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The partial U.S. government shutdown has made air travel incredibly difficult over the past few weeks as many airports are facing major staffing shortages. The timing centers around spring break, when many go on trips\u2014and also when the NCAA Basketball Championships take place.<\/p>\n
It takes a massive effort to coordinate travel plans for 68 men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball teams, over the course of just a few days in between the Selection Show on Sunday night and the first games, whether they are on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.<\/p>\n
Add on the compounding travel issues of staff shortages, charter plane shortages, and now, the price of jet fuel rising significantly in the wake of the military operations in Iran, and it becomes even harder.<\/p>\n
On February 24, the NCAA sent a memo<\/a> to its institutions outlining its changing travel guidelines due to these problems.<\/p>\n \u201cExtreme flexibility will be required this championship season,\u201d it said. \u201cParticipating schools should expect 100% screening, catering for flights over three hours, and assigned departure date and times based on game date and aircraft efficiency, for the first week of the tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n It went on to say that unlike in previous years, schools would not be able to submit date or time preferences for flights to First Four and First and Second round sites.<\/p>\n \u201cNew this year, departure date and time will be determined by carrier availability,\u201d the memo read. \u201cTeams eligible to fly will be scheduled to travel two days before the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout the season, teams book travel on their own, and many mid-major programs even take commercial flights. But for the NCAA Tournament, teams book travel through the NCAA\u2019s travel service. For teams located more than 400 miles from their first weekend site, the NCAA covers the cost of a charter flight. For others, the NCAA offers a ground transportation reimbursement, or the team can book and pay for its own flight.<\/p>\n \u201cThe NCAA partners with large and small charter aircraft providers to create a dedicated fleet that meets the NCAA requirements for safety and operations,\u201d the NCAA’s memo said. \u201cCharter availability may be limited due to Federal Aviation Administration, crew regulations, current staffing constraints (pilots, crew, ground handlers and screeners), weather, supply and demand. These challenges likely will impact team flight preferences, requiring teams to depart earlier or later than preferred.\u201d<\/p>\n The NCAA Selection Committee didn\u2019t change its selection process and bracketing principles to cater to the travel chaos, according to committee chair Keith Gill<\/a> last week.<\/p>\nHoping for a smooth flight<\/h2>\n