Marines


MCAS/Space-A FAQ

 

QUESTION 1: Is Space A travel a reasonable substitute for travel on a commercial airline?

ANSWER: The answer depends on you! If your travel schedule is flexible and your finances permit for a stay (sometimes in a "high-cost" area), while awaiting movement, space available travel a good travel choice. While some travelers sign up and travel may be the same day, many factors could come together to make buying a commercial ticket your best or only option. Remember, Space A travel success depends on flexibility and good timing.

QUESTION 2: Who determines eligibility to fly Space A?

ANSWER: The four services jointly establish Space A eligibility. AMC's first responsibility is airlifting official DoD traffic. Space A passengers are accommodated only after official duty passengers and cargo.

QUESTION 3: How long does my name stay on the Space A list?

ANSWER: All travelers remain on the register 45 days after registration, or for the duration of their travel orders authorization, or until they are selected for travel, whichever occurs first. Revalidation has been eliminated.

QUESTION 4: What is country sign-up, and how does it affect me?

ANSWER: Under this program, you may sign up for five different countries rather than five different destinations. You are also eligible for the "ALL" sign-up which makes you eligible for all other destinations served. This gives you a greater selection of destinations from which to choose.

QUESTION 5: How to sign-up for space A at MCAS Kaneohe Bay only?

ANSWER: Sign-up allows passengers to enter the backlog by submitting online form, email (MCBH_MCAS_SPACEA@usmc.mil) or telefaxing sign-up request with family member’s names. The date and time stamp of the sent online form, email or telefax data header will establish date/time of sign-up; therefore, active duty personnel must ensure the telefax is sent no earlier than the effective date/time of leave. The original date and time of sign-up shall be documented and stay with the passenger until his or her destination is reached. On reaching destination, the passenger may again sign-up for space available travel to return to home station.

NOTE: If applicable, a statement that all required border clearance documents are current is required.

QUESTION 6: What is self-sign-up?

ANSWER: MCAS Kaneohe Bay does not have self-sign-up service but most AMC terminals do allow passengers to sign-up at a terminal without waiting in line. Active duty personnel must ensure sign-up takes place no earlier than the effective date of leave. If your travel will take you to a foreign country, ensure border clearance documentation is up to date. If you are unsure, verify it with a passenger service representative on duty.

QUESTION 7: How can I find where my name is on the Space A register?

ANSWER: Each terminal maintains a Space A register (organized by priority and the date and time of registration for travel) that is updated daily. The register is located at our terminal counter where travelers may visit.

QUESTION 8: As a Reservist, where can I fly?

ANSWER: Reserve members with DD Form 2 (Red) identification and DD Form 1853 may fly to, from, and between Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the CONUS. Additionally, when on active duty, members may fly anywhere overseas that AMC has flights operating.

QUESTION 9: As a Retiree, where can I fly?

ANSWER: Retired members with DD Form 2 (Blue) identification card may fly anywhere AMC has flights operating, including the CONUS and all other restrictions are complied with.

QUESTION 10: Can my newborn baby and I travel Space-A?

ANSWER: Yes, you can, however, mothers who are less than 6 weeks postpartum and infants less than 6 weeks old must be certified medically sound for travel in writing by a responsible medical officer or civilian physician. Please bring your car seats of ease of travel.

QUESTION 11: Where and when can my family members travel with me?

ANSWER: Except EML and emergency travel, family members must be accompanied by the sponsor to fly Space A. Family members may travel to/from and between overseas locations but not within the CONUS unless manifested on domestic leg segments of international travel.

CHANGE: Expanded space available travel privileges for dependents of active duty military members went into effect Oct 20, 1995.

Under the new rules:* One dependent of an active duty member may travel within the continental United States when accompanying his/her sponsor on emergency leave or on permissive house- hunting trips incident to a permanent change of station move. * Command sponsored dependents stationed overseas are allowed unaccompanied travel to, from, and within the overseas theater (in addition to environmental morale leave previously authorized). Travel restrictions may apply to certain overseas areas as determined by the unified commander.

