transportation to airports - Thanksgiving etc.

[lstader]

Can anyone give me more details on transportation to and from airports for Thanksgiving break? I am wondering what time is transportation being offered? How much will it cost? What dates is transportation available? How does one reserve a spot?
I want to go ahead a book a flight but I am not sure how my cadet it getting to and from the airports.
Thanks

[kdc246]

In Arnold Hall during PW there will be a booth regarding the travel. They posted in Parent's group emails back in 2010, but not in 2011. Basically they have a bus that is available to transport, for a fee, to and from Colorado Springs Airport and Denver Airport. To Denver, 2 yrs ago, roundtrip was $45 and one way $30. To CoS airport it was $30 roundtrip, and $20 one way. They must have at least 12 cadets sign up for a particular time to ensure that it goes. Cadet wing returns by 1900 on November 25th. They recommend giving at least two hours for the return from DIA and an hour from CoS. My DD used the bus for the first few trips her C4C year, but by Spring Break had made her own arrangements for transportation from the airports.

[buffalo]

The busses are always a decent option, since it is nice to know for sure you have a ride there and back. I used it 2 or 3 times during my first two years.

The other option is riding with an upperclass cadet. It's easier to get a ride from USAFA to the airport, but I've always been able to find a ride back, though sometimes that doesn't happen until the night before or morning of the return. The key is to ask around - worst case scenario, arrive into DEN, find random cadets and inquire if they have an extra room. We're pretty easy to spot.

[raimius]

Originally Posted by buffalo

The key is to ask around - worst case scenario, arrive into DEN, find random cadets and inquire if they have an extra room. We're pretty easy to spot.

It works...

lstader, I recommend you either talk with your son/daughter or just let them arrange the flight.

[lstader]

Thanks for the info. I won't worry about it, it sounds like it works out in the end. I'll just book the flight, send my cadet the itinerary and let him figure it out.

[fencersmother]

My sons took the van one time in four years, at our insistence (very bad weather expected after long flights with 2 stop overs). I do believe it was in their 4* year; after that they made their own arrangements and several times flew into both DEN and COS w/o rides arranged.

A couple times, the kids' sponsor family would drive them to COS from DEN, if they were working in Denver and could arrange a suitable pick up time.

It is a little nerve racking for parents though since we do not tend to be "fly by the seat of your pants" parents.

[Scratcher]

Holiday bus transportation to and from DIA & COS airports for cadets! Call ORC for dates and times. (719) 333-4602. Purchase shuttle tickets for November Break, Winter Break and Spring Break.

http://www.usafasupport.com/cadet-ac...oor-recreation

[Candace]

My cadet is hoping to travel on the Columbus Day break. Does anyone know if travel is allowed on that weekend? Also, are busses available to/from the airport?

[kdc246]

Busses are not available on the Columbus Day weekend. Travel may be, however to be safe they should submit a SSS form through the proper channels. It will usually be up to the discretion of the squadron powers that be. It is not a guaranteed thing that they will get to travel, so before arrangements are made and paid for, they should check. Note, USAFA does not really care if you already have airline tickets already purchased.

[greentrees]

Originally Posted by Candace

My cadet is hoping to travel on the Columbus Day break. Does anyone know if travel is allowed on that weekend?

That weekend is the Navy game, which is mandatory attendance by the cadet wing. Game is early -- 0930 local, so if SSS approved they could leave earlier than last week.

If the travel is for a "once in lifetime event" (like sibling's wedding) they may be approved to miss the game.

Won't know til they do the SSS asking, but like kdc said, USAFA won't care if plane tickets are already purchased.