SPACE A TRAVEL

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SPACE A TRAVEL
Presented by CDR Joseph D. Little, USPHS
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Space Available Flights

• Space A or Military Hops
• Privilege provided to service members, retirees,
  and their families.
• (not an entitlement)
• Fill unused seats on DoD owned or controlled
  aircraft once all the space-required (Duty)
  passengers and cargo have been accommodated.

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Air Mobility Command (AMC)

• Headquarters
• Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
• Mission
• Provide airlift and aerial refueling to ensure
  rapid, global mobility and sustainment for
  Americas Armed Forces.

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Mobility Aircraft

• C-5 Galaxy
• KC-10 Extender
• C-17 Globemaster III
• C-130 Hercules
• KC-135 Stratotanker
• C-141 Starlifter

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C-5 Galaxy
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C-17 Globemaster III
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C-130 Hercules
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KC-10 Extender
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C-21 (Learjet)
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Operational Support Aircraft

• VC-25 (Air Force One)
• C-9
• C-20
• C-21 (Learjet)
• C-32 (Air Force Two)
• C-37
• C-40
• UH-1

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Eligibility

• Priority is based on 6 categories related to
• Status (Active Duty Uniformed Service member,
  Retirees, etc.)
• Situation (Emergency Leave, Ordinary Leave, etc.)

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Categories

• Category I Emergency travel in connection with
  serious illness, death, or impending death of an
  immediate family member.
• Category II Environmental Morale Leave (EML)
  including accompanied dependents.
• Category III Ordinary Leave, House Hunting
  Permissive TDY

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Categories

• Category IV Unaccompanied Dependents on EML,
  and DODDS Teachers on EML during Summer.
• Category V Permissive TDY (Non-House Hunting),
  Students, Dependents, and Others.
• Category VI Retirees.

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Category III Ordinary Leave

• Members of the Uniformed Services in an Ordinary
  Leave status.
• Family members may travel within the CONUS and
  overseas when accompanied by their sponsor.
• (PHS Officers)

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Category VI - Retirees

• Retired Uniformed Service Members.
• Dependents of Retired Uniformed Service Members
  when accompanied by their sponsor.
• (PHS Officers)

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Basic Rules and Regulations

• Leave Status
• Uniformed Service Members on Active Duty must
  be in Leave Status to register for Space A
  Travel, remain in Leave Status while awaiting
  travel, and be in Leave Status the entire period
  of travel.

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Basic Rules and Regulations

• Space A passengers travel only after all duty
  cargo and passengers have been accommodated.
• Be prepared for delays and possible flight
  cancellations.
• Have sufficient funds available to complete
  travel using commercial transportation if
  necessary.

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Basic Rules and Regulations

• Space A travelers may not use their privilege for
  personal gain or in connection with business
  enterprises or employment.
• Family members may travel within the CONUS and
  overseas when accompanied by their sponsor.

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Basic Rules and Regulations

• Seats are normally identified as early as 2-3
  hours and as late as 30 minutes prior to
  departure.
• Check with the Passenger Terminal often for
  showtimes.
• Be ready for immediate processing and boarding.

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Basic Rules and Regulations

• Categories assigned upon registering for travel.
• Compete for seats within Categories based on date
  and time of registration.
• New date and time are assigned for return travel.

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Basic Rules and Regulations

• Baggage Pack Light, take only essentials.
• Checked baggage 70 lbs on large aircraft, 30
  lbs on small aircraft.
• Name and address on and inside bags.
• Keep important documents, medicine, valuables
  with you in a small carry-on backpack.

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Flight Gateways

• For flight information, contact the specific
  Space A Passenger Terminals.
• Many Passenger Terminals have a recording,
  updated daily, with flight information and show
  times for the next 2 to 3 days.

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Flight Gateways

• Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina
• Flight Info Recording 843-963-3082
• Frequent Destinations
• Naval Air Station, Rota, Spain
• Ramstein Air Base, Germany
• Dover Air Force Base, Delaware

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Flight Gateways

• Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
• Flight Info Recording 302-677-2854
• Frequent Destinations
• Charleston Air Force Base, SC
• Ramstein Air Base, Germany
• Mildenhall, RAF, United KIngdom

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Flight Gateways

• Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Smyrna, GA
• 678-655-4903
• Naval Air Station Atlanta, Ga
• 678-655-6359
• Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL
• Flight Info Recording 334-953-6760

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How to Register

• Active Duty must be on Leave status.
• In person at the Passenger Service Center in the
  Passenger Terminal.
• Fax
• E-Mail

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How to Register

• Information Generally Required
• Name
• Rank
• Social Security Number
• Branch of Service
• Start and Stop Date of Leave (Active Duty)

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How to Register

• Information Generally Required
• Category (I-VI)
• Number of Passengers Traveling with You
• Destination (up to 5 may be chosen)
• Name and Social Security Numbers of any
  dependents traveling with you.

