Space-A Travel FAQ

From Spacea.net

Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

Overview

If this website has helped you in your travels then please consider making a donation towards its maintenance costs.

About this FAQ

Please email additions/corrections/suggestions etc...to "spacea at spacea dot net" Note: This is an unofficial web page developed as a volunteer service to the military community. The information provided here is based on the contributors' knowledge and experience and every effort is made to keep this info up to date. It is your responsibility to verify everything with current regulations and policy. Some web links may only work from .mil (dot mil) computer systems.

Due to the enormous amounts of info collected since 2006 the FAQ is now contained in three parts:

  • Space-A_Travel FAQ: Basic Info: Overview, Regulations, Terminology/Acronyms and Resources
  • Space-A Travel FAQ-2: Eligibility, Registration (Signup) Procedures and Dependent Travel
  • Space-A Travel FAQ-3: Flight Schedules, Preparation and Miscellaneous

If you find something incorrect or out of date then please send me a correction as your info will help a fellow traveler. Enjoy your journey!

I'm totally new to space-a travel. In brief, what is it?

The Space-Available travel program is a travel benefit that allows authorized passengers to occupy DoD aircraft seats that are surplus after all space-required passengers and cargo have been accommodated. Space-A travel is allowed on a non-mission interference basis only. Space-available travel is a privilege (not an entitlement) available to Uniformed Services members and their dependents. The majority of Space-A flights are offered by the Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC) or the Navy and Space-A seats are normally free (there is a tax charged for AMC's Patriot Express flights). The most common destinations are in many parts of the USA (including Hawaii and Alaska), Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. Less frequent destinations (some very rare) could include South and Central America, Africa, and Australia. Usually, the best time to obtain a seat(s) is when dependent children are in school. For more details, read on!

How do I learn about Space-A travel?

a. The main discussion forum on the Internet devoted to Space-A travel is Dirk Pepperd's Space-A Message Board. Read through ALL the topics on these sites and copy helpful information to a file or print out those that are helpful. Keep them organized by departure or destination etc… b. If you decide to post a request for information on either of the above discussion boards, it helps get a complete answer if you include the following information:

  • What's your category (Active duty, retired, reserve, Active duty dependent, retired dependent , reserve dependent, etc….)?
  • Who (dependents, children, infants) is in your group?
  • Where (Overseas, State) are you traveling from?
  • When (summer, winter) do you want to fly (Both ways) and what's your final destination?
  • How much time do you have to complete your trip?
  • How will you get to your U.S. port of departure?

c. Become familiar with the following Space-A resources such as (many of the sites below will point to other sites):

d. Read current and past Space-A news articles.

e. After you've done some/all of the above, you'll learn a lot. Then go back to Dirk Pepperd's Board and ask more questions.

I'm confused - how do I get started?

First, determine your eligibility for Space-A travel. Then:

  • SIGN-UP: Signup at the locations you plan to initiate travel from (both coming and going). Some terminals have a web form you can fill out to register (see the Space-A Location Listings). You can also sign-up (register) in person, by email or fax. Note, you are not "signing-up" for a particular flight and you do not make flight "reservations!" When you sign-up you go on "the list" (at that location only) and you compete for flights based on your priority on "the list" within your category. When the PSA receives your "sign-up request" they assign you a date/time based on the Julian date calendar and Zulu time your sign-up was received. Your sign-up time determines your position/priority within each Space-A Category.
  • SHOW UP: Once signed-up, you'll have to decide where you want to depart from (e.g. Dover, McGuire etc….) based on predicted departures. It helps to phone the terminal you think you want to depart from and/or monitor their recording (flight departures) to get a feel for possible destinations. As soon as you physically arrive at a location check in with the folks at the Pax desk to see if you are listed on the Space-A register with the correct date/time/seats (some locations print a list daily for review). If something is not correct with your registration then fix it! Let the Pax rep know that you are interested in any upcoming flights.
  • GIDDY-UP: Now that you're at the terminal the adventure begins. You're next step is be physically present at the terminal and travel-ready (luggage, dependents and proper paperwork in-hand and car parked) for the "show-time" of the particular flight you'd like to be manifested on and wait for the flight's "Roll Call." . If you make the cut at the flight Roll Call you'll be manifested and on your way! Prospective passengers will be selected (manifested) during the "Roll Call" based on priority of category and signup date/time starting with Category-I (CAT-I) through CAT-VI.

Basic Acronyms, Terminology and Questions

What are some Space-A related Terms, Acronyms and Airport Codes?

