Thanksgiving

A

AF-Dad

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Mar 18, 2015
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When are cadets released for thankgiving? I see the calendar states 24 Nov LMD. Not sure what LMD means.
 
If it's like this year, it's just after your last class for the day. So some people are done by lunch. They'll release an OPORD with specifics of the schedule early enough in the school year to plan-but times for leave usually can't be touched by squadrons.
 
I ask my DD to book the flight back to USAFA ASAP because that Sunday is considered the most heavily travelled day of the year.
 
As I recall, my cadets didn't have to return until Monday, by 7 pm, but that can and will change.

Their 4* year, IT SNOWED all over the eastern seaboard on that Monday after TG... OH MY GOSH! So many of the cadets were very very late getting back. I believe those who alerted their commanders were ok, but woe woe woe to those who just figured the CO knew his/her situation.
 
AF Dad,

DS will be a Firstie next year. We only use Southwest Airlines to fly him into and out of Denver because his schedule coming home is always changing and Southwest has no change fees. For instance, he isn't sure when he will be released from his summer period this summer. Last summer he was released on Friday morning but the official calendar says Saturday. So for this summer he has a ticket for both Friday and Saturday. Once he knows, one will get cancelled and the points or money will get reused for his next set of tickets (probably Christmas break). Finals can be a challenge as well. I pay for him to travel home and therefore also book the tickets. For finals I will again guess, book a couple home-bound tickets and then cancel based on his direction once he has the actual finals schedule. Yes, it is a bit of a hassle but he generally flies on the cheapest fare and gets the most time at home. Travel back to USAFA (e.g. Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break) is generally specified on the USAFA calendar and I do not recall a time we have had to change those tickets.
 
LMD is last military duty of the day. Mine had class till last period, so he didn't get out till after 4. The logistics of getting home can be problematic if you live in the North East where there are not many direct flights or flights leaving after 6pm home. Some cadets stay for the break due to the travel time involved. For my son, with the logistics, he didn't come home. Also, some IC athletes have events and are unable to travel home Thanksgiving break. Last year, they had to be back by 5 pm on Sunday.
 
fencersmother said:
As I recall, my cadets didn't have to return until Monday, by 7 pm, but that can and will change.

Their 4* year, IT SNOWED all over the eastern seaboard on that Monday after TG... OH MY GOSH! So many of the cadets were very very late getting back. I believe those who alerted their commanders were ok, but woe woe woe to those who just figured the CO knew his/her situation.
Click to expand...

For the past two years DD had to return by Sunday at 1900. It is the same for this year as well.
 
I can't handle Southwest's boarding policies, but DD flew them for Xmas break & had no issues.
 
Oh that's sad that they have to return by Sunday. It was so much nicer having that full day, then the rush to return.

I remember so clearly paying over $1100 for them to fly home for TG, then less then $450 for the pair to return two weeks later for Christmas break. Worth every penny, especially that 4* year.
 
How do the cadets get from the Academy Campus to places like Denver for their flight? Is there a shuttle, or do they have to make their own arrangements?
 
Our DS used the Colorado Shuttle once which will pick up and drop off at the nearby hotels. He then gets a ride from friends to campus. Fortunately he has a very generous sponsor family that has taken him up to Denver and also picked him up numerous times.
 
Averyc, there are shuttles for the major breaks to and from DIA, thanksgiving, winter and spring break. Mine has never used it, always finds a way to get a ride. This is one thing I have always left up to him.

Do join your local parent club, they will send out the shuttle schedules as they are released.

Book early but consider Southwest or another airline that allows changes as they never know exact times until late.
 
My DD has used the bus service from USAFA.
Vandenberg ORC-ROOM ICI5 (719) 333-4602
Roundtrip to DIA is $45; CS airport is $30

They work with you to determine the best dropoff and pickup times. They also will wait on the cadet if the flight is late.

Cadets can also catch a ride with upperclassmen by asking or using the FalconRide app.
 
My kids were more adventurous. They would fly into DIA without any ride back to COS arranged. Yes. That's right. Born under a bright sun, they made it back every time no problem. I, however, now have an ulcer. :)
 
fencersmother said:
My kids were more adventurous. They would fly into DIA without any ride back to COS arranged. Yes. That's right. Born under a bright sun, they made it back every time no problem. I, however, now have an ulcer. :)
Click to expand...

If you decide to fly into Denver please please please do not do this. It is not only stressful for the parents but also for the squadron leadership (both cadet and permanent party) responsible for the students. There have been multiple instances in my squad alone where a driver has to make a trip back up to Denver, sometimes in very late bad weather, to pick up a cadet when there would have had room on their first trip.

COS Airport is only about 30 min away from USAFA, so much more forgiving, but I would still try to plan ahead.
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
My DD has used the bus service from USAFA.
Vandenberg ORC-ROOM ICI5 (719) 333-4602
Roundtrip to DIA is $45; CS airport is $30

They work with you to determine the best dropoff and pickup times. They also will wait on the cadet if the flight is late.

Cadets can also catch a ride with upperclassmen by asking or using the FalconRide app.
Click to expand...

What is the FalconRide app? My DS was recently stranded at DIA due to plane delays. They finally managed to find a ride but I don't think any of them knew of this app. At least he never mentioned it to me.
 
Rocko said:
USAFA83GradWife said:
My DD has used the bus service from USAFA.
Vandenberg ORC-ROOM ICI5 (719) 333-4602
Roundtrip to DIA is $45; CS airport is $30

They work with you to determine the best dropoff and pickup times. They also will wait on the cadet if the flight is late.

Cadets can also catch a ride with upperclassmen by asking or using the FalconRide app.
Click to expand...

What is the FalconRide app? My DS was recently stranded at DIA due to plane delays. They finally managed to find a ride but I don't think any of them knew of this app. At least he never mentioned it to me.
Click to expand...

It can be downloaded to i-phone or android for cadets only (You must have a valid usafa.edu email address for registration and login.)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teelsoft.falconride.cadets&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id958268584?mt=8

The upperclassmen can post that they have room in their car, with a request (i.e. gas money) and the seat can be reserved.

Or the cadet can request a ride.
 
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AFrpaso, I would agree that it is AWFUL for parents who just two or three years before had arranged most things for their kids. But I am fairly certain that at least for the guys in my sons' squads, this happened more than one would think.

One time, Twin A got bumped up to first class and wound up sitting next to a colonel (or some general, I forget now), with whom he struck up a conversation. Said officer proffered a ride to USAFA, AND took son out for a steak dinner. Providence is sometimes very kind. :)
 
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