Thanksgiving Travel & Reservations

<p>Good day.
This group is awesome in the information shared for I-day, and to help us prepare our plebes. We are going to PPW, but am looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas.</p>

<p>My question is, the USNA AC calendar shows Thanksgiving on Nov 27 & 28. The Midshipmen should be able to leave the Yard Wednesday afternoon, so can I make flight arrangements for Wed say after 5:00pm? Do you know what time they must report back on Sunday? </p>

<p>Finally, what (and what are the odds) that they may be required to stay on the Yard over the holidays?</p>

<p>Thanks to all, for responses to this, and to all information provided to help us along!</p>

<p>LS</p>

<p>PS - Go 18th company - YARD DOGS!</p>

<p>I'll defer to others in terms of exact times. Most mids are free for Thanksgiving WE, provided they are "sat" in terms of academics, phys ed, and conduct and don't need to stay for varsity athletic practice. Typically, watch/duty is covered by those who are already "stuck" at USNA, those who can't fiancially or time-wise afford to go home (i.e., those living in Hawaii), or those who live in the local area.</p>

<p>Understand that if you make reservations early the potential is always there that you may have to rebook, some airlines will wave the fees if you frame the change based on a "change in orders" for an individual on active duty. </p>

<p>Also make sure you make reservations to put you on the ground at BWI no later than 4 fours before your s/d is due to report, assuming a Mid can demonstrate that they acted responsbily in planning your trip; ie a 4 hour buffer, in the event you are hung up on a return and miss a reporting time you can point to your effort to get back with an adequate margin of time. </p>

<p>Though much of last year is already a blur, from what I do recall most leaves required a return at 18:00 hours, with the leave officially ending at 22:00 hours. I would wait until after reform and the start of the semester before making your reservations so you have as much information as possible, it still may change but....</p>

<p>I noticed also in the handout it said liberty expired at 6PM December 1 which I thought to be unusual. That's MONDAY.</p>

<p>FYI,</p>

<p>I recall Thanksgiving Leave expired at 1800 (meaning you had to book a flight in by 1400) because we had class the next day. Who knows if CAPT Klunder will follow the same routine?</p>

<p>Note: If you live quite a distance away, advise your plebe NOT TO reside in Bancroft Hall, if possible. Go to your sponsors, your friend's sponsors, or whatever. The last thing you want to do is wake up for daily accountability musters and stand watch, when it isn't required.</p>

<p>I would have to agree to wait a bit more before booking reservations. A lot can change between now and Thanksgiving. </p>

<p>Usually leave will start "following the last obligation"... which differs for everyone. Obligations include class, watch, athletics, etc..... and right now the academic class schedules have not been posted. </p>

<p>Leaving for home at 5pm might be tight if they have class until 3:30.... it takes at least 30 minutes to arrive at BWI providing there is no traffic- and the lines at airport security can be long (especially for a plebe traveling in uniform- the metal dectors can be a hassle with all the "metal" on their uniforms!) Even when you get their schedule, it would be wise to book a fare that is either changable or refundable- lots can happen to alter plans.</p>