<p>Hi,
I need to get organized for moving in days, and I need help. My parents and I want to go a day early for several reasons. Freshman are to arrive on campus on the 29th, but my parents and I want to leave on the 27th and take an overnight flight. This will allow us to spend the 28th going to IKEA, checking out the area, etc. without crowds and my parents have to be back home by that Friday evening, so they will be leaving on the 29th in the morning (probably right after they drop me off at 9 AM, I believe).</p>
<p>I'm flying from the LAX to Yale, and I need suggestions on the following:
1)I need help finding airlines. I was thinking Tweed would be a good option (we don't mind the three connecting flights) since it is only a 15 min cab ride away, but I have been suggested not to do that b/c it is more expensive.</p>
<p>So, I'm not sure where to fly into. I will be bringing in all of my clothes, books, etc. but my furnishings are already at Yale. My main concern is that, if we don't take Tweed, we won't be able to fit everything in a train.</p>
<p>2) Should we rent a car? My parents don't want to do this, but it seems necessary. One of my roommates will have her mom there with a car in case we need anything for a few days.</p>
<p>3) Should I bring everything with me via plane? My parents are for this idea, but I don't know. Would it be cheaper to just bring 1 suitcase with things for a week and ship everything else via UPS?</p>
<p>4) My parents and I were planning to stay at the Omni for Thursday night. When we go to IKEA, etc. and buy some of the larger things (such as a lamp), would it be a good idea to just store them at the Omni for the night until we can move in on Friday. I will be alone basically moving in b/c my parents will be on their way home by that point. How can I transport everything from the hotel room to wherever? I heard that you basically just have to put your stuff in a pile (?) or in a car with your room number/residential college sign, and people move it for you. But I don't know how to even get all my things to the college...</p>
<p>Thanks a million. I'm really lost right now.</p>
<p>You can fly into either NY LaGuardia for ease of egress (not Kennedy), Westchester (HPN), or Bradley. All three should offer you better direct/fewer connects than Tweed. Those three are all assuming you'll rent a car. LaGuardia is an hour and a half or more on a good day, traffic contingent, direct route is I95, a commuter's nightmare during the week. During heavy traffic, three hours would not be an unreasonable estimate.</p>
<p>Westchester is a smaller regional, close to NYC on the Connecticut border with all major car rental companies on site. Check their kiosk hours if you are arriving at an odd time, as not all are open 24/7. Easy in, easy out, Route 15 (Merrit Parkway to I95). Nice scenic drive, but can be a bear during rush hour.</p>
<p>Bradley outside of Hartford may be your best bet. Normally, an hour and a halfish to New Haven via I91 to I95. You are travelling against the worst of the commuter traffic, not with it. Expect delays through Hartford, and into New Haven during commuting hours.</p>
<p>You may want to repost in the CC's Yale forum. The question gets asked repeatedly. If you search, you'll find existing threads there.</p>
<p>Agree that you should search the numerous threads re moving in/moving to opposite coast etc.</p>
<p>Lots of the info and opinions re how much to bring vs. how much to buy there are covered (my opinion: buy most there).</p>
<p>The specifics re Yale locale would be best handled on Yale thread as violadad suggests.</p>
<p>The one complication I see in your situations is re: rental car. I would also advocate for a car. But I'm not sure how that would work if your parents depart while you still need the car for move-in, as it can be difficult to get a car that you can drive at your age. Solution might be either no car or rental car which parents take back when they leave; your roommate's mom to help beyond that. I know that I was happy to get things/drive a friend who was carless to Target/BB&B etc. when my S moved in as a freshman.</p>
<p>We just bought our tickets and rented a car. Thank you! :) We got our tickets late enough so it will be easy for us to drop things off and for them to still get on the plane - thanks Jmmom for that helpful advice!</p>
<p>Check to see what the charges for extra bags are. Back in the day when we took our D from one coast to the other, you could check 2 bags for free, so if you brought 2 parents to help you move, you had 6 bags you could use. No need to ship.</p>
<p>Check to see what the policy of your airline is--things have changed!!</p>
<p>Don't bring your winter stuff--buy it there or ship later. </p>
<p>I would wait to see that stuff is in the room before I buy.</p>
<p>Agreed re waiting to see room before buying.</p>
<p>EG, my son wanted neither a lamp nor special chair upon seeing how his room was configured. There wouldn't even have been a good place to site a separate bedside lamp for his particular room.</p>
<p>If you read the threads here on cc, you'd presume no one can abide the school-supplied lamp or chair. But lots of people can, and you might well be one.</p>
<p>Nor did he <em>ever</em> want all the cool storage bins etc. that I was so drawn to, etc. </p>
<p>::mom counts her blessings for frugal son::
::and especially so, now knowing what a pain it is to move all of that stuff OUT at the end of each year; find what to do with it over the summer; and then get it back IN to new room next season::</p>