Whenever University of Hawaii football coach Norm Chow enters an airplane for a road trip, he only makes right turns.

For the Rainbow Warriors, the coaches travel in coach class.

"We don’t need a first-class seat," Chow said. "We don’t have to play."

Instead, if there are available front-section seats at no additional cost, Chow gives them to the team’s medical staff.

"They deserve it," Chow said.

After Thursday’s morning practice, the Warriors were scheduled to depart for the first of six road trips this season.

The Warriors were set to stay overnight in Los Angeles, then travel Friday to Boulder, Colo., ahead of Saturday’s game against Colorado.

UH is bringing 64 players, with an overall travel party of less than 100. In contrast, Pac-12 teams usually have travel parties of more than 140. Washington, UH’s season-opening opponent, brought its own X-ray machine to Aloha Stadium.

"We travel with the bare-bones support staff," Chow said. "They do a terrific job in helping each other. Everybody cooperates."

Chow said equipment specialist Al Ginoza helps athletic trainer Eric Okasaki. Ticket manager Walter Watanabe and media relations director Derek Inouchi help Ginoza. Travel agent Lavana Francisco assists Inouchi.

"Everybody has to help out," Chow said. "The ancillary staff is outstanding."

The Warriors probably will spend fewer than 24 hours in Boulder, which is 5,430 feet above sea level. The Warriors will have to cope with the thin air, which taxes stamina, as well as the noon (Mountain time) kickoff (8 a.m. in Hawaii).

"We don’t make a big deal about it," Chow said. "It doesn’t matter where we play, who we play, when we play, what time we play. We tell ourselves: ‘We’re going to play.’"

As for the early start, Chow said: "Our body clocks will say it’s 8 in the morning, which is fine, because that’s the time we practice, anyway."

Most UH practices run between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Chow said Ikaika Woolsey remains the No. 1 quarterback. The Warriors have auditioned a few players to serve as backup to running back Steven Lakalaka, who was promoted after Joey Iosefa injured his ankle. Lakalaka rushed 32 times for 124 yard in a 27-24 victory over Northern Iowa last week.

This season, seven UH starters have missed significant game time because of injuries.

"We have to close ranks and keep marching," Chow said. "This nonconference schedule, as you know, is tough. It’s another Pac-12 school coming up."