Early Coordination Email To Sir Phil

This is me getting ready for the cross-country trip to California and the 2006 Wild Wild West Marathon.

I just thought I'd let you all into my mind and how it works when I get to planning. Notice the alternative planning, the crazy math skills, and the anal retentive detailing. This is what Sir Phil must deal with every year.

(here is how it finally turned out)

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Sticking with the schedule from last year:

Wednesday May 3: Fly from BWI to Vegas

Thursday May 4: Vegas, Baby

Friday May 5: Drive to Lone Pine

Saturday May 6: Run/Drive back to Vegas

Sunday May 7: Fly back to BWI

We can get an “Internet Fare” on the way out but to get back, we have to go two steps over to the more expensive “Fun Fare” (which I would challenge). The total cost would be $313 each.

If we bump our return date to Monday, then we can get the “Internet Fare” both ways for a cost of $235.20.

That’s a savings of $77.80 each but we would also have to consider an extra night in a hotel and an extra day of parking. We could return the rental car on Saturday night so it wouldn’t cost extra there but then walking around Vegas the day after a marathon might not be all that fun. At least for me.

Now, let’s look at Ontario:

I found two non-stop “Internet Fares” for $269.70 each.

But if we are flying into Ontario, we don’t need the extra day so it would look something like this:

Thursday May 4: Fly from BWI to Ontario

Friday May 5: Drive to Lone Pine

Saturday May 6: Run/Drive back to Ontario

Sunday May 7: Fly back to BWI

Even with the best fares, it comes out to $315.70. Looks like the better deal is to stay the extra day.

I will continue to see if I can find better fares. Any suggestions?

Jason D. Grose
Captain
United States Marine Corps