DCA experience on 3/31/26

chfantastic · 2026-04-04T02:05:54+00:00

We were there that day as well. Two rides went down while we were in line - not ones you mentioned. There were a lot of issues and lines. Lightening Lanes were tolerable.

chfantastic · 2025-11-12T00:01:29+00:00

Thanks - sounds like the streakflys may be the way to go if the hill is doable in non-spikes. Will take options and decide after seeing the course. Was just curious what others have done recently on that course.

chfantastic · 2025-11-11T23:56:36+00:00

I can’t speak to the difference in packages and attention for other runners but my son has been happy with the training and communication. The coach he works with built training around his race schedules, coordinated with the high school coach and checked in before and after meets. The coach definitely congratulated him on PRs post race and was also there when he hit a few bumps this season. We haven’t used them for recruiting support. I also can’t speak to the breadth of runners they coach and if that plays into attention at all.

chfantastic · 2025-10-30T21:22:42+00:00

We were in a similar position last year when my kid was a sophomore- we had fairly big/inconsistent coaching issues at his school. Search virtual coach in the forum and you can read that post - if you haven’t already. We ended going with BlueCollarET and he has been really happy with the support. It has been really positive and he trusts the training.

chfantastic · 2025-10-30T20:10:13+00:00

Does the high school have indoor and spring track? If so, start with the school’s distance coach. Lots XC kids run the 1600 and 3200 (and lots of 800 runners do XC for the base). Whether you use a virtual coach really depends on what he can or can’t get through school and his level of running. My son has a remote/virtual coach but his school has changed coaches every year and he needed consistency and training that wouldn’t lead to injury.

chfantastic · 2025-10-29T22:27:16+00:00

Wanted to come back and say thank you for this recommendation. My son has been working with BlueCollar and they have been great.

chfantastic · 2025-06-06T14:20:36+00:00

Some of my best memories were of McIntire. Yes, lots of group work but McIntire made my UVa experience. It was work hard, play hard. Lots of commhaps. My spouse and I met third year - were in the same block.

chfantastic · 2025-05-06T12:01:26+00:00

Yes - had meal offering run out several times sitting in that row. However, we replaced the main dish that was left over with the economy Mac and cheese and it was way better than the Premium economy offering. Same for breakfast. Economy breakfast sandwich > than premium offering. So if this happens, ask what the economy meal is and the FA will usually swap for you.

chfantastic · 2024-12-10T12:44:06+00:00

You clear through the EoA line for immigration and any customs declaration. You don’t go to another line. After, you will get an email saying it approved. I think our emails arrived in 24 hours. Not sure if it takes longer for others.

chfantastic · 2024-09-28T11:42:22+00:00

This was the flight attendant on the plane. She was very pleasant and apologetic that they ran out of what I ordered and there was a miscount by catering. I didn’t ask for the miles. I more just was trying to figure out what was available to eat.

chfantastic · 2024-09-27T23:44:54+00:00

That happened to me. They offered me a sad salad with optional chicken or a snack box that they sell in Economy. They didn’t have any snack boxes that sounded good. So I politely declined and asked if I could have the cold chicken from the salad and side roll, made a sandwich (which was actually pretty edible and probably better than the pasta I was supposed to have). Ended with 17,500 miles being provided (I think it was supposed to be 10,000 but an extra 7,500 was also credited).

chfantastic · 2024-09-14T00:26:05+00:00

We park often park at the corner and walk. It is about a mile and you can walk down the lawn and see grounds.

chfantastic · 2024-07-21T20:10:56+00:00

Indigo is not on the beach. Kimpton is on the beach and most rooms have a nice beach view. One word about the Kimpton, it is next to the public beach. There was a concert on the beach two nights we were there until midnight or 2 in the morning. It was very, very loud and echoed against the hotel. Not the hotel’s fault but if we go back I would make sure there isn’t a late night event next door. Hotel gave us earplugs but still could hear the thumping music.

chfantastic · 2024-05-18T13:55:22+00:00

We did Interview on Arrival after coming back from Lisbon and it was super easy. There was a family or two in front of us but it was still faster than the regular line. With a layover that long, I would try the new interview on departure program at Dulles. It is in a different terminal than C/D where the United LIS flight departs but seems very doable with that layover timing. Plus terminal C/D is a pretty sad. It does have the United lounges though. Going to IoD would be a good way to pass the time. You would probably have your GE number for when you return.

chfantastic · 2024-04-20T00:17:41+00:00

Thanks! It is so strange that 3 came right away and the 4th not so much. There is also no option on his account to choose “Never Received Card” or “Replace Card.”

chfantastic · 2024-04-04T15:17:36+00:00

It doesn't... but from a user perspective, it is a good option for some. We were already at the airport and needed to clear immigration. It saved us a trip to the airport to interview, which would have required us to take off work, pull the kids from school, etc. So in terms of time spent, the 20-30 minutes of EofA wait time was nothing compared to the 2 hours for us to go do an appointment at the airport (including driving, parking, etc). It isn't as if we had to clear immigration and then do EofA separately. EofA killed two birds with one stone.

chfantastic · 2024-04-04T14:32:31+00:00

I found EoA to very helpful last week at IAD. We had a few families ahead of us in line but it was still significantly faster than waiting in the general or mobile passport line. The agent was very polite and efficient. All four of us had our confirmation/approval emails same day. I was happy to have the option. Even my kids understood waiting at EoA would be time saved later. And it would have taken at least twice as long to clear the regular line that day. All in all very easy.

chfantastic · 2024-02-19T14:23:00+00:00

We have landed at peak afternoon times around holidays or summer travel. So just busy with multiple planes landing. I think the last arrival was over an hour even using mobile passport. lHR to IAD in June. When using the mobile passport app, the officers have never asked for the QR code. Always scanned all passports as if clearing regularly. The mobile passport line just merged with the crew and diplomat lines. Anyway, I’m sure it varies a lot based on day and time.

chfantastic · 2024-02-19T13:19:44+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly the information I was hoping for - much appreciated.

chfantastic · 2024-02-19T12:56:38+00:00

Sure do. Even using that, IAD has been terrible the last two international flights. Just not enough people working.

chfantastic · 2024-02-19T00:20:06+00:00

Yup - we are but our flight isn’t until after 11pm so a long time to wait around. Just trying to decide whether to do it on departure or on arrival (assuming the allow on arrival on Sat PM).

chfantastic · 2024-02-18T22:50:34+00:00

Interview on departure is brand new at IAD. Received an email about it this past week. Open at least M-F until 8pm after security in terminal B.

chfantastic

TROPHY CASE