General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Flying In Friday Rss Feed  
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2013-09-05 7:36 PM


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Subject: Flying In Friday
Does anyone fly in Friday for their event or is that too close for comfort? It'd be the only time I could get off work.


2013-09-05 8:26 PM
in reply to: mrbeachbum2

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Alpharetta, Georgia
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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday

Originally posted by mrbeachbum2 Does anyone fly in Friday for their event or is that too close for comfort? It'd be the only time I could get off work.

Gotta think about the risks of things out of your control - like weather delays and maintenance delays (causing missed connections or cancelled flights) and risk of bike not making the flight/connection if you're flying with it. Add that to most IMs requiring a Friday athlete check in and you run a significant risk IMO.

2013-09-05 9:29 PM
in reply to: mrbeachbum2

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday

Saturday events you need to check in by Thursday. Sunday events you need to check in by Friday.

How comfortable you are with delays or canceled flights is personal. 

For IM races checking in the first day is usually quick and second day can be much longer line.

2013-09-06 6:13 AM
in reply to: KathyG


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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday
Very true. I have a thin stomach lining for changing connections and delays. Debating if I can do IMWI 2014 and will only have Friday-Monday off. It's about a 13 hour drive. May have to drive 5-6 hours right after I get off work
2013-09-06 8:56 AM
in reply to: mrbeachbum2

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday
not sure your work schedule, but could you front load hours earlier in the week...like do 10 hours a couple of days during the week, to give you a bit of a buffer...not sure if ppl can or not - I know that I have an option, so to save leave, I try to build up a few extra hours of work, to give me some wiggle-room
2013-09-06 8:58 AM
in reply to: austhokie


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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday
It's a residency program where there's no budge- unless if I want to make up time after I should be complete, unfortunately.


2013-09-06 3:04 PM
in reply to: mrbeachbum2

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday
no day for day switches that you could do - i.e. work a saturday for someone when you are off (assuming residency means med school?) or are there legal requirements (too much time/hours/time off required)
2013-09-06 3:14 PM
in reply to: mrbeachbum2

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday

Woman in my IM Canada Facebook page posted Friday morning that her Air Canada flight was canceled.   She was able to rebook on another airline, and got there at 4:55, 5 minutes before it closed.  I cannot imagine the extra stress that caused.

HOWEVER, and though I wouldn't count on it, I would carry the local IM RD contact number from the website and call them if something like that happened.  I have heard of exceptions being made, but it's not always public for obvious reasons

2013-09-08 7:16 PM
in reply to: ChrisM

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday
I had this whole thing filled out about how bad of an idea that is but then realized that it's a Sunday race

I'll tell my story anyway though: Southwest called me literally over 10 times (not joking) with status updates on how late my flights were for my return trip. Luckily my connecting flight was also delayed 4+ hours, so I didn't need to rebook but man flying adds a TON of stress on unknowns. So much so, that I decided to only do races next year that are in driving distance. Also keep in mind you need to put your bike back together, and that's no 5 minute job to make sure you need things were they need to be.

I think you'll be fine, barring any delays. Just try to arrive early in the day to check in, put bike together, etc. I did a Saturday race this year and I flew in Thursday and arrived at hotel at ~7pm (SF rush hour traffic ugg!). Got everything ready and then went to expo and mandatory race meeting the next day. I wish you luck though. I'm doing IMWI and maybe I'll see you there I think you'll be fine though. Flying back on Monday will suck though. I took a day off and did nothing but watch tv and hit the hotel hot tub the day after. I did NOT want my sore legs to be stuck on a cramped plane and I didn't want to break down my bike right after the race but it's worth it if that's what your schedule only allows.
2013-09-08 7:44 PM
in reply to: Blastman

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday

Originally posted by Blastman I had this whole thing filled out about how bad of an idea that is but then realized that it's a Sunday race .

Problem is if it's a WTC race mandatory heck in by Friday at 5 PM< and they clearly state several places if you don't meet that deadline you don't race.   Getting in at 7 doesn't help. 

2013-09-08 8:54 PM
in reply to: ChrisM

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday
Eeks alright. I did a non-IM branded full and a IM branched 1/2 this year but neither had this requirement (both had day before check in + meeting). Good to know. I just looked at the IMWI 2013 guide and it has check in on Friday and then bike check and meeting on Saturday. Seems pretty inconvenient to schedule it that way but whatever. Can't change it and need to follow the rules. Risk factor is pretty high then unless you can guarantee an early flight but even then, it's cutting it close.


2013-09-08 9:47 PM
in reply to: Blastman

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Subject: RE: Flying In Friday

Originally posted by Blastman Eeks alright. I did a non-IM branded full and a IM branched 1/2 this year but neither had this requirement (both had day before check in + meeting). Good to know. I just looked at the IMWI 2013 guide and it has check in on Friday and then bike check and meeting on Saturday. Seems pretty inconvenient to schedule it that way but whatever. Can't change it and need to follow the rules. Risk factor is pretty high then unless you can guarantee an early flight but even then, it's cutting it close.

Yeah, WTC gets some flak for its 2 day before check in, perhaps guaranteeing local hotels higher occupancy (the cynic in me asks...)?   I am thinking about a quick IM weekend next year, I'd love to fly Friday but not sure I'd risk it with cancellations etc.

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