Instructions

Click through the tabs below to review our travel policies and procedures.

Course Dates

For course dates, see the Training Portal Residence Schedule.

Note: If you have already been nominated and accepted to attend a course, you’ll receive travel guidance a few weeks before the course start date.

Report to class on the first day at the time indicated on your welcome letter.

On the last day, class does not end until the time listed on your welcome letter.

Travel Days

For CONUS travelers, typical travel days are the day preceding the first day of class and the day after the last day of class.

OCONUS travelers should consult with your supervisor and travel coordinator for any amendments to travel dates.

Airport Information

Any flights scheduled on the last day of class should not depart MCI within 2 hours of the end time. You will not be excused early to make a flight.

The Homewood Suites has a shuttle that will pick you up from the airport when you arrive. Call them at 816-880-9880 or find the contact information on the hotel information board by baggage claim. They will also take you to the airport for your return trip.

For more information about the Kansas City Airport, see their website.

Hotel Reservations

The NWSTC will make your hotel arrangements at the Homewood Suites Kansas City Airport – you do not need to include hotel costs on the Travel Authorization (TA) in E2. Please fill out the travel questionnaire by the deadline listed in your welcome letter to ensure your hotel reservation is correct.

IMPORTANT: Without a completed form, there will be NO reservation made by NWSTC at Homewood Suites for you.

Note: You will not receive a confirmation email for your hotel reservation because of the process used to reserve rooms. As long as you fill out the form, a room will be ready for you upon arrival.

If you plan on bringing anyone with you, please note it in the form so the NWSTC can alert the hotel.

Checkout is now 11:00 a.m. Please have your belongings out of the room or we will be charged another night.

Please stop by the hotel front desk upon your arrival to pick up your NOAA Welcome Packet with grocery shopping list and discounts.

Rental Vehicles

The Homewood Suites is within walking distance of the Training Center and provides a shuttle to/from the airport as well as to restaurants and stores in the immediate vicinity.

Therefore, participants are not authorized rental cars or other transportation service fees (Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc.) while in Kansas City.

The only exception is if your flight arrives between the hours of 11:00 pm and 4:00 am, as the airport shuttle does not run during that time. In this instance, you may use a transportation service (Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc.) to get to the Homewood Suites. Upon arrival at the Homewood Suites, present your receipt to the front desk and they will reimburse you for the cost. Also let Kristine Berry know.

Local Transportation

The Homewood Suites Kansas City Airport is located roughly 500 yards south of the NWS Training Center, and there is a walking path between the two buildings.

For those coming from the hotel: Use the walking path running from the NE corner of the Homewood Suites parking lot to reach the Training Center. The Homewood shuttle may be available for transportation to the building as needed. Please coordinate with the hotel front desk.

For those driving: Park in the visitor section (yellow lines). Alert the guard at the entrance that you are parking your vehicle.

Building Security

Check-in at the security desk may take a few minutes. So please arrive in plenty of time to ensure you make it to class by the start time.

Attendees are required to wear their ID Badges at the Training Center at all times. Please bring a method to display your ID (example: lanyard, badge reel).

If you have not been issued a CAC, please bring a valid for of ID that complies with the REAL ID Act on the first day to receive a visitor's badge.

Food Options

Here is a list of area restaurants that will deliver to the Homewood Suites. Deliveries should go to the hotel lobby NOT the Training Center as our front desk and security setup cannot accommodate deliveries. There are also a few restaurants within a half-mile of the Training Center and Homewood Suites.

Note: Some courses may offer group ordering options and in-class snacks/beverages. This information will be provided by your course instructor if applicable.

There are vending machines in the building breakroom with bottled soda/water and snacks. They take cash, credit card, and some digital wallet methods. Refrigerators and microwaves are available if you'd like to bring lunch. The building also has an ice machine and water bottle fillers.

Dress and Weather

Dress for the course will be business casual unless the course instructor notes otherwise. Check the forecast as you get closer to class dates.

Note: Classrooms are kept fairly cool, so no matter what you may want to bring long sleeves or a sweater/jacket to wear during the course.

Each course will take a class photo. Please avoid wearing solid white shirts (this causes lighting issues) and shirts with large, non-NWS logos or images. Your course instructor can provide you with the class picture date.

Wellness Room

The NWSTC has a Wellness/Lactation Room available to course participants.

For more information or to schedule your use of the room, please reach out to Katrina Combs by phone at 816-490-7459 or by email at Katrina.Combs@noaa.gov.

Canceling a Trip

If you need to cancel a trip prior to attending class, let Kristine.Berry@noaa.gov know as soon as possible.

NOAA Employees: You need to amend the travel authorization (TA) to remove the expenses to zero and re-approve. Please follow these steps in E2.

Non-NOAA: Work with your travel coordinator to complete necessary steps.