The information below explains how to make and submit your travel arrangements for Outward Bound.
ONLY MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AFTER:
- You have been cleared to participate AND
- You are notified that your course has been confirmed as “GO.” In order for a course to be confirmed as “GO,” we must achieve a minimum number of firm enrollments. Firm = applicants who are fully paid and cleared to participate.
We typically need 6 firm enrollments in order to confirm the course as “GO.” If you purchase airline tickets before notified to do so, make sure you either purchase refundable/transferable tickets OR purchase trip insurance covering the cost of airfare in the event your course is canceled or if you are not cleared to participate. North Carolina Outward Bound is not responsible for refunding the cost of airline tickets, clothing and gear, etc.
TRAVEL DELAYS
If you are delayed while traveling, call us immediately at 800-878-5258. We work diligently to accommodate unforeseen travel delays. However, in certain cases of extreme delays, it may not be possible for you to join the course.
CELL PHONES
Traveling to and from course with a cell phone and charger is encouraged. Upon arrival and check in with our staff at the airport, we will remind participants to call their families immediately, as cell phones are not permitted once the course has officially begun. At that point, all cell phones will be turned off and stored in personal luggage until course end.
BE PREPARED
Be dressed in items from the clothing list, make all necessary calls and have eaten prior to departure from the airport.
Review current government regulations regarding carry-on items at www.tsa.gov. Many airlines charge for each checked bag. Check your airline’s baggage policy and pay any fees for you or your child’s inbound and outbound flights.
***Please arrive to the airport having eaten lunch. For students arriving on flights, please review your vendor options before meeting Outward Bound.***
All participants are required to follow our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
This is our only pick-up location/time. We are unable to accommodate pick ups outside of the info outlined below.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
- Airline Arrival 2:00 PM: Book your inbound flight to arrive no later than 2:00 PM on the first day of the course. Do not book arrival after 2:00 PM as we are unable to accommodate arrivals after this time. Itineraries booked outside of these times will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.
- Vehicle Arrival 1:00 PM: If you are arriving by car, arrive no later than 1:00 PM on the first day of the course. Enter the airport through door “0” (zero) which will lead you directly to the main seating area. Numbers are noted above the doors and door “0” is located towards the middle of the building.
**Based on limited non-stop flight availability to/from AVL and our arrival criteria above, please expect your itinerary to include a connecting flight.**
An Outward Bound representative will meet ALL arrivals in the main seating area in front of the security checkpoint; labeled as the “Grand Hall” on the map below.
North Carolina Outward Bound strongly suggests that you wear a mask while on planes and in other crowded, confined spaces during your travel.
Staff will be wearing an Outward Bound shirt or hat and/or carrying an Outward Bound sign. They will have a list of all student names and will note your arrival.
Our supervision officially begins when students depart the airport by NCOBS vehicle or charter transportation.
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Asheville Regional Airport main seating area in the Grand Hall – Outward Bound check-in location
YOUR COURSE WILL END AT THIS LOCATION WHETHER YOU ARE DEPARTING BY PLANE OR CAR.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
- Airline Departure 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Book your child’s departure between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM on the last day of the course. Itineraries booked outside of these times will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.
- Vehicle Departure 11:45 AM: All students departing by vehicles will be outside of door “0” (zero). Numbers are noted above the doors and door “0” is located towards the middle of the building. Students will be supervised by an Outward Bound representative wearing an Outward Bound shirt or hat with an Outward Bound logo. Our representative will require a signature from you when you pick up your child.
***Based on limited non-stop flight availability to/from AVL and our arrival criteria above, please expect your itinerary to include a connecting flight.***
This is our only drop-off location.
Airlines define an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) as a child flying without a parent, guardian or another trusted adult. Your airline may designate your child as an Unaccompanied Minor. The airline’s Unaccompanied Minor policy may NOT be clear to you if you purchase your child’s ticket through an online travel site. If applicable, confirm the airline you choose allows Unaccompanied Minors to board connecting flights.
Plan carefully to avoid your child being stranded at a connecting airport!
Airlines are extremely strict about payment of the UM fee. The North Carolina Outward Bound School is neither responsible for paying the UM fees nor determining which individuals are required to pay the fee. Airline representatives have refused to board UMs whose families have not paid the required UM fees, causing students to miss their departing flights.
Before you book your child’s airline ticket:
Review the UM policies for each airline before choosing an itinerary – each airline has their own policy and age requirements:
Allegiant Airlines / American Airlines / Delta Airlines / United Airlines
- Prepay all UM fees. Online travel sites may not inform you of the airline’s UM policy or fees. Contact the airline directly and prepay all UM fees. (Be firm and insist if the need arises.)
- Give your airline the name and contact information of your Student Services Representative (refer to your Registration Email) as the person who will meet and sign for your child on course start day.
- Do not book your child on a flight departing 6:00 PM or later. Many airports will not allow UMs to board flights after 6:00 PM.
- Submit receipt for payment of the UM FEES (arrival & departure) to your Student Services Representative.
Submitting Your Travel Plans
At least two weeks prior to course start, we will email a request for travel arrangements.
Be Prepared - Determine a Backup Travel Plan
Please reference our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
You MUST take a COVID-19 Antigen Test 24-Hours Prior to Course Start.
Participants will also take a COVID-19 test on course start day, administered by NCOBS Staff.
Should you need to depart Outward Bound due to a positive COVID-19 test result or other illness symptoms:
- on course start day - you must adjust your travel plans that day
- during course - you must depart within 48 hours
YOUTH (Course Age Ranges 14-18): coordinate travel with a parent, family member or other trusted adult.
ADULT (Course age ranges 18+, 18-25, 30+): coordinate travel with a parent, family member or other trusted adult OR coordinate a hotel room and shuttle to the hotel, provided the participant meets the hotel’s age requirement for check-in.
- Clarion Inn Asheville Airport (Near the Asheville Regional Airport - AVL)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport South (Near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - FLL)
Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.
Click Here To Receive a Free Quote From InsureMyTrip
Airfare, related travel costs, and non-refundable tuition payments are expensive. Insurance to protect your trip and course is not required but strongly recommended. If you choose not to purchase insurance and cancel your course or leave your course early you will be held to the terms of the Cancellation Policy (See above).
Outward Bound offers an option for insuring these costs from the third-party provider InsureMyTrip through its Academic Explorer Program. This program has coverage options that include your travel costs and the non-refundable tuition costs. A link to that program’s insurance coverage options is above. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase trip related insurance through a different insurance provider. In either case, the amount and type of coverage you choose is your responsibility and must be discussed directly with the provider.
Emergency Evacuation Insurance
You may also want to consider insurance for the cost of Emergency Evacuation. Health insurance often does not cover the cost of emergency evacuation by air or other means and these costs can be very expensive. North Carolina Outward Bound School will not be financially responsible for these costs in the event that your student requires evacuation.
The Academic Explorer Program offered through InsureMyTrip does not offer coverage for emergency evacuation. You will need to purchase that coverage from a different insurance provider.
Outward Bound makes no representations or warranties about these insurance options or how they handle claims.
HOTELS NEAR THE ASHEVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT
Prior to booking, confirm any minimum age requirements and availability of shuttle service to/from the airport (if applicable).
If you are traveling by air, be aware of TSA guidelines. To avoid TSA taking items out of your carry-on luggage (like insect repellent and sunscreen), pack these items in your checked luggage or do not exceed size specifications. For more information please visit the TSA website: Transportation Security Administration - Carry-ons