving, I'd recommend having them do the booking. They know their own squadron / ride situation the best, and they are adults--they can figure it out! If you want to pay for the flight, that's fine... either give them the credit card info or get them to give you the airline and flight numbers.
The bus is great, if a bit pricey. Cadets will gladly offer rides, often for free (though gas money/parking is VERY WELCOME in most cases.) It's easier to find a ride if you're not trying to get out of USAFA ASAP. Again, your DS/DD can figure it out.
Rule of thumb--your cadets will be released LMD before leave periods. That's after classes, and in the summer after, well, LMD... whenever their program gets done. They should ask upperclassmen who have taken the same program, and see if they can contact the cadre for their period ahead of time. Thanksgiving they'll have to be back Sunday night; Christmas I think it's the 2nd of January (seriously, check the schedule, it's on there); summer leave it's Transition Day... they have to check into their next program by 2 or at the end of the summer they have to be back I think Sunday at 7 usually.
As far as delays go--if your cadet is weathered/maintenanced/involuntarily booted out of a flight, it will be fine. (Trust me, I have had all of the above happen to me.) BEFORE leaving USAFA they should make sure they have the following numbers in their phone: squadron CQ, element leader (or relevant first contact in chain of command), AMT, AOC. They should start with the element leader and the squadron CQ, then move on to the AMT and AOC if neither of those pick up. Leave a message if necessary, state the problem and an ETA. Texting the element leader is probably not a bad plan either... we're cadets, we're more worried about messages getting through than professionalism.
As long as the original booking was legit (aka, they weren't planning to arrive in Denver at 6:30 for a 7:00 USAFA deadline), they'll be okay. If they're so late they start missing classes, they should contact their teachers ASAP, but again, people will understand and they shouldn't get in trouble.
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
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In my sons' 4* year, another 4* from the Steeler Nation got weathered on a too-late flight into DIA, then was more weathered (!) on a ride back to USAFA, which took about 3 hours. He was in a panic, but his element leader just told him to keep in touch, hourly if necessary as conditions changed.