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How to Register

• Sponsors registering for family members will need
  to present all required documents
• Uniformed Services Identification Cards
• Passports
• Immunization Records
• Visas (when required by DoD Foreign Clearance
  Guide)

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How to Register

• Destinations
• Travelers may select up to 5 countries rather
  than destinations.
• The All choice is recommended for the 5th
  destination.

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How to Register

• Travelers compete for seats within a Category
  based on the date and time of registration.
• Upon arriving at final destination, sign-up
  immediately for return travel.

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How to Register

• Sign-up at multiple Gateways where you think you
  will originate your travel.
• Remain on the register for
• 60 days
• Duration of Leave
• Until selected for travel
• (which ever occurs first)

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How to Register

• Passengers who posses expired Leave
  authorizations will Not be able to register
  unless a leave extension has been approved.

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Required Documentation

• Active Duty Uniformed Service Member
• Uniformed Services/PHS ID Card (Active)
• (CAC)
• Retired Uniformed Service Members
• Uniformed Services/PHS ID Card (Retired)
• (blue)

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Required Documentation

• Dependents
• Uniformed Services ID and Privilege Card
• (brown)

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Immigration/Border Clearance

• Travelers should verify the requirements for
  each destination well ahead of the anticipated
  departure date.

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Immigration/Border Clearance

• Example Requirements
• Proof of US Citizenship
• Passport
• Visa
• Yellow Fever vaccination
• (if entering from an infected area).
• Cholera Immunization
• (if entering from an infected area).

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Boarding Procedures

• Roll call normally conducted
• 1.5 hours prior to CONUS flights
• 2 hours prior to OCONUS flights
• Selection begins with the highest Category and
  earliest date and time of sign-up.
• Must be present when name is called.

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Boarding Procedures

• Must be travel ready.
• Required to show ID Card and all other pertinent
  documentation.
• All flights subject to change without prior
  notification.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Are Space A opportunities assigned with regard to
  rank?
• No. Travel opportunity is offered based on
  your Category and Date and time of sign-up.

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FAQs

• What are the Categories?
• For PHS
• Category III - Ordinary Leave
• Category VI - Retirees

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FAQs

• Where and when can family members travel with me?
• Family members may travel within the CONUS and
  overseas when accompanied by their sponsor.

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FAQs

• Do I have to be in uniform to travel?
• No. Currently, all the services permit
  appropriate civilian attire.
• Use common sense.
• No open toed shoes.

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FAQs

• Do you have any recommendations on baggage?
• Travel light, take only essentials.
• Do not place valuables, medicine, or important
  documents in your checked baggage.

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FAQs

• Do you have any recommendations on baggage?
• Be sure your name and current address are on and
  inside your bags.

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FAQs

• What is the best time of the year to travel Space
  A?
• Any time other than peak travel and
• holiday periods.
• (Dec. Jan. and June July)

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FAQs

• Is it easier to go to some destinations?
• Yes. Places where AMC flies often such as
  Germany, are much easier than low frequency areas
  such as Australia or New Zealand.

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Lessons Learned

• Call the specific Passenger Terminals you plan on
  departing from for information concerning flights
  and frequencies.
• Most Passenger Terminals close at night. Make
  Lodging arrangements ahead of time. They can
  always be cancelled.

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Lessons Learned

• DoD Registration sticker on your vehicle.
• Park in designated long-term parking areas on
  base.
• Requires additional temporary permit displayed
  on dashboard.

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Lessons Learned

• The quickest path may not be a straight line.
  Going from major terminal to major terminal may
  get you to your destination faster.
• Charleston AFB
• Dover AFB
• Ramstein AB

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Lessons Learned

• Add several extra days of Leave to the end of
  your travel, in case of flight delays and
  cancellations.
• Seating may be unique.
• Be prepared for the flight to be extra hot or
  cold.
• Always bring a jacket.

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Lessons Learned

• Bring snacks, water, and reading material.
• Flights are noisy. Bring earplugs.
• Earplugs are usually provided by the flight
  crews.
• Make copies of your ID, Passport,
• and Leave Slip.

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Lessons Learned

• Get a phone card after arriving overseas.
• Inform Credit Card companies that you will be
  traveling overseas.
• Get a EuroRail pass in the U.S. ahead of time.

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Lessons Learned

• Remember, the mission of any AMC flight takes a
  higher priority than accommodating Space A.
• Be flexible.
• Conditions may warrant an unscheduled change.

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Lessons Learned

• Relax and be patient.
• If you are unable to do that, you should
  reconsider your decision to try Space A.
• Space A should not be your first choice of travel
  if you absolutely, positively have to be
  somewhere on time.

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Space A is an Adventure

• Be open to changes in your itinerary.
• Your attitude will make the difference.

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References

• Air Mobility Command (AMC)
• http//www.amc.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id380
• Charleston Air Force Base
• http//public.charleston.amc.af.mil/library/space
  a.asp

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References

• Military Living
• http//www.military.com/Travel/TravelPrivileges/0
  ,13396,,00.html

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