Members traveling in the last category must have documentation signed by their sponsor's commander verifying command sponsorship during their travels and show to air terminal personnel. This document is only valid for one round-trip from the sponsor's duty location. An eligible parent or legal guardian must accompany family members under 18 years of age.

Expanded information:

SUBJ: UNACCOMPANIED COMMAND-SPONSORED DEPENDENTS (CAT V) TRAVEL (DONP98002)

REF: OUR 071447Z MAY 97.

1. DUE TO RECENT INQUIRIES, THE FOLLOWING POLICY CLARIFICATION REGARDING CAT V UNACCOMPANIED TRAVEL IS PROVIDED. IAW DOD 4515.13-R, TRAVEL IS AUTHORIZED OVERSEAS-CONUS, CONUS-OVERSEAS, AND OVERSEAS- OVERSEAS. OVERSEAS TO CONUS TO OVERSEAS TRAVEL DOES NOT MEAN CAT V DEPENDENTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO TRANSIT THE CONUS TO GET TO ANOTHER OVERSEAS AREA OR THEATER. THE INTENT OF CAT V UNACCOMPANIED TRAVEL IS TO AFFORD DEPENDENTS RELIEF FROM THEIR OVERSEAS DUTY LOCATION.

2. ONCE DEPENDENTS TRAVEL FROM AN OVERSEAS LOCATION TO THE CONUS, THEY MAY ONLY TRAVEL FROM THE CONUS BACK TO THEIR OVERSEAS DUTY LOCATION (I.E., ALASKA TO CONUS AND BACK TO ALASKA). HOWEVER, THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION; PASSENGERS WHO ARE MANIFESTED ON A MISSION THAT TRANSITS THE CONUS AS AN EN ROUTE STOP MAY TRAVEL TO THEIR MANIFESTED DESTINATION (I.E., ALASKA-TRAVIS-HAWAII). ADDITIONALLY, CAT V DEPENDENTS MAY TRAVEL FROM OVERSEAS LOCATIONS TO OTHER OVERSEAS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE THEATER. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY TRAVEL ON AN AIRCRAFT IF IT OPERATES FROM ALASKA TO HAWAII AND BACK TO ALASKA. BUT AGAIN, ANYTIME CAT V PASSENGERS LAND ON CONUS SOIL, THEIR CAT V TRAVEL IS COMPLETE UNLESS THEY ARE ON AN AIRCRAFT THAT IS ONLY TRANSITING THE CONUS AS AN EN ROUTE STOP.

These changes do not affect the assignment categories for Space A travel.

QUESTION 12: Can I have family members travel with another military member if given power of attorney, other releases, or authority?

ANSWER: No. Family members may only travel when accompanied by their sponsor.

QUESTION 13: I am disabled. Can I have a brother, sister, or friend accompany me to help me?

ANSWER: The only persons permitted to accompany you are persons eligible for Space A travel. Every effort shall be made to transport passengers with disabilities who are otherwise eligible to travel. Passenger service personnel and crewmembers shall provide assistance in boarding, seating, and deplaning passengers with special needs.

QUESTION 14: Do I have to be in uniform to travel?

ANSWER: Each service determines travel uniform policies. When civilian clothing is worn, use common sense. Attire should be in good taste and not in conflict with accepted attire in the overseas country of departure, transit, or destination, as defined by the DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (no opened toed shoes are permitted). It should also be capable of keeping you warm especially on military aircraft.

QUESTION 15: How many pieces of luggage and how much weight am I allowed to take?

ANSWER: Typically Space A travelers may check up to two pieces of luggage at 70 pounds each per person. Some restrictions per aircraft may occur like the C-20 or C-40 which may limit baggage weight to 25 pounds on a C-20 and 40 pounds per person on a C-40. Family members traveling together may pool their baggage allowance as long as the total does not exceed the total allowance. You may hand carry only what fits under your seat or in the overhead compartment, if available. Oversized articles more than 62 linear inches will be considered two pieces (i.e. bikes, surfboards, golf clubs) and are subject to aircraft configuration. 

