<p>biggestfoot -- that's what we are going to try next year. I haven't ever used a video chat -- but it sounds great. My oldest is in Wales and it would be great to actually see him -- but I am not sure the computer network at his school is up to the challenge, it seems to have issues with lots of sites and such.</p>
<p>hsmomstef,</p>
<p>You might want to check up on the airlines, as a couple of them have now decreased the number of checked bags to 1 and it sounds like the rest (minus Southwest) are looking to follow.</p>
<p>It is going to be a bother for us if that happens and my D wants to fly her goalie stuff home as it won't fit in 1 airline-sized bag.</p>
<p>As an alternative to schleping stuff on planes, I've seen on the college side some parents suggesting UPS ground as a reasonably priced alternative for shipping - only if you live near a real UPS center (not Mailboxes etc. or other type retail outlets). </p>
<p>I mentioned the skates, but goaliegirl also had to take her repair kit out of her helmet bag (helmet goes in carry-on so it doesn't get crushed). It contains a few items that are also on the carry-on banned list for the airlines and even one item that she probably isn't allowed to have at school - shhhh! </p>
<p>As to the trip up at the beginning of the year, we (DW, goaliegirl, and I) drive up in our Mazda van, packed to the gills, as she has more stuff than most (goalie and player gear is quite bulky). I joke that we look like the Clampetts rolling into campus. Our trip is a little over 1000 miles (about 16 hours of hard driving) which I do the day before she is supposed to check in (spend 1 night in a hotel) and then turn around late in the afternoon check-in day and drive back through the night. Not for everyone, but after a few years of these types of trips for hockey, I'm quite used to it.</p>
<p>Another alternative is to buy as much as you can at school, and store it over the summer in a rental storage place. Bikes, winter clothes, bedding, fans, rugs don't need to be brought home and storage costs about the same as shipping.</p>
<p>I could do 16 hours -- but 30 is pushing it. by the time we arrive, I need a day to recover! I think we will plan on flying up a couple of days prior to check-in -- which will give us all time to adjust, pick up things he needs, and "get the lay of the land". We will plan to do just what you suggest -- store stuff over the summer in a rental locker. Right now, he doesn't have any sports equipment -- but it is amazing how just the normal, everyday stuff adds up.</p>
<p>My oldest left for BS with just a large backpack and a large duffel -- but he went to Wales, so shipping was extremely expensive. Plus -- he goes to an international boarding school where 90% of the kids are from countries other than the US. He was told upfront to bring very little -- that Americans always have too much. Most of the kids showed up with a single suitcase! (bedding is provided by the school).</p>
<p>I have been checking the airline policies -- Hopefully they will stay at 2 bags per piece until our initial visit. It might be worth spending a few more dollars to pick the airline that has the higher baggage allowance for that first trip.</p>
<p>And shouldn't a helmet be crush-proof?</p>
<p>Many schools have on site summer storage for the students who come from a long distance so you shouldn't have to rent a storage unit. You can always ship books, etc. Good luck.</p>
<p>In most directions, yes a goalie helmet is crush-proof. I've just learned never to give the opportunity to the Samsonite Gorillas (if you remember the commercial). Plus, the goalie helmet is often the most difficult piece to replace on the road if it gets lost. They are often on back order for months.</p>
<p>I remember waiting 2 months for her current helmet when a coach shattered her last one with a slapshot (it does happen). Fortunately it was during the summer, and she happened to be able to borrow someone's old helmet although it didn't fit very well.</p>
<p>Your idea of getting there a couple days in advance is a good one. Usually, freshmen not on a varsity sports team check in last at most schools, so if you show up a day or 2 early, you can generally get his stuff checked into his room and set up as the dorms are up and running.</p>
<p>We did this with goaliegirl and also used the opportunity to have her get to know the trainer, as she was still rehabbing a knee injury (torn meniscus). You can probably also get his schedule and possibly meet with his teachers in advance - a nice bonus if you cannot make it back for parent's weekend in the fall and have to do it by phone.</p>
<p>goaliedad -- that is great info about arriving early. We will have only visited once before (revisit day) and we live so far away, he is really going to be out of his comfort zone. I don't anticipate any significant homesicknesses issues or a big scene when we leave (I know that is why many schools rush the parents out the door) so I was really hoping to have time to get him settled into his room and make sure he has whatever he needs.</p>
