DK6732
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2009
- Messages
- 192
+1
Someone is always going to denver or c-springs. Your cadet can handle it usually so don't worry too much
Thanksgiving Leave
- Thread starter BobBigBoy
- Start date
Someone is always going to denver or c-springs. Your cadet can handle it usually so don't worry too much
Don't forget if they get to Denver long before their flight they can hang out in the USO. DD used the busses the first year and then coordinated with friends the second year. She will have her car this year. The busses from USAFA do charge a fee and sometimes if there isn't one that works you can add your name to a list and they will schedule a bus if enough cadets sign up for it. You can do one way or roundtrip. I believe coordination for them is through outdoor recreation. They should have a table set up during I-day and if not then, for sure during Parent's Weekend (at Arnold Hall I think) look for their schedule as I don't believe they post it online for security reasons.
transportation to airports
DS has flown out of both Colorado Springs and Denver. He has a great sponsor family who took him to and later picked him up from the Colorado Springs airport for Thanksgiving. He flew out of Denver last Christmas and took the shuttle that picks them up at the Academy. There will be several options for the Academy shuttle at Thanksgiving and Christmas - both to the Colorado Springs airport and the Denver airport. By the time summer break rolled around (he had first leave), he knew enough other cadets to just catch a ride with friends to the Denver airport. He'll be returning to the Denver airport in about another week and, as far as I know, doesn't yet have any official plans of how he'll get from the airport to the Academy. But he doesn't seem worried about it so neither am I. Worst case scenario, I guess he'll pay a ridiculous amount of money for a cab - they get paid, so he seems to have plenty of money.
By the way - I also wasn't initially comfortable assuming that he'd take care of everything himself. So, I had checked with a towne-car-type company about picking him up at the Academy for that first trip home. The prices weren't ridiculous, and I was glad to know that was available if needed. But, it wasn't. He was, in fact, able to take care of his transportation to the airport after all! As others have mentioned, I do, however, generally check out his flight options - comparing prices, etc. - and let him know his options once he knows exactly when he can leave and return. And, we're still happy to cover the cost of his flights - just like we would if he was attending school anywhere else.
DS has flown out of both Colorado Springs and Denver. He has a great sponsor family who took him to and later picked him up from the Colorado Springs airport for Thanksgiving. He flew out of Denver last Christmas and took the shuttle that picks them up at the Academy. There will be several options for the Academy shuttle at Thanksgiving and Christmas - both to the Colorado Springs airport and the Denver airport. By the time summer break rolled around (he had first leave), he knew enough other cadets to just catch a ride with friends to the Denver airport. He'll be returning to the Denver airport in about another week and, as far as I know, doesn't yet have any official plans of how he'll get from the airport to the Academy. But he doesn't seem worried about it so neither am I. Worst case scenario, I guess he'll pay a ridiculous amount of money for a cab - they get paid, so he seems to have plenty of money.
By the way - I also wasn't initially comfortable assuming that he'd take care of everything himself. So, I had checked with a towne-car-type company about picking him up at the Academy for that first trip home. The prices weren't ridiculous, and I was glad to know that was available if needed. But, it wasn't. He was, in fact, able to take care of his transportation to the airport after all! As others have mentioned, I do, however, generally check out his flight options - comparing prices, etc. - and let him know his options once he knows exactly when he can leave and return. And, we're still happy to cover the cost of his flights - just like we would if he was attending school anywhere else.
usafamomma
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2011
- Messages
- 58
Otterpop, where are you from? I'm only asking due to your interesting "otterpop" name 
I am asking others to chime in here, but I recall hearing something about the dorms being "open" during breaks (thanksgiving, christmas, spring) but that Mitch's isn't open...so the cadets need to fend for themselves when it comes to being fed. Can someone more knowledgable confirm this?
Every year there are cadets who don't travel home...some are international kids etc...but they usually find a place to go. They can travel to a close friend's house or possibly stay with their sponsor...they just need to let people know that they can't go home and are looking for someone to tag along with.
Keep us posted as to what your cadet ends up doing.
I am asking others to chime in here, but I recall hearing something about the dorms being "open" during breaks (thanksgiving, christmas, spring) but that Mitch's isn't open...so the cadets need to fend for themselves when it comes to being fed. Can someone more knowledgable confirm this?
Every year there are cadets who don't travel home...some are international kids etc...but they usually find a place to go. They can travel to a close friend's house or possibly stay with their sponsor...they just need to let people know that they can't go home and are looking for someone to tag along with.
Keep us posted as to what your cadet ends up doing.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2009
- Messages
- 53
As a Freshman you probably wouldn't want to spend your breaks on the Hill. If you want to get away, just ask someone. First, ask your sponsor family. If that doesn't work, ask your friends' sponsor families. If you still don't have any luck, even ask some of your instructors. My freshman Chemistry instructor invited everyone in her class to her house for Thanksgiving if they were not going home. If you ever need something at the Academy, just ask someone and you might be surprised how often they can help you out.