Planes, trains and automobiles

Commuting tips from a OneMBA student who’s tried it all

OneMBA’s once-a-month schedule was a huge selling point for me because of my work demands. The class schedule and OneMBA’s four global residencies were big factors in choosing UNC over other top schools like Michigan, Duke, and NYU. But I also had to consider the time and expense of the commute, especially since I have a family and would be paying travel costs out of my pocket.

Most OneMBA classes are held at Lansdowne Conference Center and Resort near Washington, DC. I tried driving, but heavy Sunday traffic after weekend classes turned a 4-hour trip into 6 or more hours. I also considered taking the train, but the cost was more than flying! A direct flight from Newark to Dulles takes about an hour and typically costs about $120 round trip ($200 during summer months). I decided flying was the best means of transportation for me.

Class starts at 9:30, so I can easily fly to Lansdowne on Friday mornings. Here’s my typical schedule:
- 4:00 Wake up
- 5:00 Leave for the airport
- 6:00 Arrive at the airport
- 6:50 Depart from Newark NJ (EWR)
- 8:30 Arrive at Washington/Dulles (IAD) and catch a cab
- 9:00 Arrive at Lansdowne and grab breakfast before class
- 9:30 Class starts

Winter weather can cause problems, of course. I arrived an hour late for class a couple of times due to flight delays caused by high winds and flurries. But the professor and staff understood, and I caught up on what I missed. On Sundays, we get out of class by 3:00, leaving plenty of time to get to the airport for a 5:00 flight. When all goes well, I’m home by 7:30.

For Chapel Hill weekends, I take a direct flight to RDU. I have customers in the Carolinas, so I usually try to piggyback UNC weekends with a business trip. I could fly Friday mornings, but the timing is a little tight, so I usually travel Thursday evening and get some extra school work done.

In July, several of us brought our families to Lansdowne for a special family weekend. Our spouses and kids thoroughly enjoyed the pool and resort amenities while we were in class. I only wish the students had more time to enjoy these great facilities.