I would like to swim the 100 Free and the 50 Back at Nationals and both are on Sunday. However, my family wants to try scheduling the flight back to Chicago for Sunday at 10pm leaving from LA. At past Summer Nationals meets, about how late has the meet run each day? Swimming those two events on Sunday, would I be likely to still make it to my flight at 10pm after considering the drive to LA and the whole process for checking in for your flight?My recommendation is to enter the events. The National committee does a great job of publishing the estimated timeline ahead of the meet, so you'll have a good idea (after you've entered) what events you'll actually be able to swim relative to the flights. Given that the 400 free is last, I can't see any reason you wouldn't be able to make the 10pm flight. Unless you're a hard-core-whiny-gotta-have-3-hours-between-events-sprinter, there will be GOBS of time between those two events. You'll need to re-apply sunblock at least once.
My other recommendation: is there any option for you to fly out of John Wayne (SNA) airport? It is a much more sane airport and a short drive with relatively little risk of traffic from Mission Viejo. Plus, LAX -- unless you're flying internationally -- is about the worst airport in the country. I avoid it at all costs.
I would like to swim the 100 Free and the 50 Back at Nationals and both are on Sunday. However, my family wants to try scheduling the flight back to Chicago for Sunday at 10pm leaving from LA. At past Summer Nationals meets, about how late has the meet run each day? Swimming those two events on Sunday, would I be likely to still make it to my flight at 10pm after considering the drive to LA and the whole process for checking in for your flight?My recommendation is to enter the events. The National committee does a great job of publishing the estimated timeline ahead of the meet, so you'll have a good idea (after you've entered) what events you'll actually be able to swim relative to the flights. Given that the 400 free is last, I can't see any reason you wouldn't be able to make the 10pm flight. Unless you're a hard-core-whiny-gotta-have-3-hours-between-events-sprinter, there will be GOBS of time between those two events. You'll need to re-apply sunblock at least once.
My other recommendation: is there any option for you to fly out of John Wayne (SNA) airport? It is a much more sane airport and a short drive with relatively little risk of traffic from Mission Viejo. Plus, LAX -- unless you're flying internationally -- is about the worst airport in the country. I avoid it at all costs.
