Website. You can also post a ride request in one of the Facebook groups referenced in #8. For example, you may need to fly or drive to a base with regular Space-A flights to your desired destination. The drive takes about 90 minutes, but keep in mind that the shuttles may also pick up other passengers. They do not have a shuttle to the lodging at Vogelweh or Landstuhl. You may find it cold, loud, and uncomfortable. T (Tentative): Means mission/cargo details are planned but factors remain where the actual number of seats can not be finalized i.e. The train/bus combination from the BWI Amtrak station via Wilmington, DE takes anywhere from 2+ hrs to 4+ hrs, depending on the time of day. What does "No First Time Entry" (NFE) mean on schedules from Overseas locations to USA? In addition to the usual TVs, computers, and snacks, services at the BWI USO include a sleeping room and a family room with cribs, toys, and a movie library. Travel can be difficult during busy times (summer PCS season, holidays, etc.). The plane was now going to Memphis, TN. There is also a Facebook ride share group for Space-A travelers, but it is not specific to the Baltimore/DC area. I would like to travel on Space -A- Flight or Patriot Flights to Spain. Its worth learning how Space-A travel works so you can take advantage of this incredible privilege available to eligible members of the military community. For most Space-A flights, we arrive an hour or two in advance, but with a Patriot Express, you may have longer lines because passenger terminal staff are also dealing with many duty passengers. If you are new to Space-A flying,read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Military Flightsfirst to get a basic understanding of how Space-A works. Would like some advice. ), - Destination(s) (Sign up for up to five destinations). Members of the uniformed services in an ordinary or re-enlistment leave status. -Small USO Located inside Spangdahlem Passenger Terminal for all passengers inbound/outbound. A critical antenna is jammed on a Jupiter-bound spacecraft launched two weeks ago. Since the events of 9/11 less and less flight information is being provided in advance online but here are some schedule sources: The short answer is Yes but its going to take some detective work and time on your part. Flight information can be found on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Passenger Terminal Facebook page at www . Candlewood Suites at Fort Meade is privately managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/Terminals/CONUS-Terminals/Eglin-AFB-Passenger-Terminal/, https://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/Contact/Questions/. The shuttle picks up passengers Wednesdays and Fridays from Ramstein (Gate 1) at 0900 and from the bus stop outside the Landstuhl Hospital emergency room entrance at 0945. Christmas = more competition for fewer seats: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/avoid-space-a-travel-holidays/. Russian forces have been trying for 10 months to punch their way into the . We returned our vehicle to Avis (off base), and the taxi was able to drive on base and drop us at the Ramstein Inn. No tables, rankings or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products. More details can be found at https://www.osan.af.mil/Newcomers/, An official website of the United States government, PASSENGER TERMINAL DIRECTORY (Click on Location for Details), Rosecrans Memorial Airport St. Joseph, MO, UPDATE (1 Oct 2022):SPECIAL ISSUANCE PASSPORT (SIP) REQUIREMENT FOR GERMANY, JAPAN & THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, KOREAN ELECTRONIC AUTHORIZATION (K-ETA) REQUIREMENT, Featured Patriot Express (PE) Information, CLICK TO EXPAND MENU FOR PATRIOT EXPRESS (PE) INFO LINKS, Other DoD & Federal Government Travel links, Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) Sites - By Location, CLICK TO EXPAND FOR LINKS TO PASSENGER TERMINAL ICE SITES, Baltimore-Washinton International Passenger Terminal, Fairchild AFB Air Transportation Function, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Passenger Terminal, Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst Passenger Terminal, Little Rock AFB Air Transportation Function, McConnell AFB Air Transportation Function, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Passenger Terminal, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Passenger Terminal, Naval Air Station Rota Passenger Terminal, https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/installations/nsf_diego_garcia, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Passenger Terminal, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Passenger Terminal, https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrsw/installations/navbase_coronado, https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/nas_whidbey_island, http://www.nellis.af.mil/Units/SpaceAvailableTravel.aspx, https://www.robins.af.mil/Units/78th-Air-Base-Wing/Passenger-Terminal/, https://www.101arw.ang.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/453566/24-hour-space-available-recording/, https://www.190arw.ang.af.mil/Resources/Space-Available-Travel/, https://www.120thairliftwing.