AcronymExplanationAcronymExplanation
Airport Codes Link to decipher-er airport codes OCONUS Outside The Continental United States
AMC Air Mobility Command (MAC was old term) OSA Operational Support Airlift
AMCI Air Mobility Command Instruction (i.e. regulation) PAX Passengers
BEQ Bachelor Enlisted Quarters PAT-EX Patriot Express
BOQ Bachelor Officer's Quarters PSA Passenger Service Agent
CBQ Combined Bachelors Quarters PSC Passenger Service Counter
CONUS Continental United States PSR Passenger Service Representative
DoDEA Department of Defense Education Activity RAF Royal Air Force
DTG Date-Time-Group RON Remain Overnight
EML Environmental Morale Leave TDY Temporary Duty
FBO Fixed Base Operator TLF Temporary Lodging Facility
HOP Slang for a Space-A Flight VOQ Visiting Officer's Quarters
MAC Military Air Command (AMC is new term)
MEDEVAC Medical Evacuation
NAS Naval Air Station
NAVAIR Naval Air Systems Command

What are "Categories? (CATs)"

Basically, your travel status "category" is your priority. There are six categories (CAT-I thru CAT-VI). CAT-I is highest priority (first to get offered a Space-A seat) and CAT VI is the lowest Category (last to get offered a Space-A seat after CAT I thru CAT V). A GENERIC explanation of each category is:

  • CAT I: Emergency Leave Unfunded Travel
  • CAT II: EML (Active Duty and their accompanied dependents)
  • CAT III: Active Duty Ordinary Leave and accompanied dependents,, House Hunting Permissive TDY, Medal of Honor Holders, dependents of deployed service members whos sponsor is deployed in excess of 365 days (selected behind active duty members regardless of date/time of sign up)
  • CAT IV: Unaccompanied Dependents on EML or dependents of deployed service members who's sponsor is deployed in excess of 120 days but less than 365 and DoDDS Teachers on EML During Summer
  • CAT V: Unaccompanied Command Sponsored and Non-Command Sponsored Dependents of Active Duty, Permissive TDY (Non house Hunting), Students
  • CAT VI: Retired and their accompanied Dependents, Reserve, ROTC, NUPOC, and CEC

If you're not clear what category you are in you can find a more complete explanation of each category in DoD 4515.13-R, Chapter 6, Table 6.1

What is "Show Time?"

"Show Time" is the time prior to scheduled aircraft departure that the terminal Passenger Service reps may start the roll call for manifesting (assigning Space-A seats). "Show Time" is usually 2 to 3 hours prior to departure. At, or sometime after the "Show Time", the Pax reps will do a "Roll Call" for the flight. "Show Times" can, and often do, change and may occur earlier than advertised so arrive early at the terminal!!

NOTE 1: You must declare yourself "Present" (in person) to the passenger service reps at the terminal WITHIN the 24 hours of the roll call of the flight you'd like to be manifested on. This is also a good time to verify your signup date/time is properly entered into the system. Declaring yourself "Present" lets the Pax reps know the number of people "actively" seeking a flight. When you declare yourself "Present" you are merely telling the Pax Reps that you have physically arrived at the terminal and you would like your name included in all the roll calls for your destination in the next 24 hours. Shortly before the show time, the Pax reps will post a list of those "Present" showing you exactly where you stand in the pecking order for that flight. If you fail to mark yourself "Present" and you physically show up for a roll call then you'll have to wait until all other Space-Available passengers marked present at the beginning of the roll call have been afforded the opportunity to compete for the open seats. If seats remain, the Pax reps will begin a new roll call starting with Category-I and then you will have a shot at remaining seats.

NOTE 2: The above process may or may not be followed at ALL terminals. According to the reg, all space-available passengers competing for a seat must be ""marked present"" (in the computer system) at the beginning of roll call so it would be behoove you to check in with the Pax reps WITHIN the 24 hours prior to a roll call to ensure you're marked "present." There is no need to show up and be marked present 24 hours prior to a flight you desire. Best advice is to show up an hour or two before a flight you desire and have yourself "marked present."

What is "Roll Call?"

The phrases "Roll Call" and "Show Time" are often used interchangeably because "Roll Call" can occur at "Show Time." A "Roll Call" for a flight can occur at, or sometime after, "Show Time." "Roll Call" is a phrase used to signify the beginning of the process in which eligible passengers in each category are selected by date and time of sign-up. Space-Available passengers competing for a seat must be present at the beginning of the "Roll Call." Category-I, Space-Available passengers will be considered for any flight currently being processed even if the Space-Available roll call has already begun (roll call time passed) regardless of the current category being selected. To start the "Roll Call", the PSA will start "calling" each Space-A category beginning with Category I (Cat-I) and work their way down to CAT-VI until all available seats are filled. All Cat-1 personnel present will be manifested, then all Cat-2, then all Cat-3 and so on through Cat-6. Within each Category the seats are filled based on your date/time signup priority.

If you are not present when your name is called, you do not get manifested on the flight. If the category/date/time of a Space-Available passenger has been passed, that passenger must wait until all other Space-Available passengers present at the beginning of the roll call have been afforded the opportunity to compete for the open seats. If seats remain, the PSA will begin a new call starting with Category I. If a mission changes destination, the roll call will be started over. If additional seats are released for a mission after the "Roll Call" is finished, the Space-Available call will continue where it previously ended. However, if the PSA had to pass over a family due to insufficient seat release to accommodate them and additional seats become available, afford the families that were passed over an opportunity to take these seats and then the Space-Available "Roll Call" will resume where it previously left off. Passengers must be travel ready at the time of "Roll Call".

What is "Manifested?"

If you're selected for a flight, you're "manifested" on that flight - in other words, you made the cut!

