Airline Travel FAQs

1. Do all crew members, both youth and adult, need a photo ID for air travel?

2. What kinds of photo ID are acceptable?

3. What airlines will be used and what is the schedule?

4. Will the airlines serve a meal?

5. What are the airline rules with respect to baggage?

6. What are the rules for carry-on baggage?

7. What items should I place in my carry-on baggage?

8. How are backpacks prepared to be handled as checked luggage on the airplane?

9. Since stoves are not allowed on the plane in either checked or carry-on baggage, how does a crew get them to Philmont?

10. Can 'Frequent Flyer' miles be earned for the flights to Colorado?

 

1. Do all crew members, both youth and adult, need a photo ID for air travel?

Each crew member age of 18 or older MUST have identification with a photo issued by a government agency to minimize delays at airport security checkpoints.  crew members age 17 and younger SHOULD have some form of photo identification.

 

2. What kinds of photo ID are acceptable?

The most commonly used government agency issued photo IDs are state driver’s licenses and United States passports.  School photo IDs are acceptable for crew members age 17 and younger, as are photo ID cards issued by local police departments. Also consider contacting your local County Clerk regarding identification cards for youths.

 

3. What airlines will be used and what is the schedule?

Travel arrangements, including airlines and the schedule, will be finalized and announced at the June Advisor Briefing.

 

4. Will the airlines serve a meal?

Meal services will vary from flight to flight, but at best will be light, and may only be available at extra cost.  Crews should plan on supplementing any airline food with snacks brought from home.  Crews will eat lunch after arrival in Colorado.

 

5. What are the airline rules with respect to baggage?

Airline policies regarding baggage are changing rapidly. Further information will be provided at the June Advisor Briefing.

 

6. What are the rules for carry-on baggage?

Since 9/11, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is responsible for items permitted or forbidden in aircraft carry-on luggage. We suggest you review the TSA Web site for the latest information. Additional travel tips will be provided in June.

 

7. What items should I place in my carry-on baggage?

In June, each crew will receive a list of items they should pack for the trip to Philmont.

 

8. How are backpacks prepared to be handled as checked luggage on the airplane?

The recommended procedure is for the crew to use the large nylon bags that we provide as part of your Philmont fees. When closed, a "goose neck" should be formed and the drawstring should be wrapped around it, leaving about 3 to 6 inches hanging free for attaching the airline baggage tag - see photo.

 

Click photo to enlarge.

 

Crews should attach identification tags we provide for their backpacks. On the tag, carefully print:

          Name

          complete Expedition (Crew) Number (for example, 630D4)

          Philmont Scout Ranch

          47 Caballo Road

          Cimarron, NM 87714

          (Phone: 575-376-2281, note-new area code)

This is so that should the backpack become lost, the airline will deliver the pack to Philmont. We also strongly recommend attaching an identification tag of your making directly to the frame of the backpack, inside the bag.

 

For the return home, use your home address and home phone number on the identification tags.  Plan ahead to have extra nametags, magic markers, and duct tape available for the return trip.  Participants with duffel bags are welcome to use their own instead of the nylon bags but should use the recommended identification process.

 

9. Since stoves are not allowed on the plane in either checked or carry-on baggage, how does a crew get them to Philmont?

Stoves, fuel bottles and funnel should be sent via U.S. Mail or UPS to Philmont, addressed as follows:

          Name

          complete Expedition Number (for example, 711F2)

          Philmont Scout Ranch (Phone: 575-376-2281, note-new area code)

          47 Caballo Road

          Cimarron, NM 87714.

Ship no later than two weeks before the crew’s scheduled arrival.  The shipping method should include the service to track progress and assure the package has arrived at Philmont.  The sides of box should be color-coded with tape or magic marker for easy identification in the Philmont Post Office.  Extra packing tape, duct tape, nametags, and postal labels should be put in the box for use to ship the stoves home.  While on the trek, the shipping box is stored in the locker provided by Philmont, and after return to Base Camp at the end of the trek the box is re-addressed for shipping the stoves home.  This very important process will be covered in detail at the June Advisor Briefing.

 

10. Can 'Frequent Flyer' miles be earned for the flights to Colorado?

Yes, if you are eligible for 'Frequent Flyer' mile credits from the particular air carrier you are flying, give your account number to the ticket agent when checking in.