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Passenger-Terminal/, https://www.march.afrc.af.mil/Units/Space-A-Passenger-Terminal/, https://www.167aw.ang.af.mil/Resources/Space-A-Travel/, https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations, https://www.pittsburgh.afrc.af.mil/About-Us/Space-A-Program/, https://www.139aw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/Space-A/, http://www.westover.afrc.af.mil/AboutUs/Questions.aspx, AMC Pet Risk Acknowledgement Document -13Dec2022, Department of Defense (DoD) - Foreign Clearance Guide, General Services Administration (GSA) City Pair Program - Commercial Travel, Department of State (DOS) - Passport Information, Department ofHomeland Security (DHS) - Customs Information, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) PackSafe Prohibited Items Chart, Common Access Card (CAC) Identification Card Information, BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INTL (BWI) GATEWAY, MARYLAND, SEATTLE-TACOMA (SEATAC) INTL AIRPORT, WASHINGTON, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil, 735amsdet1.richmondausspaceasignup@us.af.mil, southcom.sotocano.jtfb-asa.list.space-a-scab@mail.mil, usaf.mi.127-wg.mbx.space-a-travel@mail.mil, usaf.ny.109-aw.mbx.space-a-travel-requests@mail.mil. Also if you see ground personnel walking through the lobby, ask them to alert the flight crew as well. A word about non Patriot Express "Monthly" schedules and the schedules found in commercial Space-A books. A mortgage licensee. Question 23: . You must mark yourself present at the terminal before roll call to let the staff know that you are competing for the flight. It has regular flights in all directions, including frequent missions to Europe. Eligible family members and DoD civilians on official travel to Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea must have either a 1. This article has more detail: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/avoid-space-a-travel-holidays/. Gate checked items (like our stroller) are picked up in baggage claim. There is usually one FBO at a location that handles the military/government contract on the airport. Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as Social Security numbers. See Passenger Terminal Directoryat the bottom of this page. Automated Sign-up Form |Clickto fill and submit our automated sign-up form to your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal (See Directory Below). Poppin Smoke does not represent the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. When you are ready to leave, make sure you always have a backup plan and ensure you have enough money to pay for commercial transportation if Space-A doesnt work out. Youll want to begin following some of their Space-A flight schedules, which well discuss in the next step. Thanks, so I have been following the social media pages for BWI and Ramstein. Dependents of military members deployed for more than 365 consecutive days. Customs and Immigration requirements may change. For younger passengers, bring their passports or MilConnect printouts that show the Department of Defense ID numbers. Equal Housing Lender. MORE: Veterans: Unlock Your Homebuying Dreams with a VA Loan. We estimate that our Space-A flights to Europe saved us between $800 and $1,600 on one-way airfare. Even if you request in advance and the Inn says they are full, go there in person. There are multiple flights per week from BWI to Ramstein. You can find cheaper, high-quality options off-base. Surviving Spouses (i.e. Cat 4: Unaccompanied EML; also includes dependents of service members deployed between 30 and 364 consecutive days, Cat 5: Permissive TDY (non-house-hunting), student travel, and post-deployment/mobilization respite absence; also includes unaccompanied dependents of service members stationed outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS), Cat 6: Military retirees, their dependents, military reserve, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) members and veterans who are 100% disabled. Our Military Space A to Ramstein Germany Adventure: We started out after the Christmas holiday at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. What Would a Seasoned Space-A Traveler Recommend? 6. These flights are some of the best options for Space-A travelers who use a walker or wheelchair. Space-A refers to seats aboard military aircraft that are offered on a "space available" basis to active duty personnel, family members and retirees at little or no cost. DMV stands for DC, Maryland, Virginia, but you can post a request for rides to any location in the general area, and may even find someone to take you to neighboring states (e.g. Dependents who are under the age of 14 must possess a Federal-, State-, local-, or tribal government-issued identification. You can also take the bus between downtown Kaiserslautern and Frankfurt airport. 3. And, of course, there may be a greater sense of adventure with Space-A travel. Click here to compare schedules and pricing for the train and bus and to purchase tickets. This blog is strictly for informational and entertainment purposes only. My husband os active and will be woth me any suggestions. Roll Call is conducted on the lower level (usually 3 hours before departure). The following are reader-recommended hotels near Ramstein Air Base. If youre traveling for an event, such as a wedding, and must arrive by a specific time, Space-A is not the best way to travel, especially if its during the peak seasons of summer, winter holidays, and spring break. You can ask questions and find information about flying to and from specific locations. SP (Seats Pending): Means that the Pax Terminal cannot determine a seat release because final mission/cargo details are unknown. Retired military members who are issued DD Form 2 and eligible to receive retired or retainer pay. The flights you take are on a space-available basis, and the number of passengers they take will depend on the flight. They are often cold or hot, so dress in layers. Your travel eligibility is for all DoD-owned or controlled aircraft. Despite the frequency of flights to Ramstein, BWI is not necessarily the best place to fly Space-A. . Per the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Space-A had been restricted due to COVID since March 2020. Since my husband retired from the Army in 2015, we have been using our military benefits to fly Space-A on military aircraft and stay in military facilities all over the world . Service members and their families can use Space-A flights - formally known as Military Airlift Command or MAC flights - to travel around the country and world at a reduced cost or for free. eFCG Link:https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/, Beginning 1 September 2021, all dependents, DoD Civilians, and DoD Contractors must comply with Korean Electronic Authorization (K-ETA) requirements. Space-A eligible travelers may not use their privilege for personal gain or in connection with business enterprises or employment. Its one of many fun things to do in Dover!). Where to Find AMC Flight Schedules. Click here for the latest pricing. 