<p>We are planning to return for parent's weekend -- even if I have to work a second job. We will just see him so little, that I want every opportunity. We will see him parent's weekend in the fall and spring and he will come home for Thanksgiving. Christmas he will spend with his brother in Spain and Spring Break seems to be an unknown (depending on sports and other opportunities). He is normally only home during the summer for about 3 weeks (hopefully more if BS doesn't start until the beginning of September) so that just doesn't give us much time with him.</p>
<p>I as a student am totally comfortable with flying by myself seeing as my family has taken planes often since I was born. I would just stress the rules to first time fliers, or even returning veterans. As exciting as it is to get the rush of being on your own outside of the school, it's important kids know the rules of the trade, I being one of them. The first time can be confusing but it will become easier as time goes on. Biggest rule of thumb though I would say is go to the gate as soon as you can without lingering, it makes things less stressful. Hopefully your children spending too much time in the airport gift shop is the only worry you parents will have in the many future crazy misadventures you are sure to encounter. Good luck to you all.</p>
<p>'father'
i wanted to be a plane ride away as i felt some of the schools were best. my dad wants be closer (short plane ride or 5 hour drive). I understand where he is coming from. However, I think the adventure would be good for me and allow me to learn and thus worth the sacrifice. I will have video computer ability so i can talk with him every night.</p>
<p>I'm from California, and going to school in Massachusetts. My reasons for branching out to the east coast are: </p>
<ol>
<li>Superior academics and educational opportunities </li>
<li>Finding myself without the help of my parents (perhaps that's who we really are?) </li>
<li>I'm allergic to almost all of the trees native to California, and almost none on the east coast. (leaving to go get a tissue after I write this) </li>
<li>Better English programs (I love to write) </li>
<li>In close proximity to most of my extended family, whereas California is about 3000 miles away. </li>
<li>I love flying! </li>
</ol>
<p>--Hellosunshine</p>
<p>Putting a child on a plane is a very difficult thing to do the first time you are doing it. hsmomstef did a GREAT job of giving info about it. I highly recommend the unaccompanied minor service especially for the first time your child will be flying alone. It takes away a lot of the worry. If a flight is delayed, etc. they completely take care of your child. It's worth the extra money. Many times kids book their flights with a friend later on and then have a buddy to be with.</p>
<p>It's tough to pack up a school year's worth of belongings which is why many parents choose to drive their kids at the beginning of the year and at the end if they can. And don't forget that many things needed can be bought when they get to the school. Schools do take kids on shopping trips to the mall and the grocery store.</p>
<p>The hardest thing for me to learn was to follow my kids and to listen to what they felt they needed and to realize that this wasn't about me. It was about them. I'm finally there and it's better. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Not sure about all airlines, but if you are using Northwest, it is mandatory to pay for the unaccompanied minor service until your child is 15. The fee for this program ranges between $50 - $100 per flight, depending on non-stop or connecting flight.</p>
<p>every airline has different policies (which seems strange to me, but whatever). On Southwest, once the child is 13 they are no longer required to be an unaccompanied minor. We are very careful to pick airlines that don't require him to be an unaccompanied minor, since he is used too travelling on his own. Not only do you have to pay the extra charge -- but it limits the flights you can book and many times requires non-stop service. for us, we just don't have the money to pay the additional costs.</p>
<p>I do recommend, though, that you pay the extra fees the first time or two that the child flies alone -- we did (he was 12, though -- so no option).</p>
<p>This will seem terribly sexist and, I can't remember where I heard it .... ever since either of my daughters has traveled, I have told them that if they are lost, scared, or need help .... and can't find a uniformed officer with ID - ask a woman for help. While not always the case, it seems that the vast majority of predators are men.</p>
<p>I know it must be because I've been going on 18 hour plane rides since I was a few weeks old, but I don't personally view flying as such a big deal. It's like taking a long bus ride or something. And yes, there's the confusion of terminals and the anxiety of terrorists, but if you ask for the help of airport staff and put things in perspective, it's not so scary after all.</p>
<p>My son traveled to Japan when he was 13 and returned alone. He was required to, as he and the other kids he met put it - be in unaccompianed minior "jail." In fact, he had a stop in a city where his aunt - with the same last name - lives and she went to see him. It was next to impossible for him to see her. They did let him for about 5 minutes. That was Northwest and they said it was because it was an international flight.
The next summer, he flew domestically and was not required (Southwest) to be an UM and it worked out fine. His plane was even delayed and he did great (no cell phone even).</p>