It's all about the journey...to the Rose Bowl
December 28, 2010
Jennifer Miller
608-661-6442
Airport
(Madison, WI) The Dane County Regional Airport is awash in Badger red as we welcome over 5,600 football fans heading to Pasadena, California to watch the U.W. Badgers Football team take on TCU in the Rose Bowl.
“The Dane County Regional Airport is happy to help thousands of Badger backers get to the Rose Bowl to enjoy some great football and warmer weather,” Acting County Executive Scott McDonell said. “Our airport staff has taken great care to make sure everyone’s travel experience goes as smoothly as possible. Today, the first flights of red and white are leaving our first-class airport and all we ask is that they come back with a win for Bucky!”
Though this isn’t the first bowl appearance the Badger Football team has made in the last decade, this is the team’s first Rose Bowl appearance since the 1999/2000 season, and airport officials anticipated that there would be a lot of fans wanting to head to Pasadena to take in the excitement.
“We’ve been preparing for these charters since it was announced where the Badgers were headed in post season,” said Bradley Livingston, director of the Dane County Regional Airport. “We feel confident that the fans will have a relaxing, enjoyable experience throughout their journey to and from Southern California.”
Because the Rose Bowl charters coincide with the typically busy holiday travel season at the airport, we have some tips to help keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Parking: The Dane County Regional Airport strongly urges both holiday and Rose Bowl travelers to use alternate transportation, like Madison Metro, a taxi, or to grab a ride with a family member or friend to the airport. Those passengers taking charter flights to the Rose Bowl should check with their travel agent about specific parking arrangements.
Shuttles: The Dane County Regional Airport will be operating a shuttle service from December 29-January 3.
Get to the airport early: Rose Bowl-bound passengers are strongly encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight is scheduled to take off. This will allow for plenty of time to check in baggage, get through security screening, and relax before their flight departs.
Weather: We can schedule and plan for everything except the weather. Therefore, it’s always best to check with your airline before you head to the airport to make sure weather hasn’t caused a flight delay or cancellation.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is heading up the largest group of charter flights to the Rose Bowl, with its first charter scheduled to take off at 1PM on Tuesday, December 28.
“WAA is delighted to partner with the UW Athletic Department to bring alumni and fans to Pasadena and cheer the Badgers in the 2011 Rose Bowl. We have 3500 travelers on the official bowl tour with most departing from the Dane County Regional Airport, ” said David Florin, 1st Chair of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and President and Partner of Hiebing Group. “While in Pasadena we will also host thousands more from around the country and alumni and fans from as far away as Europe and Asia. I can’t think of a better way to ring in 2011 and to kick-off the 150th Anniversary celebration of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.”
Return flights from Southern California will begin arriving at the Dane County Regional Airport early on Sunday, January 2. The last return flight is scheduled to return Monday, January 3 at 3PM.
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