The Wildcats typically need only about 40-45 minutes to meet, change and conduct postgame interviews after playing in Pullman. Then they head to Lewiston, Idaho, the closest airport that can handle the Wildcatsβ 100-plus-seat charter jet. Last season, a nighttime snowstorm delayed the drive slightly, but weather was no issue for the teamβs ensuing flight to Seattle.
βWhen youβre in a climate like that the airports are ready for it,β Reynolds said. βAs fast as we can leave after the game, we leave. Itβs probably 45 minutes to an hour drive and as soon as you get to the airport, as long as they let us help with the bags, itβs only a 25-minute process to get through security and get everyone loaded on the plane.β
On this trip, with Thursdayβs game starting at 6 p.m. local time, the Wildcats can figure on wheels up in Lewiston around 10:15 p.m. From there, itβs less than an hour to Seattleβs Boeing Field, just 10 minutes south of the Wildcatsβ hotel.
βI would expect to be in our hotel in Seattle before midnight,β Reynolds said.
That gives them the most possible time to turn around for their next game, at 5 p.m. local time on Saturday at Washington.
Every minute is precious, but the Wildcats will have managed to save as many of them as possible. And probably sleep pretty well in the process. Especially in Spokane.
