Flying Alone

DQ622

Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2019
Messages
11
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?
 
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?
From what I understand you are responsible for getting yourself from the airport to USAFA for in processing if you arrive the day before you will need to procure arrangements for a hotel room and meals.
 
Have you connected directly with USAFA about this? There’ll be others doing what you are, so nothing new to USAFA. I’d be very surprised if they didn’t provide you with details about how to get to the academy, where to stay, where to eat, etc. And unless something drastic has changed, you’ll be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Best wishes to you.
 
Doesn’t USAFA have the bed & breakfast program? Or did I get that wrong?
They do, it's run by the Association of Graduates.

Easy to find on the internet.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Was always impressed by what I have seen on here about it. For someone solo, would think that would be a great opportunity!
 
Have you connected directly with USAFA about this? There’ll be others doing what you are, so nothing new to USAFA. I’d be very surprised if they didn’t provide you with details about how to get to the academy, where to stay, where to eat, etc. And unless something drastic has changed, you’ll be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Best wishes to you.
Thank you! Nothing has been said to me yet, but my authorization to travel box in my portal hasn't been checked yet, so maybe thats whats it.
 
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?

The AOG Bed and Breakfast program is not available this year.
You will be responsible for making a reservation at a local hotel and making arrangements for transportation from the airport to hotel and hotel to in-processing. USAFA will provide reimbursement. Information is in your appointee packet.
 
Pgs 8-10 of your appointee handbook discusses mode travel, housing/hotel, transportation, reimbursement etc. Pg 14 also specifically lists a taxi company to use that has pre-approved access onto USAFA.
 
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?

The AOG Bed and Breakfast program is not available this year.
You will be responsible for making a reservation at a local hotel and making arrangements for transportation from the airport to hotel and hotel to in-processing. USAFA will provide reimbursement. Information is in your appointee packet.
OUCH!

I just checked my ALO info...didn't find that message! That's a great shame/loss. It's a great program.

Have to do some "asking" about why...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?

The AOG Bed and Breakfast program is not available this year.
You will be responsible for making a reservation at a local hotel and making arrangements for transportation from the airport to hotel and hotel to in-processing. USAFA will provide reimbursement. Information is in your appointee packet.
OUCH!

I just checked my ALO info...didn't find that message! That's a great shame/loss. It's a great program.

Have to do some "asking" about why...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

I agree that the Bed and Breakfast program was a great program. We've sponsored appointees for the past 5 years and we were looking forward to hosting appointees this year. All of our previous appointees agreed that it gave them an opportunity to relax & have a good meal the evening before in-processing and it helped reduced the stress the morning of in-processing to have a good breakfast & not have to worry about transportation to USAFA. We also did our best to reduce the stress by waiting in the long line with them the morning of in-processing (last year it was several hours!) & by providing those final words of encouragement and goodbye hug their family was not able to offer that morning.
I was told the reasons were two fold: 1) the number of appointees arriving alone has dropped a lot over the past few years 2) it was a liability issue for the AOG
 
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?
Just a suggestion...if your parents are members of the USAFA Class of 2023 Parents Group on Facebook (parents have to provide proof of appointment to join), you can use this as a resource to connect with others traveling alone.
 
Im a 2023 appointee and I chose to fly in alone and I have my flight itinerary, but what happens when I get off the plane? I have not met my sponsor family nor do I have any information about them. My plane lands at 11 am on June 26th what do I after I land?

The AOG Bed and Breakfast program is not available this year.
You will be responsible for making a reservation at a local hotel and making arrangements for transportation from the airport to hotel and hotel to in-processing. USAFA will provide reimbursement. Information is in your appointee packet.
OUCH!

I just checked my ALO info...didn't find that message! That's a great shame/loss. It's a great program.

Have to do some "asking" about why...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

I agree that the Bed and Breakfast program was a great program. We've sponsored appointees for the past 5 years and we were looking forward to hosting appointees this year. All of our previous appointees agreed that it gave them an opportunity to relax & have a good meal the evening before in-processing and it helped reduced the stress the morning of in-processing to have a good breakfast & not have to worry about transportation to USAFA. We also did our best to reduce the stress by waiting in the long line with them the morning of in-processing (last year it was several hours!) & by providing those final words of encouragement and goodbye hug their family was not able to offer that morning.
I was told the reasons were two fold: 1) the number of appointees arriving alone has dropped a lot over the past few years 2) it was a liability issue for the AOG

Well, my son may be arrive solo. He thinks he can stay with a friend who get there before he does, but he may need a ride from the airport. Should he plan on taking Uber? Or do you know if there will be shuttle busses? His friend is staying closer to USAFA, so no airport shuttle.
 
Well, my son may be arrive solo. He thinks he can stay with a friend who get there before he does, but he may need a ride from the airport. Should he plan on taking Uber? Or do you know if there will be shuttle busses? His friend is staying closer to USAFA, so no airport shuttle.

Our DS plans to Uber to his hotel from airport Wednesday late afternoon, Uber to a restaurant for dinner with fellow USAFA appointees from his 2018 Summer Seminar Element, and Uber to academy Thursday morning.
 
The AFA appointee booklet specifically states "do not use Lyft or Uber; they are not guaranteed entrance to the Academy." There is a phone number to Yellow Cab company given that has pre-approved access onto USAFA. Make sure your DS looks at page 14 of the appointee booklet prior to I-day to avoid any unnecessary stress or problems.
 
If you're going to taxi, I'd try calling to get that setup sooner rather than later and last minute. I'd be surprised if whatever local taxi company is in the Springs is setup to drive hundreds of appointees to the Academy at the same time.

Worst case uber to the front gate, and start ask for a ride from there.
 
Our DS plans to Uber to his hotel from airport Wednesday late afternoon, Uber to a restaurant for dinner with fellow USAFA appointees from his 2018 Summer Seminar Element, and Uber to academy Thursday morning.

If you Uber you’ll likely be stuck at the gate because they likely can’t get on base. Very appointee handbook for best transit option to school on I-day
 
I still have not decided what I'm going to do. My DS has his plane ticket, and a ride to I Day if I don't go with him. I also have a hotel reservation for us, but if he goes solo, he could stay somewhere cheaper. Anyone have any experience with the Econo Lodge or the Motel 8 right outside of the North gate?
 
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