[kfoley311]

Huh? Why this topic?

If you live in or near a major sporting arena, in a city with a major sports presence or are sending your boss overseas during World Cup... it benefits you to pay attention to what major sporting events are happening.

For example, I have to travel in and out of Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International Airport for Columbus Day weekend. Not really a major US Holiday.

But, on Sunday..the Washington Redskins are playing at home. The catch? They aren't located in Washington DC! They are located midway between Baltimore and Washington. They are playing at 1pm. So, if I land at BWI anytime between 11am and 6pm.. odds are traffic will stink and add an additional 25 minutes to my commute home from the airport.

Sounds silly? It is.. unless, of course, you've ever experienced the Capitol Beltway in the DC Metropolitan area. One wreck = major delay.

so..my plan?

Instead of driving from BWI -down to DC and into Virginia? I'll take the Amtrak from BWI to Alexandria. Definitely save time and just maybe..my sanity.

My suggestion is check the cities of departure and arrival for major sporting (and other events). There could be a strain on availability for cabs, rental cars or other issues you may not have considered.

Just a plan ahead trick I use.. and thought I would share.

[Robert Ball]

Great points Kemetia! I've missed planes because of home games that I had not planned on. On the flip side, some of the best business trips I ever made included a visit to a stadium or arena I had only seen on TV, and the folks I was visiting preferred going to a game over "yet another business dinner".