USAFA Traveling arrangements on breaks

[Nativa68]

I am trying to book flight for my DD on the 22 Nov but how can I guess what is the LMD "Last Military duty" time?

 

[Bigrod]

If she is a doolie there is really no way to guess what her duty will be but over the last few years my DS has flown out of COS mostly since it was easier to get a ride and got him the last flight out of there usually worked. If going to Denver I wouldn’t get a flight out until after 7pm. Usually done with class by 3pm and then some duty back at squadron to get released for the break. Drive can be little over hour up to two depending on traffic and weather (snow). Also we use Southwest and one way tickets because of their easy last minute changes. You can also book two outbound flights if you want to try earlier flight around 5pm and if can’t make it just cancel and use credit another time.

 

[T-37IP]

I am trying to book flight for my DD on the 22 Nov but how can I guess what is the LMD "Last Military duty" time?

Too soon to guess. They'll have a much better feel in October.

 

[Nativa68]

If she is a doolie there is really no way to guess what her duty will be but over the last few years my DS has flown out of COS mostly since it was easier to get a ride and got him the last flight out of there usually worked. If going to Denver I wouldn’t get a flight out until after 7pm. Usually done with class by 3pm and then some duty back at squadron to get released for the break. Drive can be little over hour up to two depending on traffic and weather (snow). Also we use Southwest and one way tickets because of their easy last minute changes. You can also book two outbound flights if you want to try earlier flight around 5pm and if can’t make it just cancel and use credit another time.

If she is a doolie there is really no way to guess what her duty will be but over the last few years my DS has flown out of COS mostly since it was easier to get a ride and got him the last flight out of there usually worked. If going to Denver I wouldn’t get a flight out until after 7pm. Usually done with class by 3pm and then some duty back at squadron to get released for the break. Drive can be little over hour up to two depending on traffic and weather (snow). Also we use Southwest and one way tickets because of their easy last minute changes. You can also book two outbound flights if you want to try earlier flight around 5pm and if can’t make it just cancel and use credit another time.

Thankyou so much for your reply!

 

[justdoit19]

If she is a doolie there is really no way to guess what her duty will be but over the last few years my DS has flown out of COS mostly since it was easier to get a ride and got him the last flight out of there usually worked. If going to Denver I wouldn’t get a flight out until after 7pm. Usually done with class by 3pm and then some duty back at squadron to get released for the break. Drive can be little over hour up to two depending on traffic and weather (snow). Also we use Southwest and one way tickets because of their easy last minute changes. You can also book two outbound flights if you want to try earlier flight around 5pm and if can’t make it just cancel and use credit another time.

Watch the double bookings. Twice now, my son has had one of those double booked flights cancelled, with no notification. I happened to notice it the first time, when checking if fares went down (BTW…SW’s recent change to ‘non expiring flight credits’ is GREAT news for rebooking at lower fares!!) for him, and BOOM his flight wasn’t even there.

I called and inquired up the ladder. Because I was curious. Response was, that they now use a new logarithm that may automatically cancel a ‘double booked flight’. Not right away, but at some point. They said it’s ‘assumed to be a mistake’, when double booked.

I was able to get the correct flight (that they cancelled, and now not available at the lower fare) rebooked, for the lower price. But had to make calls and spend time on it. My biggest complaint, was that there wasn’t any notification to my son, of them cancelling. Lesson is, check the flights if double booking.

BTW, they said double booking is allowed. They just use this new logarithm to find them and *MAY* automatically cancel one. No notice.

 

[Peter2025]

I am trying to book flight for my DD on the 22 Nov but how can I guess what is the LMD "Last Military duty" time?

It's pretty commonly the last class for thanksgiving break. I believe it's rare for squadrons to schedule DDTs or other duties on the day we leave for thanksgiving. My recommendation, as others have said, would be too book now and adjust at a later date if needed. That's what I do at least.

 

[Stealth_81]

We gave our son the login to our Orbitz account and told him to book his flights when he found out his schedule. That way we knew there was no miscommunication or worry about having to change flights. Let them take on some responsibility.

Stealth_81

 

[Clar]

The typical answer is LMD on the 22nd will most likely(like 95%, except for ICs) be the last class period, which at the latest ends at 1538 Local. I would say 2.5hrs is a safe time frame for Denver if you take the 1600 shuttle, or 1.5hrs for COS.

 

[SpiritCommitteeLiaison]

You need to coordinate with your cadet. Not only is it LMD, but its with AOC permission/Wing permission. Yes, the AOC usually says its last military duty, however, a few years ago, the Wing Staff declared no one could leave until 1700.

Moral of the story? Ask your cadet.

 

[crymsonwynters]

You need to coordinate with your cadet. Not only is it LMD, but its with AOC permission/Wing permission. Yes, the AOC usually says its last military duty, however, a few years ago, the Wing Staff declared no one could leave until 1700.

Moral of the story? Ask your cadet.

Commandant has established LMD as when sign-out logs open. Don't know when it changed from the wing discretion that you described, but CS&D currently states passes/breaks open at LMD.