Pro and college sports teams - how do they travel to games?
#31
Join Date: Sep 2000
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The Washington Wizards of the NBA and Washington Capitals of the NHL share a customized 737. If you should ever run across it at an airport, it has a Wizards logo on one side of the vertical tail and a Capitals logo on the other.
#32
Company Representative - Starwood
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We flew to SAN at Christmas in 2001, and the University of Texas football team was on our flight, or a sizable () portion thereof. Given the short time since Sept 11, being on a plane with a bunch of very large, fit, young men was kind of reassuring. Nobody was going to take over that flight!
It was a regular AA mad dog.
It was a regular AA mad dog.
Doesn't always turn out the way they like, however. For this year's UCF game, the chartered bus broke down on the way to the airport, the chartered flight itself was a mechanical delay, and the chartered bus on the other end broke down as well. Mack said it was like being with the Griswolds on a National Lampoon vacation movie.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
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#33
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: TPA
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Some players also fly their own private jets (or shared ownership jets) along with their families to and from games. This is often negotiated as part of their contracts.
#34
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I saw an earlier post about the Raptors having an A300...I didn't know they switched. They used to have a custom-painted 757. Saw it taxiing into EWR one morning.
#36
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LAX
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that is true. during the U.S. Open, they did a story about how Roger Federer offered to take Rafael Nadal (who was scheduled to fly commercial) to a tournament in his private jet. Nadal took him up on his offer.
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
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The answer really is it depends. A few years ago I was traveling out of Vermont around the time of the NIT. I was in the middle seat between a power forward and center for the UVM men's basketball team. They were flying through Denver on their way to the tourney. I felt very bad for them as I knew there was a storm coming to Denver. They were stuck there all night and ended up getting a bus to CO Springs the next day and flew out of there. They played in the tourney with little to no sleep and really didn't have a chance in their game. Large schools might charter a plane, but not every school has deep pockets.
In terms of the pros, they charter planes. Generally, the seats up front are for coaches and senior players. If you're a rookie, much like regular flying, expect to sit in the back.
In terms of the pros, they charter planes. Generally, the seats up front are for coaches and senior players. If you're a rookie, much like regular flying, expect to sit in the back.
#38
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Mike..you might be right...
...I was just commenting from memory...I may be incorrect. You are right the plane is custom painted so its probably the same one.
#40
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I remember hearing a few years ago about the various private jets owned by the Dolan family, they of Madison Square Garden. The only reason the planes made the news was the poor performance of the Rangers. Supposedly Mr. Dolan himself at one point said that until the Rangers start winning consistently again, they are to be scheduled on the plane more in need of renovation. Being a Devils fan, when I read the article I gave it the Larry the Cable Guy seal of approval: "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there."
#44
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA, United
Posts: 280
Gonzaga
I actually flew with the Gonzaga basketball team from Portland to Spokane a couple of years ago. This was on a regional AE flight (1 and 2 seat config with props). I was in the exit row and got on early, look up and there were all of these giant kids coming on. I noticed Adam Morrison, (and my seatmate pointed him out to me). They got on last and all the kids were plugged into their ipods in the back. Watching these very tall kids try to keep from bumping their heads in this small plane was somewhat comical, but they were all very very polite and nice to everyone. When morrison blew out his knee early this year it made me remember that flight.
San Jose State has their own plane that they fly everywhere, it is parked at SJC and you can see it when you taxi out. I think that San Jose State also has some sort of aircraft related program that they use the plane for.
San Jose State has their own plane that they fly everywhere, it is parked at SJC and you can see it when you taxi out. I think that San Jose State also has some sort of aircraft related program that they use the plane for.