The Ultimate PCS Handbook: Part 4
Just like every good PCS, it gets complicated! We’re exploring PCS from start to finish in this series. If you missed any part of the series, you can catch up on Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
The End is Near!
At some point, you’ll get that call saying that your HHGs are ready to be delivered! Cue the cheers!
This is a great time to verify that you remember how to login to the DPS/ETA system. This is where you’ll go if you need to file a claim. The last thing you want is to get locked out when you’re trying to work on your claim.
Once your move is complete, you have 75 days to file damage claims. I don’t expect every move to have a damage claim. Hopefully, most of your belongings arrived in good shape after their long journey. But, things happen.
Your HHG are moving on vehicles that are at risk of getting into accidents, sometimes your goods have been handled by inexperienced workers because the moving industry is pinched, (see Part 3 for moving industry woes), your things have been moved hundreds or thousands of miles, over potholes, and more. Be realistic about your HHG as that truck pulls up to your door.
The Movers Have Arrived!
Walk your crew leader through your new home. Label each room to make things easier for the moving crew to deliver items to the correct location.
Once they start unloading the truck, stick nearby and use the BINGO (or inventory) sheet from the crew.
If you have a spare person, one of you can direct where boxes and furniture go while the other is marking off the BINGO sheet. This is crucial to finding items that may have gotten lost in the move. The earlier you can catch that a box or piece of furniture didn’t make it onto the truck, the more quickly the moving company will be able to start searching for it.
Unpacking
You have the opportunity to have your items unpacked. This is required for the crews. This doesn’t mean that each item will be carefully placed in its home. It simply means the packers will take each item out and place it on a nearby flat surface.
This is something that’s a personal preference. Maybe you want your kitchen unpacked, but the rest of the house you’ll work through on your own. Think about this, and be ready to let your crew leader know what you’d like done. Sometimes the biggest concern is removing boxes and packing paper after the unpack. You can always ask for a separate date for removal of boxes. Keep in mind that they aren’t required to come back for boxes and paper.
If you choose to unpack on your own, you’ll be required to sign or initial that you made that choice.
The moving crew is required to put back together anything that they disassembled at the pack. This includes beds, tables, desks, etc. The only exception is baby cribs—you’ll be on your own for that, so save those instructions. Sometimes taking pictures during the pack and load will help your new moving crew more easily re-build your furniture.
Filing a Claim
There is always the possibility that your HHG don’t arrive in pristine condition (I know, I’m being generous here). They traveled many miles in a truck. If you start to see things that are red flags to you, have the crew stop and contact your local transportation office immediately.
So many times, we’re grateful to finally having our belongings back that things are unloaded in a blur and we don’t deal with the situation. If you see multiple things damaged in your shipment, speak up! But remember—kindness and respect go a long way. The chances are low that the crew delivering your goods is the same that damaged your items. Don’t take it out on the delivery crew! They’re working hard to get you your items, and they probably feel awful when they see damages.
File your claims through EPS/DTA system. If you have a move manager or contact person from your transportation services provider, make sure you follow up. Please remember that there’s a person at the other end of the line. Screaming, yelling, or swearing isn’t going to get you as far with your claim as being kind but firm. There’s a good chance that the claims person you’re working with has been on the phone for hours with cranky customers, so give them some grace and maybe your claim will be moved along more swiftly.
PCSing is an almost unavoidable challenge of military life. A flexible mindset is a powerful weapon. I encourage you to be patient and kind this PCS season. If you aren’t moving, be there for a friend who is. And when you see those new families moving in, make it your purpose to be the first one to welcome them to the neighborhood, growing the strength of your community and the strength of our military.
We are only as strong as our weakest member—building a strong military community starts with a friendly face and a willing hand. Let that be you this season.