Note: Baggage may be limited due to type of aircraft or other restrictions.

QUESTION 16: Can I pay for excess baggage when flying space available?

ANSWER: No. Only duty status passengers may pay for excess baggage.

QUESTION 17: Do you have any recommendations on baggage?

ANSWER: Yes. Travel light, take only essentials. Do not place valuables, medicine, or important documents in your check baggage. Be sure your name and current address are on and inside your bags. Air terminals have baggage ID tags available for you to use.

QUESTION 18: Can my pet travel with me on a Space A flight?

ANSWER: No. DoD has reserved pet shipments for passengers in permanent change of station (PCS) status onboard commercially chartered aircraft only. Additionally, travel with pets would be difficult at best due to limited aircraft pet spaces, pet import documentation requirements, and the possibility of quarantine in the event of an aircraft divert.

QUESTION 19: Will Space A travel cost much?

ANSWER: In general, no. Some terminals must collect a head tax or a federal inspection fee from Space A passengers on commercial contract missions. Meals (where available) may be purchased at a nominal fee out of most air terminals while traveling on military aircraft.

QUESTION 20: What facilities are available at MCAS Kaneohe Bay (nursery, exchanges, snack bar)?

ANSWER: Facilities at most military terminals are generally the same as commercial facilities. Our facility has a snack bar at the terminal (hours are 0600-1300, M-F). Other facilities are available on base however walking will be required or other means of transportation.

QUESTION 21: What type of transportation is available once you arrive at MCAS Kaneohe Bay?

ANSWER: MCAS Kaneohe Bay does not have a scheduled on-base bus system however there is an off-base system, please visit: http://www.thebus.org/ for further details. All other transportation is taxi, friends/family or rental car services.  (Estimated CAB costs to Waikiki, Hickam AFB or Pearl Harbor TLF is around $60 per vehicle one-way pending time of day) On base costs vary on destination (BOQ or TLF) and usually costs under $20.

NOTE: MCAS Kaneohe Bay passenger terminal will close at night. Space A travelers should be prepared to defray billeting expenses.

QUESTION 22: What are the trends in the availability of Space A travel? Does it seem as if there will be more or less Space A travel in the coming year?

ANSWER: Although AMC has led efforts to improve Space A travel in the past few years, movement still remains a result of unused seats. Present DoD personnel and budget trends are effecting Space A movement opportunity. AMC is dedicated to putting a passenger in every available seat.

QUESTION 23: What is the best time of the year to travel Space A?

ANSWER: MCAS Kaneohe Bay is usually busy during major holidays and the 1st two weeks once local schools close for the summer.

QUESTION 24: Is it easier to go to some destinations?

ANSWER: Yes. Places where we fly often are much easier than low frequency areas. NAS North Island (San Diego) is our #1 destination.

QUESTION 25: Can people travel Space A to Alaska or South America?

ANSWER: Yes. Travelers may obtain Space A travel to Alaska, South America, and other interesting locations; i.e., Australia, New Zealand, Japan etc., pending foreign Customs Agriculture and Immigration requirement or port of entry restriction per Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG). Travel to Alaska is relatively easy when departing from the West Coast (Travis AFB, California, and McChord AFB, Washington). Travel to South America and other remote areas are much more difficult. Infrequent flights to remote areas are primarily cargo missions and have few seats available for passenger movement. Expect long waiting periods for movement.

QUESTION 26: I am retired and am traveling on a passport and my flight originated overseas. Where in the CONUS can I fly into?

ANSWER: When traveling on a passport, (family members, retired uniform service, reserve, etc.,) you may return to the CONUS only through authorized ports of entry where customs and immigration clearance is available. While you may depart the CONUS literally from any military airfield, reentry locations for passport holders are limited. Active duty passengers who do not require immigration clearance have more reentry options open.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii