<p>Hi all,
I’m booking flights for Thanksgiving & Christmas break (from San Diego airport to Oakland airport). and I was wondering…</p>
<li><p>Do we have to pack up EVERYTHING during these breaks when we leave for home? Or do we only have to take the essentials (laptop, etc).</p></li>
<li><p>How can we get to San Diego airport from UCSD? By buses? Or is there a transportation system that’s similar to BART so we can take a lot of luggage with us? (If you can provide a website that shows the departure times and such for the buses, that’ll be awesome!)</p></li>
<li><p>What is the latest final testing period right before Christmas break? Is it safe to book a 7:55PM flight, or should I go for a earlier/later one?</p></li>
<li><p>Any tips? That’ll probably be the first time I’m flying by myself. :)</p></li>
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<p>Google "San Diego MTS" and search for routes 150 and 992. Route 150 takes you from UCSD (Gilman Dr.) to Downtown San Deigo where you can transfer to Route 992. Route 992 takes you straight from downtown to the airport, whatever terminals you like. This route takes awhile (60-90 mins depending on traffic) but costs only $2.25. When you get your UCSD ID it should become free. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to do this and it isn't easy to get lost.</p>
<p>The other alternative that many people use is the Cloud 9 shuttle (also Google) which I think costs $18.75 and is probably a lot faster. But keep in mind, real men take the public transit system because its free!! (kidding)</p>
<p>You don't have to pack up everything but if you are living in the residence halls, they want you out during the entire break. Taking what you need over the break is fine. I don't know if it differs by college though. I am basing this answer on the way Muir handles their breaks and dorms.</p>
<p>If you live in the apartments, I believe you're free to stay in the apartments during the breaks.</p>
<p>But do I really have to be out of the dorms during Thanksgiving? It's only four days (two days plus weekend) and the flights right now are quite expensive, I'm thinking of just staying at SD. Is the dining hall still open during Thanksgiving? Or am I forced to leave?</p>
<p>hahahaha, the smart people already booked all the $49 flights, and being the cheap asian that I am :), my family's probably going to end up coming down to SD rather than me flying home.</p>
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But do I really have to be out of the dorms during Thanksgiving? It's only four days (two days plus weekend) and the flights right now are quite expensive, I'm thinking of just staying at SD
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<p>If you really want to stay in SD, I would suggest you befriend an upperclassmen with an apartment on-campus and stay with him/her. I know someone who didn't want to spend Christmas with her folks so after she got kicked out of the Muir dorms, she went straight to the Marshall apts.</p>
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<li><p>No, all you have to do is get yourself out of the dorms. You can leave everything else behind, but it would be smart to take along your valuables. </p></li>
<li><p>UCSD provides free shuttle rides to the San Diego International Airport during the end of finals week. You'll need to reserve yourself a spot by registering on their site once they begin registration (URL was given in post #7). An alternative would be to ask a friend to give you a ride. I wouldn't recommend riding the city buses because I'd imagine you would be lugging around 2-3 luggages.</p></li>
<li><p>The latest final testing period would be Friday of Finals Week at 7pm. However, your last final will vary according to your respective classes' final schedule. I don't see why it wouldn't be safe to have a 7:55PM flight. But also keep in mind of whoever is going to pick you up and if your arrival time works for them too.</p></li>
<li><p>DON"T wait until the last hours before your flight to start packing. Arrive to the airport 2-3 HOURS ahead because you're guaranteed a long line due to other students flying home as well. Don't forget your flight ticket and identification card because they're really anal about that. Tag your luggages somehow with your name or visible colors to distinguish them from the rest of the piles of luggage (An I.D. card stating your name and/or phone number/address would be handy. But divulge those information at your own discretion). Also, if you're flying Southwest Airlines, check your flight's status online before you head over there. They'll display if your flight has been delayed, canceled, or is going to be on time. Use their online check-in system to avoid the long check-in line too. DON"T FORGET YOUR KEYS!</p></li>
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