What does "manifested through" mean?

"Manifested through" an en route location means that you would not have to compete for seats with other passengers at an en route location. For example, consider a mission traveling from Jackson, MS though Andrews AFB (where it will RON) and then continue on to Ramstein AB the following day. If you are only manifested as far as Andrews AFB then you would have to re-compete for seats to get manifested on that same mission/plane for travel onward to Ramstein AB. However, if the folks at Jackson "manifest you "through" Andrews to Ramstein AB then your seat on that mission is reserved (subject to bumping of course) through to Ramstein and you would NOT have to re-compete with passengers desiring to join that mission at Andrews.

What is a "command-sponsored and non-command sponsored dependent?"

A COMMAND-SPONSORED Dependent is a Dependent residing with a member at an OCONUS location at which an accompanied-by-dependents tour is authorized, the member is authorized to serve that tour, and who is authorized by the appropriate authority to be at the member's Permanent Duty Station. If you are stationed in the CONUS with your sponsor then you are NOT a command sponsored dependent. If your sponsor gets "deployed" OCONUS then that does NOT make you a command sponsored dependent. Here is a [ttp://www.spacea.net/images/commandsponsored.rtf sample Command Sponsor Letter]. A Non-COMMAND-SPONSORED Dependent is a dependent prohibited from traveling to overseas commands at Government expense. In other words, you are not on your sponsor's PCS orders to an OCONUS location (e.g. Korea). Here is a sample Non- Command Sponsor Letter.

What is EML and how can we get it?

EML is Environmental Morale Leave. In certain geographic areas (i.e. OCONUS), living conditions are such that leave must be taken in a more suitable geographic and cultural environment to accomplish its stated purpose. EML provides a means of expeditious travel from an EML location to a suitable EML destination. Designation of an EML location cannot be based on adverse economic or cultural conditions alone. EML is not intended to compensate sponsors and their families for the high cost of living overseas, language barrier, or cultural differences. The Pacific Command EML Program Document contains a list of authorized locations. Some European EML locations are listed on a Ramstein list of EML locations. The Ramstein list may be dated so check with the folks that issue your leave papers to see if you or your dependents qualify for EML. Unfunded EML qualifies your for Space-A (i.e. Active Duty CAT-II) and is only valid to and from the first authorized EML destination (e.g. CONUS) actually reached. Space-A travel beyond the first authorized EML destination (e.g. from western CONUS to eastern CONUS) to subsequent destinations will be as a Cat-III (Active Duty). Return to the original EML location from the authorized EML destination is as a Cat-II. Insert non-formatted text here

What is CONUS, OCONUS and Overseas and why do I care?

  • a. CONUS = The 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia or "the lower 48, as they're affectionately known to the Alaskans."
  • b. OCONUS = Outside Continental United States
  • c. Overseas = Any country or place beyond the CONUS. Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. territories are considered overseas under the Space-A Regulation.

Some folks use the terms OCONUS and Overseas interchangeably but the above are the official definitions.

What the heck is the "Patriot Express" (sometimes referred to as a "rotator"?")

That's Air Mobility Command's name for its commercial charter flights. AMC contracts charters with commercial carriers because it is an economical, efficient way of moving large numbers of personnel where they need to go. Charter seats not filled by official fliers are assigned for a small fee (you pay nominal fees approximately $15-$27 per person) to Space-Available travelers. The process for signing up for Space-A travel is the same as other military flights. Patriot Express flights have the usual commercial airline amenities. The flights are at least equal to the commercial economy class and, in some cases, a bit better. For instance, travelers on some flights can expect hot towels, free movies and headsets, and more leg room than found on most commercial airlines. West coast Patriot Express flights depart and arrive via Seattle-Tacoma International (SeaTac) Airport to Kadena, Yokota, Iwakuni and Misawa.

East coast Patriot Express departures depart and arrive via Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport and Norfolk NAS to Europe (Germany, Italy, Azores, Greece and Spain). For further information on the Patriot Express, read through the AMC Patriot Express Brochure. Note: Patriot Express flights are slowly being phased out and Atlanta IAP, Los Angeles, Rhein-Main AB, and RAF Mildenhall are no longer used as Patriot Express departure points. See the Patriot Express News Articles for more info and the phase out history. Don't despair fellow Space-A travelers, even though Patriot Express flights may phase out completely, opportunities for space-A travel still exist on military aircraft to/from the usual military bases.

What is a Spacea.net "Location Wiki Page?"

The Spacea.net web page for each Space-A location is known as a "Wiki Page" because Wikepedia=like software is used to build the page. Each Space-net Wiki Page contains a ton of information about each Space-A location such as lodging, ground transportation and local tips. The Wiki Page also contains links tothe location's main web page in addition to a direct link to the location's Space-A page and any online schedules.

What is an AMCGRAM?

Some Passenger Terminals (the good ones) publish, post and keep current a fact sheet called an "AMCGRAM." The AMCGRAM provides helpful info about that particular location such terminal hours, long-term parking instructions, contact numbers for local lodging, rental cars and other amenities.

Retrieved from "http://spacea.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Space-A_Travel_FAQ"
Personal tools