Any great ideas? Need help for Christmas!

[FarmerChick]

Amtrak was a pain when I checked going to Florida on it. It leaves from all over my area...but I have to train up to DC----Yup, the opposite direction then head back to FL....insane..LOL...and costly actually. I thought it would have been alot cheaper but it wasn't when I checked the route. I can drive to FL in 10hrs...by Amtrak it would have been like 17 hrs. with layovers and stops etc.


BUT
My brother flies down from NJ. He doesn't fly into Charlotte...way more expensive. He flies into Greenville SC and Dad drives about 2 hrs. to pick him up....way less money to land there.

SO have your son check a few airports and prices. Even if he goes off to another airport just a little further away the prices could be dramatically lower.

So far to try to get home cheaply. AL to WV I would think flying is worth every penny spent vs. the 15-16 hrs. to get home driving.

 

[delia_peterson]

Bee have you checked on train travel,..like Amtrack? He could go from Birgingham,AL to Martinsburg,WV for about $265 round trip. Plus they give a military discount also. Its a long ride, but what a way to travel!
By the way,..where is your closest bus terminal? I would say the bus is going to be the cheapest route.

Cool! He would love to go by train! I've always wanted to travel that way also.....but, alas, I think we are going to go with the bus.

Cheaper that way..... :/

I just figured one of you brilliant folks had an interesting solution Like a secret carpool ring or a one of those things like the folks who transport rescued dogs to their new owners.....

You folks are the greatest, you know that?

Bee, I wish we did have a secret carpool ring..if we could we would start one just for you...

 

[lorihadams]

Don't they offer military discounts for airfare??? Is there anyone there he could carpool with that's going north? Try cheaptickets.com or priceline......sometimes they have good deals. Good luck!

 

[sylvie]

Small airports have someone available to fly an organ transplant patient to the hospital free of charge, moment's notice. It is a sort of network.
There may be a generous soul willing to do something similar for your military son. It wouldn't hurt to call a few small private airports to inquire.

 

[TanksHill]

I was just pricing flying vs Amtrak yesterday. I was looking into Ca. to Mo and back.. I can't believe how much it cost. Definitely cheaper to drive I think. Oh and the Amtrak did the same thing here. All the way north back up to LA and then headed east.

I hope he can find a carpool ride. That would be ideal. Maybe someone old enough to rent a car would be interested if he paid half the cost?

When I was over seas you used to be able catch a flight for dirt free next to nothing if you flew in a military plane. Bare bones bench seat in the back of a plane I think. Don't they do that anymore??

good luck Bee.

gina

 

[On Our own]

Has he asked the USO? Or another option is the American Legion in his region. I recall volunteers from both organizations helping with things like transport.

They once drove my brother in three legs from Texas to PA to see his father when he was sick. Three volunteers drove him across the country just because he was military.

Also, check the base's social services. He may (I don't know you or him) not be aware of all of the connections they may have to help even when the military itself will not.....

 

[big brown horse]

I would love to volunteer to do that! I would be honored to drive a soldier in need home!

(BTW y'all I have a soldier boy too, he is my daughter's 1/2 brother...he is Iraq at the moment.)

 

[On Our own]

Bee can you PM me with his branch and unit? I am contacting my social services network. May not pan out, but I am on it.

 

[big brown horse]

Bee can you PM me with his branch and unit? I am contacting my social services network. May not pan out, but I am on it.

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Bee can you PM me with his branch and unit? I am contacting my social services network. May not pan out, but I am on it.

Second that!
BIL (Step SIL's hubby) was injured 2 years ago and was flown by military medical transport to Germany. A Great (not just good) samaritan brought him to the states in a private plane. Thankfully he wasn't gravely injured, just leg damage mostly.