<p>Does anyone know what time plebes will be released for Thanksgiving weekend? We heard it is noon on Wednesday, 26 November. Is a bus provided to take students to BWI? What time must they be back on the 30th? Thanks.</p>
<p>In the past (as in last year) they had to be back on the yard by 6pm. Remember though that they are supposed to plan on being back in the area 4 hours before report time, so if flying the flight should be getting into BWI about 2pm. Release time has varied. If you are looking at booking flights this early, I would play it safe and not book before 4pm.</p>
<p>When they say, "last military duty," does anyone know when the latest possible time would be? Is it safer for a Plebe to travel very early on Thanksgiving?</p>
<p>Ask your Mid, they'll know for sure but it's probably a good idea not a good idea to schedule any flights earlier than 2 or 3 PM on Wednesday. There's no bus to take the Mids to BWI so they have to depend on either rides or taxis.</p>
<p>Check Super Shuttle for group rates and pick up at Gate one to BWI.</p>
<p>"Last military duty"... can mean a whole host of things.
It all depends-
when their last class gets out-
if they have pulled "watch"-
if they have any extra duty "earned" for demerits-
it's a crap shoot.</p>
<p>Personally, 2pm or 3pm flight time might be too early for most-
when scheduling, just keep in mind they have a full day of classes at the very least- so that runs until 3pm or so-
then there is the rush back to Bancroft for their "stuff"...15 minutes or so depending on where they are coming from and where they are going to in Bancroft- then to Gate 1 for their "ride" (and the traffic there while everyone else is catching theirs) -then the ride to BWI with all the other holiday traffic heading north- so what normally takes 30 minutes can turn into an hour-plus....
and then getting through security- if they have their uniforms on (plebes will have them on)- tack on a few extra minutes at security just to get all their buttons through the metal detector....(amazing how much "metal" they have on them!)
so a 2pm-3pm might be very ambitious- </p>
<p>Profmom says 4pm- and she is probably right- 5pm-6pm would be more like it to play it safe....
worst case scenario they have to sit in BWI for a bit - (there is a room available for military that they can access) but far better than the stress of missing a flight and running the risk of not getting another one out-</p>
<p>word to the wise- just be sure that whatever ticket you purchase can be changed....
at least for the flight home.</p>
<p>going back on Sunday is easier to judge-
they have to be back - in their company areas- by 6pm Sunday.
They- the Mids- will be expected to anticipate any possible things that might delay their return- even the unexpected- thus, the rule of thought is that they should have a flight that gets them in at least 4 hours prior to the 6pm mark- so back in BWI by 2pm latest. As long as they do that- even if they get delayed from that point for something unexpected, like a cancelled flight, or weather, they will be OK (providing they make the appropriate calls)- but that does not hold up to scrutiny if their scheduled flight only got them in less than that 4-hour window of time.</p>
<p>Also have your mid speak to someone at USNA- seem to recall at least one holiday where there were a few busses going to BWI- I could be mistaken on that one (noting atrmom's post above)- will have to "ask" and will post if I get any info-not sure if the academy provided them or it was supper shuttle sending a bigger bus-</p>
<p>Several of our plebes are flying out of BWI at 5:15 PM that Wednesday..........(with fully refundable/exchangable tickets).....probably doing the Super Shuttle to the airport, unless a sponsor parent or Firstie volunteers .......my plebe and I checked out the USO at BWI during PPW (waiting for g/f to arrive).......it's safe, clean, roomy, a secure locker area for baggage , flight info, wifi, free juice, snacks,coffee, widescreen tv........clean restrooms, playing cards, and comfortable lounge chairs....the attendants working the facility were VERY helpful and friendly to my plebe......located on lower level of terminal. 2 thumbs up experience !.</p>
<p>Didn't know they had a USO at BWI. Only seems logical with the number of service personnel going through. I always liked the USO. They always treated us well and were very helpful if you had any kind of problem. I always worried about my Mid spending long hours @ BWI because of travel conflicts. Nice to know they have a decent place to hang out while waiting.
Thanks for the heads up.</p>
<p>USO's are great! My son had a 8 hour waiting between checking out of his hotel in San Diego (Pointsettia Bowl) and his flight back to DC so he spent that time in the USO. He could sleep without worrying about his stuff.</p>
<p>The USO can always use your support!</p>