<p>it could be that the ship has been neglecting to send out their SEAS Met Obs messages…</p>
<p>deepdraft1 knows how sailwx works better then I do…but the point I’ll make is that it if the ship doesn’t send in those messages nothing gets posted on that website…</p>
<p>OK all you A split folks and parents that have more experience at sea year. MY son is out on his first sea year split. At this point he has no idea when he will end his time at sea and if he can come home before returning to kings point on report day 11/04. When will he get this info…can he come home from sea duty on the free transportation or does he have to go back to kings point before coming home…we would like to book a flight for him while the fares are reasonble, but not sure for when, or where from and to…help. Does the ATR play a role in this or what???</p>
<p>cjcatl-Your son may not find out until right before he gets off the ship, and if he is told really early when he’s getting off it may change–both happened to my son (who was on the same split). One year we picked him up at the port he disembarked at, since it was only 2 hrs away, and took him home until he had to report back. The other year he & his sea partner actually came back AFTER classes started (I think it was a Thursday) and had to report back at the end of that weekend, so he came home for 2 days. Luckily we live in PA so it was easy to come home on the train, I see you’re in Georgia so that presents more difficulties. It’s not unusual to come back after classes start, so the school accommodates them for that. But I don’t think I’d book a flight, things change too fast and often with Sea Year. If he doesn’t get home, he’ll have Thanksgiving right around the corner. The ATR always plays a role, but nothing is definite until it happens!</p>
<p>I agree with KPMom06. Our son, on his second sea duty travels, was due in Long Beach at a certain time. So, he made reservations for an airline ticket for a flight ‘safely’ later that evening. Sure enough, the phone rang, and he asked that we cancel that reservation and schedule him for a later flight. His ship did not come in on time. Ultimately, we lost the money for the first reservation, as it was on an airline that isn’t too common on the East Coast, and the flight times were not compatible. The airline gave us option of using the ticket up to a year, but it didn’t pan out. So, my advice is, don’t make reservations ahead for sea travelling midshipmen. It’s too big a gamble. </p>
<p>MountaineerMom</p>
<p>The school will only pay for travel from Kings Point to your assignment (port) and vice versa. Lets say your son gets off in California. Once he knows he is getting off, find out what a flight costs from CA to GA, then find out what a flight costs from Kings Point (NY) to Georgia. The school may fly him from CA to NY for 500 and then its 150 for you to fly him home, but at the same time it may be 400 to fly him directly home. So have him fly to KP first because the gov’t will pay for most of it. See what I’m saying?</p>
<p>work the system!</p>
<p>thanks all…this really helps…I was hoping if it cost 500 to fly to KP…they would fly him to Ga for 5oo or less…and we could pay to fly him back to kp…meaning it would be cheaper for us to fly him one way back to kp then round trip from kp…also give him more time at home if he flew in direct from either Oakland or Tacoma…versus via KIngs Point. He was so funny in his comment to me…“Well they taught us how to get to the ship…but not how to return…” I definately will not book a flight at this time after all your advise…and will not set my expectations to see him till Thanksgiving…hopefully we will be pleasantly surprised…</p>
<p>This past weekend my son’s ship docked in NY after having left Seattle 78 days prior. He had a fantastic trip with stops in Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Suez and back to NY. We flew up to NY to meet him and got a tour of the ship, met some of the crew and helped him pack his gear. We were able to spend the weekend with him before we dropped him off for a flight to Hawaii where the poor guy is to spend 6 weeks on a Matson ship between Hawaii and the west coast. It was great to catch up with him and hear about his experiences. We were able to play three rounds of golf and go to the Yankees game. If you want to talk and hear about all of his experiences a round of golf or sitting at a ball park is a wonderful way to do it. They don’t feel like you are giving them the third degree. So far no complaints and his experiences have more than made up for plebe year. One funny note when he flew into Hawaii the USO called him a taxi and they took him to the BOQ at Pearl Harbor. They couldn’t quite figure out what he was and why would he be sailing on a merchant ship rather than a Navy ship.</p>
<p>One travel note if you can figure out the logistics check out flying into Westchester county airport (White Plains) versus Laguardia or any of the other NY airports. It took me three minutes to check in and go through security and in the off hours it’s only a 45 minute drive to the academy. I know from Atlanta it is also the least expensive flight to the NY area. $140 roundtrip.</p>
<p>
Yeah, the “Pineapple Run” is real tough. 
Which Matson ship is he going to? Sounds like his first ship was one of the APL ships redeploying to the Atlantic… Maybe the PRESIDENT POLK or the PRESIDENT TRUMAN…?</p>
<p>he will love matson…im on matson ship now, granted in shipyard, but they are great ships and crew is usually a happy one. also GREAT food</p>
<p>How you doing gg? Still in China? Hope you are having a great adventure!</p>
<p>Haha yes still in China and still yet to be underway one day during sea year. Oh well atleast we’ve all been put up in a really nice hotel and are all day workers and get to enjoy the city every night and a lot of time to do my projects.</p>
<p>Wow GG that’s crazy…enjoy the hotel and the R&R! My husband just got back from Shantou and Shanghai…be careful what you eat…but either way from what I hear it has to be better than Delano :D</p>
<p>He just got off the President Polk and is on the SS Maui. The crew is friendly in fact he is playing golf today with the Captain and Chief Engineer at the Navy Marine golf club @ Pearl. 3 days off in Honolulu then 3 days sail then 3 days off in Kali, tough duty, it takes a special person to do that job. Just knowing that he going to have to do that 3 or 4 times just breaks my heart!</p>
<p>One other note, the engine cadet is from Great Lakes Maritime, which is great he gets to compare notes about their respective schools. Any other cadets run into cadets from other Academy’s, if so which ones?</p>
<p>
Are you sure he is golfing with the Captain and the Chief? I’m hearing a slightly different story…</p>
<p>Correction from the wife, 3rd mate, got my mates, captains and engineers crossed. I understand that they share the car with all these guys.</p>
<p>Just heard from our son, his ship is in Tulear Madagascar. He said that this is the most undeveloped port on the trip. He said that the locals came out in canoes to sell them goods. He is working a lot and is enjoying the entire experience. Not much rest and relaxation on this ship.</p>
<p>Just adding my two cents…</p>
<p>When I was at KP, many of my classmates quit during Sea-Year for a plethora of reasons. Depending on the ship, route, living conditions, conformity to the dreaded sea project, etc. This isolated environment really can test your allegiance to completing the program at KP. Many of nights crossing the Pacific I wondered if I should have went elsewhere for college. Fortunately, I made the right decision to stick it out.</p>
<p>The experience was well worth it and is paying dividends now!</p>