4. Those in lower-numbered categories receive higher priority for available seats. You will find out the exact order of stops and duration of anticipated layovers (if any) when you get to the terminal before the Space-A Roll Call. Other Space-A flights will be on large and loud military cargo planes, complete with five-point harnesses for passengers during lift-off and landing. Enter your information to join our mailing list. Hi, my name is Stephanie! Manual Sign-up Form |Clickto download, fill and submit AMC Form 140,Space Available Travel Request, to your nearest AMC Passenger Terminal. What are some Typical Flight Routes and Frequencies? Others have web seating along the sides of the plane. The reason is that the flight's destination does not have a customs agent available and active duty are not required to clear customs. SPACE-A SIGN-UP OPTIONS & REQUIRED INFORMATION, - Overseas travel-ready status (Required documents in-hand? BWI has an Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal and is one of the few civilian airports in the United States from which you can take a military flight. When you monitor the flights that depart from your target passenger over several weeks or months, youll notice patterns in the location and frequency of their missions. Trek over to the FBO building with your bag (under 30 lb for these small aircraft) and let the FBO staff know you are waiting on a military flight coming in and where it is going to. The content on The Military Wallet is produced by Three Creeks Media, its partners, affiliates and contractors, any opinions or statements on The Military Wallet should not be attributed to the Dept. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua), An official website of the United States government, Stuttgart Finance Customer Support (Det 1), Direct Hire Authority for Military Spouses, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Youll increase your chances of success by signing up to fly from all of them. The CONUS locations with the most frequent flights to Ramstein are Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Dover Air Force Base, Joint Base Andrews, Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), and Joint Base Charleston. Our team strives to provide a wide variety of information for our travelers to use in while making their travel preparations for either a PCS/TDY or to just get away to that special location to relax and unwind. Therefore 20 or more passengers would mean (at least) one less pallet position available for mission cargo. You may also find information about recently departed flights, including how the number of Space-A seats and how many passengers competed for those seats. Bring your military ID and any necessary documents, such as your passport, your leave form or your EML orders. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a partner the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of The Military Wallet. Check Your Luggage and Obtain Your Boarding Pass. McGuire is one of the most active Space-A bases on the East Coast. If you plan to be in Germany for at least 30 days, you can obtain a Zulassung form, which will allow you to purchase non-rationed items at the Exchange, Shoppette, and Commissary. Space-A travelers can request a room at the Ramstein Inn up to 24 hours in advance of arrival for a maximum of 3 days at a time using the online form on the 86th FSS website or by calling directly. I am retired and my wife and I would like to fly to Germany.. What would be the best time for us to go to Germany and come back.. We would like to stay for about a week or so. To travel to JB Andrews, the easiest ways are to take Lyft/Uber or an airport shuttle service. The Military Wallet does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Unlike Space-A flights on cargo planes, which usually board using an external staircase, flights at BWI board using a jetway. However, due to changing mission purposes, flights and seats are always subject to change without notice. Presented by Mortgage Research Center, LLC. Poppin Smoke does not represent the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. The information provided has been compiled since 2001 from online forums, individual contributions, websites, personal knowledge and regulations. Once you get through customs (which just wanted no fee passports and cac card) you go to baggage claim. Some (NAS North Island, Kaneohe Bay MCB, Fort Worth and NAS Whidbey Island) schedules are already published on the web (links to the schedules available from the, ManyTerminals post their 72-hour departure schedules on their Terminal Page-. Some have seats that are comparable to commercial airlines. Typically they will only give you info on flights departing within the next 72 hours. The Facebook group DMV Military Rides is a great place to find a ride from a fellow member of the military community, particularly if you need someone who has base access. Being able to stretch out on some aircraft can be another advantage over flying economy in a commercial plane. Flight