Anybody got any ideas - moving 400 kids

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Saw this story on one of the local news stations this morning. The school is in Chester County PA (in case the OP wants to keep the school name private). There are a couple of other high school bands/choirs in the region that are also trying to get out of PA to reach events in the south or west and can't get flights.

Red Lion's choir is performing in the Candlelight Processional later this week and Easton's band is peforming at one of the bowl games. All organizations are having trouble getting flights to their destinations in Fl, San Diego and Pasadena CA from anywhere on the east coast. Red Lion has arranged for a charter, but it can't accomodate all of the members, so they are still looking for flights for 40+ members from as far a way as DC/Dulles.

Good luck to all! I understand these kids worked hard to raise money for these trips and have practiced/performed their best to be asked to perform at these events. I hope they can make it to their destinations on time.

 

[Mkrop]

DId they look into Allentown or Harrisburg? I hope it works out for them. They are small airports but it might get them to a bigger airport more west and then they could connect. I hope they have the money for this. I am local, I need to see what school this is.

 

[msmayor]

I am in Chicago. Flights here are going--west. Flights going East, not so much. Our weather the past few days has been good, cold; but nothing to prevent flights.

I would see about getting the kids to Chicago--even if it means Amtrak; and getting a flight West.

Also--this sounds like the perfect opportunity for an airline to get some press. Southwest, United, American-----someone on the dis has to know someone?

Also call the organizers of the parade. The parade people probably have some big money/name sponsors.

Heck--call Oprah. Call your Congress people. Call everyone!

You make it sound like it shouldn't be any problem for SOME airline to come to their rescue...

Folks - its not like airlines have spare, unused planes just sitting around waiting to get called into service. Airlines are SCRAMBLING to get their schedules back on track, and while coming to the rescue of a band trying to get to their performance would be a great feel-good story, pulling a couple of planes out of service elsewhere (where there may be travelers who have been SLEEPING in the airport for days) isn't necessarily feasible.

I hope the travel agent can work things out and find a charter somewhere, because quite honestly that's about the only way I see a group that large getting any type of preference to travel together on such short notice.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Any news?

As a marching band mom since 2000, I really feel for these kids and want to know if they get there.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Any news?

As a marching band mom since 2000, I really feel for these kids and want to know if they get there.

Unfortunately, the chances of pulling this off in two days are slim. I wish them all the luck, but to move 300+ kids, and all others in this short a time will take some major luck.

 

[LuvOrlando]

At least one school, local to me, is getting some help from an airline.
I hope they got there ok
www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-marching-band-trip-20101228,0,263390.story

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

At least one school, local to me, is getting some help from an airline.
I hope they got there ok
www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-marching-band-trip-20101228,0,263390.story

That's so great!! I just looked up info for the OP's band, and they are CA bound either today or tomorrow. So happy for all of them. The same airline (Continental) as the Easton band, and also out of Newark. Looks like the Red Lion Choir was able to fly earlier today for tonight's CP.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I just looked up info for the OP's band, and they are CA bound either today or tomorrow.

What school is it?

 

[marcyinPA]

One of my DS15's best friends is in Easton's band. It was touch and go there for a while, but as of 3 pm, they had left the school for Newark for an 8pm flight.

They are in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.....they will get tomorrow to practice with the other bands.

A friend of mine from high school's daughter is in the band too...my friend was supposed to be going, but was on a different flight and so far has been unsuccessful finding a few flight. She did not purchase trip insurance and is sick over it.

OP, I hope the band was able to get out of here~ My DS's high school marched in the T.O.R's parade three years ago (before he was in HS) and I marched in it when I was a freshman in HS. It is an experience those kids will NEVER forget!!

ETA: I am now buying trip insurance for our Disney trip in February....just in case!

 

[marcyinPA]

My friend just posted on FB again that Easton's flight was delayed again...until 10 pm. Those poor kids!!!

 

[MichelleVW]

I just saw a story on Good Morning America about a Pennsylvania band making it to California. Was this the band in the OP?

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I don't know if the OP referenced the Downingtown High School marching band, but here is a link:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7869334

The Downingtown East High School band arrived in Los Angeles last night. Continental Airlines created a new flight for that band.

 

[Tuffcookie]

So glad they made it!

TC

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I don't know if the OP referenced the Downingtown High School marching band, but here is a link:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7869334

The Downingtown East High School band arrived in Los Angeles last night. Continental Airlines created a new flight for that band.

In before someone says, "What makes them more special than other passengers still stranded?"

 

[undertheradar]

This story was on the local news here in SoCal last night. Glad they were able to make it here!

 

[Handbag Lady]

This story was on the local news here in SoCal last night. Glad they were able to make it here!

It was just on again at our 11 pm news. Glad to hear they made it!

Cbsla.com is their website.

 

[golfgal]

In before someone says, "What makes them more special than other passengers still stranded?"

That they could fill up a plane and other stranded passengers could not .