Travel for breaks

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kmseamom

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Feb 20, 2011
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Trying to keep myself busy during plebe summer...been already trying to think about plane tickets for the Thanksgiving Break. I know they cannot leave the yard until they are done with duties...any input on when they usually know this? Also, for the 4C's, is there a bus that travels to BWI or what tends to be the usual way to get oneself to the airport? Thanks! So far so good for my plebe, heard from him yesterday but of course did not remember to ask him all I wanted to...just let him talk!:biggrin:
 
kmseamom....perfect, just let him talk!!! :)

Regarding travel, DS knew thanksgiving plans about 2 weeks prior. Other option is to get onto the usna calendar site and guess when they will be released....and then buy refundable/changeable ticket. We used flier miles and were able to make changes.

Christmas break is when they are done with their last final and they know that 2-3 weeks ahead of time.

SuperShuttle is great for BWI travel. But, plan ahead and book as soon as you book plane ticket. You can do this online. Also, execucar has private sedans....pricey, but it's the same price for up to 3 passengers. For both, you or your Mid can book online, pay with credit card including tip at booking, and then not worry about anything else....

For first flight home, I booked DS flight with miles, and execucar because I didn't know what else to do. His dad was in Baltimore on business and surprised him at the BWI airport, upgraded him to first class (again using miles) and they had a fantastic flight home! I told him not to get used to such service!:redface:

Try to get all flights out of BWI. Flying out of Reagan or Dulles is pricier to get transportation and not as many mids fly out of there.

Sometimes the sponsor parents will take them to airport, but not always fits their schedule.

FYI - if Mid has a BWI arrival and a tight time frame to get back to yard, then use execucar. They stand there at baggage claim with a sign and get you right out of the airport within minutes. i used them for myself for herndon climb.

We have been very pleased with Execucar and Supershuttle service for my Mid.
 
No one will know about Christmas leave until the final exam schedule comes out.

For Thanksgiving, we go on an early academic schedule the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Every Mid is done with classes by about 1 PM or earlier and we can leave immediately following our last class.

For both leave times, shuttles to BWI leave from the Mid Store parking lot for $10. Sponsors are generally kind enough to give us and our friends rides to the airport as well. Super Shuttle is also an option for around $25. Anything other than these options to get to BWI are a complete waste of money. I've done the taxi deal several times because I want to get the hell out of Annapolis, but that has always been around $50 and I can imagine it's somewhere around $80 nowadays.
 
Plebes and Youngsters have to travel in uniform. My Plebe was upgraded a few times last year, for being in uniform. He got to sit in 1st class and watch Firsties and 2nd Class walk by back to coach wearing their civvies.
 
Soylent...nice to know about the shuttles....that's something we didn't know about. Do you have to reserve a seat?

DS discovered that you aren't treated as special out of uniform when he flew back from summer cruise. Had to stand in long line at security, didn't get to board first, no one buying him a free lunch.... :smile:
 
singaporemom said:
Soylent...nice to know about the shuttles....that's something we didn't know about. Do you have to reserve a seat?

DS discovered that you aren't treated as special out of uniform when he flew back from summer cruise. Had to stand in long line at security, didn't get to board first, no one buying him a free lunch.... :smile:
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Nope, no need to reserve a seat.

Traveling in uniform definitely has its perks, but I'd rather travel in civilian clothes any day of the week.
 
kmseamom said:
Trying to keep myself busy during plebe summer...been already trying to think about plane tickets for the Thanksgiving Break. I know they cannot leave the yard until they are done with duties...any input on when they usually know this? Also, for the 4C's, is there a bus that travels to BWI or what tends to be the usual way to get oneself to the airport? Thanks! So far so good for my plebe, heard from him yesterday but of course did not remember to ask him all I wanted to...just let him talk!:biggrin:
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Getting to BWI during a massive exodus from the Yard (like during Thanksgiving) is easy. Your mid will find a way, I assure you.

I recommend that you do NOT micromanage things for him/her. If they're not asking for help or advice, they probably don't need it. They tend to solve these "problems" for themselves.
 
promise! not a helicopter mom! figured if it came up in conversation...I could make suggestions! he managed all his stuff to get himself there, I know he can handle the rest! :smile:
 
The first year the Plebes are so busy they kind of forget about things like planning ahead for traveling home. A few well placed questions helps during the first semester. After Christmas, they are so anxious to leave they are thinking far ahead of schedule!!!

They key questions to have answered when they call you to make reservations for them are:

What date/time are you allowed to LEAVE campus? (This would be the minute they can walk away from their room at bancroft)
Factor in walking to and waiting for the shuttle
1 hour to BWI
2 hours at airport

What time are you to REPORT to campus? (This is the time they must be in their room and ready for whatever it is they do...yell at a bulkhead wall??...when they report back)
Factor in getting luggage (usually plebes have none)
Waiting for ride
1 hour to USNA
15 minutes to walk to Bancroft
If cutting it close, DS makes sure he's atleast 2 hours ahead of time.
Never plan a flight that is the last of the night, due to cancellations.

They will want the first available flight OUT of BWI and the last available flight IN to BWI. But, DS is now relieved when he's early reporting back.
 
MIHOSER said:
Plebes and Youngsters have to travel in uniform. My Plebe was upgraded a few times last year, for being in uniform. He got to sit in 1st class and watch Firsties and 2nd Class walk by back to coach wearing their civvies.
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I assure you, those Firsties and 2/C were very happy to keep walking - in their civvies.
 
Thanksgiving is the only time (in our experience) that you really need to buy tickets as far in advance as possible. Those prices are outrageous, because everyone wants to travel on the same two days (Wed & Sun).

Singaporemom: In your time for return to USNA, you are correct that it only takes 30-60 min of travel time, but remember, technically the Mids' return flight should be scheduled to arrive two hours prior to their report time, to allow them to be on time, even if the flight isn't. If flights are not available, your Mid can request permission to take a flight that returns with less slack than that.
 
2012Mom...yes, ofcourse.. I didn't elaborate on that. When DS says he must report by 10:00pm....I deduct 2 hours from that! :smile:
 
2012mom? said:
... remember, technically the Mids' return flight should be scheduled to arrive two hours prior to their report time, to allow them to be on time, even if the flight isn't.
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Well, yikes! I have been told repeatedly that there was a "4 hour rule", i.e. if the report time was 6:00 pm your flight should arrive at BWI no later than 2:00 pm. If it is actually OK to schedule flights to arrive only 2 hours before report time that would allow many more flight options for us.
 
PT,

I had that same thought -- 4 vs. 2 hours.
You can always have your MIDN route a special request chit for a later leave expiration. I would expect that these chits would only be granted for flights of a longer distance.
 
I got all excited, thinking there was news coming out!! Instead, I’m wondering what I was doing almost 10 years ago 😂
 
Swimmerwannabeplebe2029 said:
Do you have to wear your uniform coming back to usna as a plebe?
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.
Almost any day during any normal year you will see different USNA (and NAPS) student groups (e.g usually sport team travel) in the Baggage area of BWI (and sometimes Reagan or Dulles), or milling about, waiting on something.

Their dress is always “to uniform standard”. You will never see them schlepping or dressed inappropriately.

So yes, you must depart and return in proper attire.
.
 
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