from Charleston to Frankfurt am Main. Space-A Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Take a Flight on a Military Hop, Photo by Senior Airman Perry Aston, The Military Wallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. These eligible passengers can hop on the flights on a space-available (Space-A) basis. This is one of the most often asked questions. There were enough seats, but there was a last minute mission change. Bona fide family members (up to age 23 with a valid identification card) of a service member of the uniformed services when accompanied by their sponsor who is in an ordinary leave status within overseas areas between overseas stations and air terminals in the CONUS. Passport control is available for all inbound missions to Ramstein, so you do not need to worry about returning to the terminal to get your passport stamped if you arrive late at night. You may need to be more flexible about when you travel and even where youll go. Or you may need to take a train or flight from an overseas base to your final destination. . Each time you make a purchase, the cashier will record it on the form so that you can pay tax on the items before leaving the country. Lesser known Commercial-contract Missions: Not necessarily. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear, but does not affect our editors opinions or evaluations. Youll find a 72-hour flight schedule for most terminals on their Facebook pages or the AMC website. Patriot Express flights offer amenities, including meals and in-flight movies. They can also be loud. At well under $100/night, it was a great deal. Similar to many commercial flights, you can also bring one piece of carry-on luggage that fits under your seat or in the overhead compartment. Is it possible to get flights during the christmas holidays? BWI has two large long-term parking lots. You can use the phone, computers, or WiFi to make hotel and rental car arrangements. Neither facility has an airport shuttle. Peak travel times, including summer, winter holidays, and even spring break, are even more competitive. They can eat in all restaurants and informal dining establishments as well as at the DFAC. 1. Contact the Vicenza Health Center at +39 0444 61 9050 or LRMC at +49 6371 9464 5899.**. Heres what you need to know if youre planning to fly Space-A to Ramstein. Sandy, Its possible, but I dont recommend trying it. That strategy has always worked for us, along with these other tips for getting Space-A lodging. DODI 4515.13 restricts use of these privileges to establish a home for family members in an overseas area or the CONUS. You will generally be allowed to check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 70 lbs each. Flying Space-A via JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Military Retiree Life in Vilseck, Germany, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Military Flights, BWI has multiple flights per week to Ramstein, Germany and two flights per month to Mildenhall, All missions to and from BWI are Patriot Express flights, The BWI AMC terminal is located in Terminal E, You will go through customs with commercial travelers, BWI has a large USO near the AMC terminal, The closest lodging options are civilian hotels, Find rides to/from BWI in ride share Facebook groups, The closest military bases with Space-A flights are JB Andrews and Dover AFB, You can easily travel to Baltimore or DC using public transportation, BWI Passenger Terminal page on the AMC website, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson BWI Airport, Fairfield Inn & Suites Baltimore BWI Airport, La Quinta by Wyndham Baltimore BWI Airport, Guest Housing and Berry Hall Guest Quarters, Facebook ride share group for Space-A travelers, various combinations of trains, metros, and buses, review the Quickstart Guide to Space-A flights, https://www.poppinsmoke.com/avoid-space-a-travel-holidays/. You may fly on a commercial plane, but you could also be in a cargo plane or fuel tanker. If you have questions of a specific nature consider consulting a financial professional, accountant or attorney to discuss. The better you understand how to fly Space-A, the greater your chances of having a successful trip. European Lodging & Transportation Tips for Space-A Travelers covers advice on many topics related to travel within Europe, including on- and off-base lodging, train travel, and driving tips. Most of these flights are known as Operational Support Airlift (OSA) and are listed online on the JOSAC web site if you have .mil access and a DoD Common Access Card (not available to retirees). The page is maintained by. The "Webpage" column has a link to the passenger terminal's travel page. MORE: Unleash the Full Potential of Your VA Home Loan Benefits. We usually use Sixt. (Some travelers in Category 6 are not eligible to fly Space-A to foreign countries). If they dont call your name, dont leave the terminal just yet. ), Possibly more space to spread out compared to commercial airlines. One way to get schedule information is to phone/visit the terminal and ask the PSAs about their nominal schedules. The life support program MELiSSA of the European Space Agency uses the cyanobacterium Limnospira indica for air revitalization and food production. For example, if you catch a hop from Germany to JB McGuire or JB Andrews, both of those bases usually have regular missions to Charleston. Active duty travelers have priority when the USO is crowded. Space-A Travel Lessons Learned We are experienced Space-A travelers and had already flown Space-A to and from Europe, Hawaii, Japan, and destinations within the continental United States (CONUS). Check if meals are available on the flight, as youll pay for these when you check your luggage.
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