Field Problem: Space Available Advice

Dear, Field Problems:

I’ve seen quite a few conversations about Space A military travel on your website, but I’m still very confused. Where do I start? Is there anything that is a “must know?” Any advice you can provide would be very helpful. I’m completely overwhelmed.

Gwendloyn; Fort Wainright, AK

Dear Gwendolyn:

I can completely relate to your fear of the unknown. One July, my family and I took an amazing trip to Europe. We visited Germany, Belgium, France, and Ireland, and we were able to see all of our military friends along the way. We had heard about Space Available travel before but always found it mysterious and cumbersome. At the risk of having to cancel our trip because of the cost of our commercial airline tickets, we decided to get serious and dig deep into the Space A process.

The first thing we learned (and the main advice I can now pass on) was that you need to be flexible, plan for the unexpected, and be ready for anything. After much research and many questions to those that had gone before us I have gathered some great tips to share with you.

Expectation Management and Attitude Adjustments

The first thing you need to do is manage your expectations. If you are expecting to travel on a tight schedule, not wait in a line, not have your travel diverted to another route, or be waited on by a flight attendant, then Space A travel is not for you. If you adjust your attitude up front to expect that you’ll be doing the military “hurry up and wait” game, you might arrive a day later than you wished and that you will have to get your own drink, then you’ll be good to go! When we were flying we had a blast, but I could see how someone who didn’t like to trek it “military style” would be highly annoyed with this process.

Have a Game Plan

You can do a little research and figure out your departure location and what flights are your best bets. There isn’t a strict flight schedule, but most bases fly back and forth to the same locations. You can find a list of Air Mobility Command terminals here. The Air Mobility Command is the group of the Air Force that handles the Space A travel.

Each location has a phone number and website so you can view the flight “show times.” The “show time” is the no later than time that you need to be in the terminal (ready to board) and signed in for the flight. Remember: Space A seats are normally identified as early as three or four hours and as late as 30 minutes prior to departure.

Process your Paperwork and Register

Every installation has an expert in Space A travel who will know what paperwork to submit and what you’ll need to travel. Circumstances vary, so it will depend on what you’re doing how this process works. No matter what—before you even start your travel—be sure that you have all the paperwork you need, including your passports. Nothing is worse than having all your luggage (and children) in tow and being told that you forgot a piece of paper and have to start over. Here is a list of approved travel documents.

Last but not least, do not forget to register the soonest possible moment (the second that your soldier is on leave, or if you are traveling without him, the second you are authorized travel). You can register in person at the Air Mobility Command passenger terminal or email your request. Don’t forget to register for your return flight as well.

Know your Category

Along the same lines of paperwork, you need to know your Space A category and if you are eligible for travel. You can find the list of categories here.

Cost

When we traveled Space A, our only cost on the plane was our food. Our entire family ate for $17. Some terminals must collect a head tax or a federal inspection fee from Space A passengers on commercial contract missions. Still, this fee is very nominal.

Packing and Luggage

Here is a great list of baggage restrictions. I found that packing each of us a backpack full of snacks, reading materials, games, laptop, and music was very helpful. There are outlets on the military aircraft to charge your electronics. I also recommend packing a pillow and a blanket as you are able to leave your seat and “camp” on the floor of the aircraft.

Do Your Prior Proper Planning

The most calming thing that I did before our trip was research the locations we thought we might fly out of or into. I found nearby transportation, hotels, and restaurants. I scoured the internet to find out more about the passenger terminal and what it had available. For some, I even found documents that listed all of this helpful information.

 

In the end, we saved more than $3,000 on our trip and had an amazing journey. If you asked me today if I would recommend Space A, I’d give you (and I’m sure my family would agree) an overwhelming yes! Did we have bumps in the road, cancelled flights, and travel hiccups? Sure. Our adventure was so fun that those hiccups seemed minor.

After all, who can say that they’ve ridden in the belly of a C-17? I can!