For the University of Hawaii football team, every road trip begins with a right turn.

“We all sit in coach,” said UH coach Nick Rolovich, noting how the Rainbow Warriors turn toward the economy section when they enter an airplane scheduled to depart from Honolulu.

While opposing teams usually travel by charter — UH pays travel stipends of up to $175,000 for visiting Mountain West teams — the Warriors always criss-cross the Pacific Ocean on commercial flights.

“There are a few other things I’d whine about before a charter,” Rolovich said. “This is the reality. We try to get the players the best seats we can get them (in the economy section). But five hours is five hours. We don’t complain. We try to spend our money in the best possible way and continue to be humble.”

Rolovich added: “I’ve even seen (UH) President (David) Lassner in coach.”

Because of Hawaii’s isolation, the Warriors face travel challenges unique for Division I programs. Most programs use 18-wheelers to transport equipment.

For a road trip to play San Jose State in late September, the Warriors took a direct flight on Thursday to Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. But that airport does not offer cargo service. The Warriors sent 157 boxes containing equipment, apparel and supplies to San Francisco, where it was unloaded and taken to the hotel in San Jose. A makeshift equipment room and training facility was set set up in the conference rooms. On Saturday morning, the five-member equipment staff set up at CEFCU Stadium hours before kickoff.

The Warriors probably have the smallest travel party among Mountain West football teams: 70 players, 20 coaches and staff, a ticket manager, media relations director, five athletic trainers, two doctors, the equipment staff, a travel agent, and a strength/conditioning coach.

Jason Cvercko and Josh Omura coordinate the logistics, which includes arranging two banquet-style meals — breakfast and dinner — and an on-the-go lunch each day. On one trip, lunch was 10 chicken wings and fries; on another, it was a burger bar and chips. The pregame meal usually consists of chicken, beef, rice, plain pasta with sauce on the side, salad and fruit. Players also receive postgame snacks.

“We try to treat our players as well as we can,” Rolovich said. “They sacrifice a lot. They don’t whine.”

Each player’s check-in bag contains a helmet, cleats, uniform and practice gear. The equipment staff packs five extra jerseys in case of rips. Each day of the trip, the host school does UH’s laundry. It is an arrangement UH reciprocates to teams visiting Hawaii.

“These equipment staffs across the country, it’s kind of like an underground gang,” Rolovich said. “It’s kind of like they have the same tattoo or something. They know that you come to their place, they’ll take care of you. They come (to Hawaii), I know (head equipment manager) Al (Ginoza) and his staff will take care of them. You have to make it work.”

And when facilities are not available because of scheduling conflicts, the equipment staff will wash uniforms at a laundromat. Got quarters?

Rolovich said players, coaches and staff assist the equipment workers, especially with bags at airports and after games.

“When you go through multiple airports, sometimes the baggage is coming out on baggage claim,” Rolovich said. “Plus the equipment. That’s a lot of work for our equipment people. I know (head trainer) Eric (Okasaki) helps out, trainers help out.”

Rolovich said the players are quick to help.

“Especially with the local kids,” Rolovich said. “They don’t hesitate when we ask them. Or a lot of times, you don’t even have to ask them. They see people picking up an inordinate amount of bags, they start helping. I think it’s one of the small things that inject the aloha spirit into our mainland players.”

UH trips involve coaches sharing hotel rooms and players enduring long bus rides. It took more than three hours for the postgame drive from Fresno to San Jose.

“There are a lot of people who do a lot of work for our travel, and our guys see that,” Rolovich said. “They are appreciative. Entitlement gets snuffed out fairly quickly on a road trip. … We don’t have much time for complainers.”