Thanksgiving Time Off

afmomma

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Mar 22, 2019
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I would like to purchase a plane ticket for my cadet to fly home for Thanksgiving break. The academic calendar shows that they are off on Tuesday and need to return by 1900 on Sunday. Is this correct? Are there any restrictions I need to be aware of before purchasing his ticket?
 
I would like to purchase a plane ticket for my cadet to fly home for Thanksgiving break. The academic calendar shows that they are off on Tuesday and need to return by 1900 on Sunday. Is this correct? Are there any restrictions I need to be aware of before purchasing his ticket?

https://www.usafa.edu/parents/holiday-shuttle-information/


Keep reading at link above, and you’ll get to some Thanksgiving content. This comes up every year at all SAs, with parents wanting to purchase air tickets early for best pricing, gambling that policies will not have changed from the previous year, and a miscalculation will not lead to a costly fare change.

The cadets are in the best position to know, but that will be at the start of the academic year when they know their class schedule - which is not now, of course.

I knew there would be a link for this kind of info, based on my experience with USNA.

Experienced USAFA posters will undoubtedly pop up with more insights and experience.

I always suggest once through the first year, provide coaching to your cadet or midshipman and make them responsible for booking their own transportation. It’s a life skill they will need to become expert at in the military, so get them started.
 
This caught my eye despite being a Mid mom, but one thing I learned over DS’s Plebe year was how fantastic Southwest is for their ease of changing flights. Which happens. They are very military friendly, no fees for changing. And often hav a military rate that’s cheaper than a ‘last minute change’ fare if you call.

If you find a cheaper alternative fare from them, the difference stays on that confirmation code to be used in the future (the trick is remembering that you have it). Also, we learned that booking 2, one-way tickets makes changing flight easier.

The key to making purchases is that you are able to make changes. DS has booked all of his flights through first semester this year to take advantage of the lower fares. It’s a bit of a gamble, but there aren’t any problems changing things one he knows for certain his responsibilities and when he can travel.
 
+1 @Capt MJ - her valuable insights are absolutely applicable to USAFA.

C4Cs should know their academic schedules by A-Day, so should then have reasonable estimates of their LMD. Remember that it is not uncommon to have snow or other adverse conditions in November. Make sure you provide ample time to get to/from USAFA, especially if you are flying in or out of DIA.

Side note: Each C4C handles the rigors of their first semester differently - it is typically advisable not to over-schedule this time off and let the cadet rest and prepare for the final few weeks of class and finals.
 
When my kids were at USAFA, the return was Monday, not Sunday. Interestingly, it SNOWED LIKE CRAZY that Monday, and many cadets didn't make it back to USAFA by the appointed time, some not till Tuesday. A bit scary for some, especially some 4*s. My kids made it on time, but we had them fly out of Akron, 2 hours from us, because we saved $400 on their flights (Frontier). We had to do that at Recognition too, but the rest of the time, were able to fly to/from our local airport, with hardly any upcharge.

One parent's advice: DO NOT MAKE ANY RESERVATIONS until you know for sure what the "OK to leave" time is. It occasionally varies, and TG is a super busy time.
 
Just a note about holidays, including Thanksgiving...
If your DD or DS is on an IC team or other groups, such as cheer or D&B, that support the IC teams, especially football, they may not be able to travel home on the normal days, if at all. Sports games and practices do not always take a break.
For example, D&B plays at all home and away football games. There is a football game during Thanksgiving break this year on Saturday.
 
That's true, Capri. Some sports, not yet even in their regular season, have scrimmages, required practices, media events, which will prevent them leaving USAFA at all. Hard for some kids, especially on that "Winter Break."

And then there's the old adage: "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here." Especially hard for some international students since they simply cannot return home for short breaks. Parents, I know you are anxious to see Junior, but especially if your child has an international roommate, if you've got the space, please invite if you are able.
 
For those who need to fly into the NYC area, jetBlue has a red eye flight #98 which leaves Denver at approx. midnite & arrives at JFK approx. 6AM.
Another parent told me about this flight & it worked for our DD.
 
We purchase airfare in one way segments. The return flights are predictable because they have a firm sign in time. Cadet leave times vary based on tests and sports team requirements so we book the flights home as we find out when they can actually leave.
 
Yeah, those TG flights are $$$. Christmas-time flights drop substantially.

Did you parents know you can meet your cadet AT THE GATE??? Yep, show your ID and you can meet Junior at the gate as he steps off that plane, or go out with him to wait for two hours on the return. They're akin to active duty, so parents with appropriate ID can meet them. Caveat: leave plenty of time. Especially holidays.
 
Yeah, those TG flights are $$$. Christmas-time flights drop substantially.

Did you parents know you can meet your cadet AT THE GATE??? Yep, show your ID and you can meet Junior at the gate as he steps off that plane, or go out with him to wait for two hours on the return. They're akin to active duty, so parents with appropriate ID can meet them. Caveat: leave plenty of time. Especially holidays.


I’ve never heard of getting past TSA without a ticket so what kind of id is required to do this?
 
I love my kid but not enough to wade through security to spend a few more minutes with him.
 
I also think the “kid’s” wishes should be consulted. Going to and from a SA environment or training destination isn’t quite the emotional load of seeing someone walk toward you after a year in a combat zone or sending them off to an unaccompanied two-year tour, and just needing that togetherness for a tiny sliver more, though it may feel that way to some.
 
We waited for them when they were flying home at baggage claim but while they had a 2 hour wait at the gate flying back to CO, we always hauled ourselves along. Plus, I got to visit the STEELER SHOP at the airport, so how great a combo was that?
 
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