Airport and travel question

DadofddMBM

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When cadets are from a good distance away, how do they get to and from the airports in the area? Which airports? Hartford/providence/Boston? Do most cadets return home during the longer breaks?
 
We will be doing the academy experience days in March. We plan to fly into Hartford, CT and rent a car. It will be interesting to see how the kids manage as they are unable to rent a car. It is my understanding that Providence airport, you can catch Amtrack to the academy. One could always do Uber, but I have no idea the costs involved. I will be encouraging my son to sign up for a sponsor family because he will not be able to travel home unless it is over Christmas or spring breaks.
 
The cadets can use the bus to the airports of Hartford and Providence. Last year it was either $20 or $25 to Hartford. They only go at a certain time so if they cannot make the bus they have to get there on their own. They can get a group of cadets together and uber or sometimes the sponsor family will drive them.
They can take Amtrak to Providence and also to Boston.
They always seem to make it work. I give our DS uber gift cards just in case he needs it.
 
@DadofddMBM
For us it has been a balance of flight schedules, price, and distance. We have found the best rates and the most available non-stops by flying in to Boston. Providence and Hartford are closer, but the majority of flights from our area to those airports seem to come with a layover and at least one change of plane. The Cadets use Amtrak and the regional bus system for longer trips, and Uber or a van ride for local trips. The Uber cost from CGA to the Amtrak station in New London is around $8.

In terms of the longer breaks, the first year, DD came home 3 times. First for Thanksgiving (Wed-Sun), then Christmas (about 3 weeks) and then for 2 weeks in August, right before the start of the 3/C year. Hope that helps and congratulations!
 
Amtrak does not stop at T.F Green Airport (Providence RI) or Logan (Boston). For TF Green, you'll need to get on a MBTA to the Amtrak station in downtown Providence. If you fly into Logan, Amtrak is at the South Station, and you'll need to pay for a shuttle over there. The only Airport Amtrak stops in is Liberty in Newark, and a one way to ticket to Newark purchased early is around $50. There's really no way from Hartford to New London except for a private limousine. I made that mistake once. DS always fly's into Providence, and Ubers to the CGA. There's always someone to share an Uber with unless you fly in at an odd time. I wouldn't fly into Boston.......it will cut your day short getting to the airport for your return home.
 
Our DS has classmates that go in and out of either PVD and BOS via Amtrak for all of their breaks. Some get a taxi or Uber over to PVD from the Amtrak station. In Boston you take the free silver line to and from southstation and BOS. They say it is very easy!
Our DS goes in and out of Hartford since they have a direct flight home.
 
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Certainly each family should research their options because it really depends on the departure hubs and availability of non-stop flights. The Cadets have to report back by a certain time, so we watch the schedules and local weather carefully. From our area DD can arrive at CGA much earlier by flying non-stop to Boston, then Amtrak to New London. Going in to Hartford or Providence requires a 2+ hour layover, a second flight, then the hour drive to campus. Of course parents and visitors won't have the same timing concerns as the Cadets trying to get back, and therefore they will have more options and flexibility. Having a car makes a difference too. Again, do your homework, but don't rule out Boston. It's a great town!
 
The Newark, NJ airport and Amtrak station right at the airport is a good travel connection.

I have taken Amtrak from BWI airport to Newark Airport station (different from Newark city station) to catch United international flights.

Step off Amtrak into airport station, step into tram train to terminals for a few minutes’ ride, and vice versa.

Once DS or DD has active duty ID card, they can book military fares. The Amtrak app is handy too.

Newark Airport Station to New London Station is about 3.5 hours via the Northeast Regional. WiFi, ability to get work/study/nap in.
 
I agree with Capt MJ that EWR has some good flights. You must know a few things though:

Most cadets do not know their leave schedule that early because of final exams or military obligations. The later you book the price goes up for Amtrak.
Amtrak does have delays. So do not book your flight out that early just in case.
Also if there is bad weather, Amtrak does stop or delay service.

Remember Semper Gumby.
 
When cadets are from a good distance away, how do they get to and from the airports in the area? Which airports? Hartford/providence/Boston? Do most cadets return home during the longer breaks?
My DS likes to fly out of Providence. We live in Alaska and he’s been back and forth a number of times. He has also flown out of Newark and Hartford. Amtrak runs to Providence and will take you right to Newark airport as well.
 
We flew to Newark and took Amtrak from the Airport to New London for AIM and back.
For Genesis we flew to Providence and USCGA received us there and dropped also.
There is Train from Providence to New London also.
 
My $.02- our cadet always seemed to not be able to leave the academy until later in the day for leave due to class schedule and sports practices. With travel to the airports that limited the number of flight options for her as there were no direct routes to out Midwest city. She would often find others in similar situation and they would book early am flights the next day and stay in a hotel near the airport the night before vs. trying to hail an Uber at 4 am.
I am not a very Gumby parent and I stressed mightily over the whole transportation and timing to the airport thing the first year. As others have said- things just have a way of working out! She has always found other cadets to share Uber’s with or hotels or a family to go home with for a long weekend. We wish we could see her more often, but it is expensive and she is so busy with sports and school.
Ps- with their military ids they can stay in hotels and rent cars even if the are under 21. Also- if relying on Amtrak to get to airport near holidays- know that those trains book up early!
 
I am not a cadet yet, but I have visited the academy once (for Cadet for a Day) and am planning to do the same thing again for the Academy Experience Program. It is totally possible to transit to and from the academy, even as a minor. For the first trip, I flew into TF Green, stayed in Providence for the night, then walked to the Amtrak station in Providence, took the train, and walked to the academy. While it is difficult to find places to stay and I needed to be familiar with public transportation (and willing to walk a bit!), the academy is definitely accessible if you look at all the options.
 
Hmm. Very impressed with the walking from the New London Amtrak Station to the Academy, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. Especially at night.
 
Hmm. Very impressed with the walking from the New London Amtrak Station to the Academy, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. Especially at night.

Center City New London is safer than any neighborhood in Metro D.C. Additionally its still safer than walking around the Amtrak in New Haven or Hartford. Situational awareness should be practiced in any city, but New London wouldn't be on my top 50 of scary places to walk at night.
 
Hmm. Very impressed with the walking from the New London Amtrak Station to the Academy, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. Especially at night.

Center City New London is safer than any neighborhood in Metro D.C. Additionally its still safer than walking around the Amtrak in New Haven or Hartford. Situational awareness should be practiced in any city, but New London wouldn't be on my top 50 of scary places to walk at night.
It's all relative - compared to Metro DC or downtown Baltimore, New London is a walk in the park. Compared to many other places in the country, New London might be the most dangerous place some of these kids and parents have ever been.
 
Downtown part of NL, I agree is fine. Not so sure about the area from a few blocks north of the station to Mr.G's, at least in the dark. But I am from a pretty rural area, so take that into consideration with my comments. :)
 
Downtown part of NL, I agree is fine. Not so sure about the area from a few blocks north of the station to Mr.G's, at least in the dark. But I am from a pretty rural area, so take that into consideration with my comments. :)

I agree that there is an area that is not safe. In fact there are certain areas that are off limits to cadets while attending USCGA. It is easier, quicker and safer to get an Uber for $7 to and from the Amtrak station.
 
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