USNA- Scheduling Flight For Thanksgiving Leave?

Longhorn

5-Year Member
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Jun 26, 2011
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What is a safe flight time for Thanksgiving leave for Midshipmen?

Difficult to understand by reviewing the academic schedule?:confused:

Appreciate the experienced readers perspective.

Thank You!
 
Almost always, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving has an accelerated academic schedule. The first period starts at 0655, second at 0755, etc., without a break for lunch so sixth period ends at 1245. Mids are allowed to leave immediately after their last class or obligation (LMO), so if they don't have a fifth or sixth they can take off early.
The trip to BWI is about 20 minutes (without traffic). Security is usually quick...I've shown up with about 45 minutes until my flight and been fine.

If they do have a sixth, any flight after 1500 should be okay.

For the way back, keep in mind that EOL is usually 1800 that Sunday. The rule of thumb in the past was that flights coming back should be scheduled for at least four hours before EOL in case of delays. Obviously it's more than possible to make it back with a flight that gets into BWI after 1400, but if it got delayed and the mid missed EOL formation, they could face conduct action.
 
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When booking flights, make sure you know what type of transportation to/from the airport you will use. The shuttle service requires a certain window of time prior to the flight. You can also get a car service to the airport or have your sponsor family take you. If you are using the shuttle service, they offer a military discount.
 
The official return time is 2000 on Sunday this year. So the Mids have to be scheduled to land before 1600 (4pm ET). Your Mid should have thier watch schedule thru the end of November (ours does) so you will know if they have Watch. If they have a varsity sport they will have to check on that also. Hurricane12, you and I obviously have the same approach to arriving at the airport! Why waste time sitting at the airport right?
 
This thread is a bit old. Any advice on timing for Thanksgiving leave 2017? Flights are already sold out for many of the Sunday times.
 
The basic guidance hasn't changed in 30+ years , leave is granted after last class or military obligation. For uppperclass, some are given the opportunity to come home early for OPINFO (visiting local schools for awareness the week prior to Thanksgiving).

As an aside, one tip I have learned the last few years ...flying on Thanksgiving Day is great ! I know that the Midshipmen are eager to get home and probably have alot more patience for the hassle of air travel than I do, but I have flown to the East Coast on Thanksgiving Day several time in the last few years, and have found tickets cheaper and airports far less crowded.
 
I would count on your plebe having 5th and 6th period classes. Your mid will need to get back to his room, change to his/her SDBs, gather stuff and then meet sponsor or other transportation. There could well be traffic -- maybe not but this is the greater DC/BWI area where there is ALWAYS traffic. I would NOT count on counter and/or TSA lines at BWI being short on the Wednesday before T-giving. They might be but would not bank on it.

So, if the class day ends at 1245, I personally would not book a flight before 1530. That extra few minutes at home is not, IMHO, worth the stress you'll put your plebe through in terms of making/missing the flight.
 
USNA wrote: ..........."gather stuff and then meet sponsor or other transportation"

A sponsor lift to the airport is a common way that sponsors help out Mids. Another good reason to make some time on PPW to buy your Sponsor family lunch or drop by their home, (whatever works best for them) and get to know them a little. Meeting the people who will "have your plebe's back" all year just makes good sense.
 
Better to start a new thread as opposed to tacking onto replies from a question posted in 2012. This also avoids confusion when people scan through the discussion.
 
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