Anyone used Space A travel?

[ZLBubba]

I'm starting terminal leave from the Army in about 4 weeks and will have about 60 days of leave to enjoy before ETSing. I was hoping to use Space A to head over to Europe with my wife for some long-overdue travel.

Does anyone have experience traveling Space A, especially out of Andrews AFB? Is there any way to get a schedule? I'd assume there's OPSEC issues with posting such things, so maybe it's available through AKO or something.

Any information you have would be much appreciated.

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

http://www.amc.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=380

The biggest thing will be getting on a flight with enough seats given your category of priority. Going to Europe might not be as hard as coming back (especially to Andrews) depending on med evac flights.

Once you are in Europe, check out http://www.ryanair.com/en

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

The priority is supposed to be assigned according to your DA31. Mine will start ticking from 22JUL so hopefully I'll be able to move up the line fairly quickly. I'm actually thinking of trying to fly to and from Europe via England instead of Germany because I don't think missions will be as pressing. The good thing is that I've got flexibility with the dates.

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

yeah, your flexibility will definitely help.

that ryan air company has some good prices if you are looking to fly somewhere versus take a train or rented car.

 

[sinister]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

From Bragg your best bets are to fly from major AMC hubs -- Charleston and Dover. There may be a few missions leaving from closer (like Seymour Johnson) but pax are usually not allowed on refueling or other HAZMAT flights (ammo and explosives, etc.).

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sinister</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From Bragg your best bets are to fly from major AMC hubs -- Charleston and Dover. There may be a few missions leaving from closer (like Seymour Johnson) but pax are usually not allowed on refueling or other HAZMAT flights (ammo and explosives, etc.). </div></div>

Ah, I hadn't thought of that actually. I'm moving up to the DC area so Dover isn't too far away. Thanks for the help.

 

[45.308]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

It has been awhile since I have flown Space A. I am sure things have changed.

Every MAC Terminal has a list of all Space A flights and number of seats. Things change everyday.
Calling MAC terminal from where you start your flight will let you know.
There was an electronic sign up so you can sign up anywhere, I signed up from billet.
You must have some sort of orders to sign up.
Sign up early to get on the list..you can still get bumped.
When you sign up to leave CONUS, also sign up for your return and give your return date an extra 2 days or so.
I flew a contract rotator Space A 747 out of St Louis, to Philly to Germany, that was its loop, lots of seats but it was full, I think it is still on.
I flew CINCSAC 135 out of Offutt to Spain, treated like I was a General Officer.
Dover or Charleston would be your best bet as they have/had bi-weekly flights from States to Europe.
MEDIVAC has the most consistent schedule but everyone knows this and its hard to get a seat and very easy to get bumped.

Have money to fly home from where every you visit, why, a C5 full of space A was diverted to us, landed somewhere where another space A may never land again, civilian airport was miles away by local taxi and all those space A had no idea how they were to get out of there. The look on their face when they exited the jet, many were quit mad but hey, duty comes first. Our unit did this twice, we diverted a command 141 full of active duty TDY on their way home from the land of sand to us so we could get to where we were needed.

Good luck

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

Summer is a busy time to catch a hop. I always avoided peak times. Got stuck once and had to shell out for a tix back to Japan.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

Yeah, I've been trying to read all the stuff I can get my hands on about Space A and that seems like the consensus. Summer = block leave = PITA to go Space A. We may wait until September to give it a try, but I don't want to get stuck in Europe and I hit my ETS date. We'll just play it by ear.

 

[cavscout1983]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

The upside to getting stuck in Europe is well... it's Europe.

Although, I suspect being stranded there would be more fun if single than married. Anything not going according to plan while married is an invitation to hearing about how you are an idiot, it's all your fault, etc.

Women are caring and insightful like that.

 

[AK10mm]

Re: Anyone used Space A travel?

Been almost thirty years since I did it,wasted almost 3 days of leave in Frankfurt to catch a hop(it was Summer),then the PIA factor in taking a Bus from McGuire to JFK so I could get to Colorado.

This was the first and last time I ever did this,there are too many good deals out there esp if you have time to plan ahead.