Thanksgiving

Aloha

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May 25, 2010
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I understand that Plebes can leave for the holiday after their last class. Does anyone know how late classes are at the Academy? Is there a shuttle that will take the Plebes to the Baltimore Airport? Any ideas on what time they will run for that Thursday and also on Sunday? Is there any place we can find out the shuttle times? Any help is greatly appreciated for this Mom.
 
Check with your PLEBE for last class/duty assignment. Super Shuttle runs from Gate One to BWI. Get a few together and they can split the cost. Check out:

http://www.supershuttle.com/

Use the USO lounge facilities near the baggage area for some downtime and a comfortable place to wait until boarding time. They are the best and treat them very well. Google "USO" "BWI" for information.
 
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USUALLY the Wednesday class schedule starts earlier, so they wrap up by midday. If the regulations remain the same, there will be some required number of hours their plane has to arrive at BWI or other area airport prior to the actual Sunday expiration of leave. In the past 10 years or so, that expiration time has varied from 6 PM to 10 PM, with a few variations. The required earlier landing time is to allow for unforeseen delays, and to be able to get a reliable nosecount on over 4000 people by some reasonable time that Sunday night. Your plebe will get briefed on how it all works for 2010 - not sure when - probably after Plebe Summer and when the academic year starts. Don't rush to buy plane tix, though I know it gets worrisome given the travel window, until you have a shot at talking to your plebe and making a decision that works with the guidance for this year.

Many West Coasters who have connections from regional airports elect to return Saturday night, or have to take earliest possible Sunday flights.
 
Returning Sunday following Thanksgiving the general rule the last few years is to book a flight scheduled to land at BWI on or before 1400 hrs...giving the returning Mid a 4 hr transit safety cushion back to the Yard ( 1800 hrs report time)...this 4 hr cushion will assure the Mid of not being "fried" in case of bad weather delays or other unforeseen travel difficulties.


I usually go ahead and book my Mid's return flight to BWI to take advantage of decent fares and flight choices and let the Mid himself book his flight home once he knows his class/duty schedule. He usually just steps into the Brancroft travel agency to arrange that flight home... we're fortunate in that Southwest offers several direct flights to our "home" airport from BWI every day.:thumb:


The last few years there have been scheduled shuttle busses running to BWI all day on Wednesday(approx. every hour) and returning to USNA all day on Sunday for an affordable fee (+/- $12). Final details are usually emailed to all Mids a few weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
 
My mid's plebe trip home for Thanksgiving was a wake-up call for this mother. "I'll take care of it, Mom" (w/ the help of my Visa card, of course). HE knew when his last class was, HE knew who else was heading to BWI @ the same time he was, HE knew which flights would work for his deadlines.

I don't mean to sound like a "been there, done that" parent, but really -- let your kid worry about this as much as you do. S/he will know the time frames before you do, and s/he can figure out a lot of this better than we can. And believe me, s/he is @ least as eager as you are to get himself/herself home.
 
We need the "been there, done that" parents! How else are we "getting ready to do that" parents going to know what we're doing? :shake:
 
I understand that Plebes can leave for the holiday after their last class. Does anyone know how late classes are at the Academy? Is there a shuttle that will take the Plebes to the Baltimore Airport? Any ideas on what time they will run for that Thursday and also on Sunday? Is there any place we can find out the shuttle times? Any help is greatly appreciated for this Mom.

Unlike Christmas, where not everybody gets out at the same time (due to varying finals schedules), Thanksgiving is the most synchronized mass exodus there is at the Naval Academy. Everybody in the entire Brigade is released at the same time. That being the case, finding a way to BWI is easy. There is always SOMEBODY who is heading that way. Even if you give it no thought and do no planning, it is very easy to get to BWI for Thanksgiving.

The same applies for returning from Thanksgiving.
 
Just know ... the last class/obligation may be Wednesday morning -- or later. We brought our son home for Thanksgiving last year ... and had to send him back on Saturday because planes just don't fly from the west coast into BWI before 2 p.m. ... so he was home from Wednesday about 10 p.m. until Saturday noon ... expensive, but worth it ...

Our plebe was happy to let us buy the ticket ... saved him the hassle of thinking about it ... everyone's different!
 
From the left coast, redeyes on Saturday night/Sunday morning work great. They're usually cheaper and allow plenty of flex time upon arrival back at BWI.
 
The last few years there have been scheduled shuttle busses running to BWI all day on Wednesday(approx. every hour) and returning to USNA all day on Sunday for an affordable fee (+/- $12). Final details are usually emailed to all Mids a few weeks prior to Thanksgiving.

Unless you have some really strange flight time, shouldn't be too hard to find a free ride on Wednesday.
 
You don't get much bang-for-your-buck with Thanksgiving break - especially if your mid requires a lengthy (i.e. expensive) airline flight. The same is true for Spring break.

In my day, many midshipmen stayed at the academy during these breaks because of the cost prohibitive nature of flying home for just a few days. Those that didn't stay at the academy would often hang out with classmates who lived closer.

Back then, the only midshipmen who went home were those who lived relatively close to the academy, or, had families for whom money was not a factor.

Of course, compared to today's dollars, flying was much more expensive back in the 70's. It was extremely expensive back then.

I never went home for a single Thanksgiving or Spring break during my four years. I usually used that time to catch-up on studies. Also, a bunch of friends and I started a tradition of white water canoeing (not rafting) and camping in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia. Those were some of my best memories.

I went home exactly six times in my four years; three for Christmas, and once during each of the three summer training cycles. Any additional time I got off was spent "marking time" in some way.

In the future, be prepared for your mid to tell you that they've made "other plans" for Thanksgiving or Spring break. Sometimes they prefer hanging out with their friends. (Sorry, Mom)

My sons are completely spoiled. They are only Youngsters and will have come home as many times as I did in my entire four years. Of course, they are airline brats and get to fly for free (although on standby). If they get three days off, they fly home ... the little pansies. :smile: Thanksgiving ... Christmas ... after finals ... after Commissioning Week ... after Youngster cruise ... and now they're going to be coming home for a few days after YP's, before the Brigade reforms. And they have cellphones, text messaging, email, Facebook ... Pfft!

And this doesn't even count the times they have seen us when we flew up there. My 30th reunion, a few home football games, Army/Navy game, and Herndon (waste of time).

Several times I've told them, "Why don't you just stay there and learn to suffer? I did!" :bang: :wink:
 
So when and who will notify us of the return time for Sunday? It is hard not knowing when to book flights from the west coast.
 
So when and who will notify us of the return time for Sunday? It is hard not knowing when to book flights from the west coast.

Your plebe. No doubt the Commandant's staff is working on updating guidelines and MidRegs for this coming academic year, and when the Brigade leadership staff returns a few days before Reform of the entire Brigade, there will be many meetings. "When do we have to be back at Thanksgiving?" is of interest to all 4 classes. I expect the policy and schedule will be put out to the Brigade soon after the academic year starts.
 
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