Airline Travel FAQ

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

Each crew member age 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 shortly after arrival in Colorado.

5. 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.

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

Click for a complete list of items to be packed in your Watchu Expedition Tour (Carry-on) Bag.

7. What are the airline rules with respect to checked baggage?

The fee for one regular checked bag, less than 50 pounds and less than 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height), is included in your Watchu fee. Since 9/11, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is responsible for items permitted or forbidden in aircraft checked luggage. We suggest you review the TSA Web site for the latest information. Of particular note, stoves and fuel bottles are not allowed. Further information will be provided at the June Advisor Briefing.

8. How is the fee for checked bags paid handled?

The fee for one regular checked bag, less than 50 pounds and less than 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height), is included in the Watchu fee. This fee must be paid by credit card when checking in at the airport (NOT on-line). Patriots' Path Council will issue a single check reimbursing the check-in baggage fees for the entire crew after the crew returns and submits a voucher with receipts. An advisor with an upgraded Frequent Flyer status or some other baggage fee arrangement may be able to have checked bags checked at a reduced rate or free. Any such savings will be for the benefit of future Philmont participants and is strongly encouraged.

9. 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

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.

10. 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 (CREW) NUMBER (for example, 711F2)

Philmont Scout Ranch (Phone: 575-376-2281)

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.

11. Can frequent flyer miles be earned for the flights to Colorado?

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