Space-A flights & reservists: learn basics to avoid frustration

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The ability to fly to destinations all over the country for little or no cost is a significant benefit for Air Force reservists.

Though space-available travel on military aircraft is a significant benefit, it can be frustrating for those reservists who try to use it without knowing how it works.

Space-A travel is not guaranteed. Duty passengers and cargo will be accommodated before seats are made available to space-A travelers.

"It's all about the mission," said Staff Sgt. Adeline Belardo, a traditional reservist who serves as an air transportation specialist with the 88th Aerial Port Squadron. "The mission has to come first."

Though the mission comes first, reservists do not necessarily come second when it comes to space A.

Once seats on a flight are made available for space-A travel, they are assigned in order based on categories and registration time. Traditional reservists who are not on active orders fall into category six - the category with the lowest priority - along with retirees and their dependents. Despite being assigned to a low-priority category, reservists can still take advantage of space-A if they are patient and learn how to set themselves up for space-A success.

Reservists should request a Department of Defense Form 1853, Authentication of Reserve Status for Travel Eligibility, from their unit commander as soon as possible if they expect to fly space-A within 60 days. Once the reservist has this form, they are encouraged to register with the space-A system by sending the form by fax, e-mail, or regular mail to the passenger terminal they plan to use. Since space-A seats are awarded on a first-come basis within each category, registering before other travelers in the same category can mean a reservist gets a seat instead of waiting around the terminal for several more hours (or days!).

Travelers who are operating on a strict timeframe and are unwilling to experience significant delays should probably not consider space-A travel.

"If you don't have patience, don't fly space-A," said Mark Jones, an air transportation specialist from the 305th Aerial Port Squadron.

The time of year is an important factor when attempting to travel by space A. Since an active-duty servicemember can walk into a terminal at the last minute with a family of four and bump a group of reservists from potential space-A seats, it is essential that reservists avoid times when family vacations are more likely (once someone is officially selected for a flight, they cannot be bumped by another space-A traveler).

"Don't travel when school is out and don't travel during major holidays," said Mr. Jones.

To increase their chances of getting to their destination, reservists might have to get creative with the space-A travel system. Though a particular terminal might not offer many flights to the destination, it might offer flights to another terminal, which offers more flights to the destination.

For example, take a space-A traveler who is trying to reach Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. If the closest passenger terminal only offers flights there once per week, then the traveler should also register to fly space-A at another base - such as McChord or Travis - which offers more frequent flights to Elmendorf.

"That's where the term 'hop' came from," Mr. Jones said. "Because you're going to hop all over the map."

Airmen can learn about upcoming space-A opportunities by calling the passenger terminal at their departure location. Flight information for the upcoming 72 hours is usually available. Flexibility is important because flight schedules frequently change from their original time, Mr. Jones said.

Other key points for Reservists flying space-A:

- Reserve and National Guard members may only fly within the United States and its territories unless they are on active orders.

- Family members of Reserve or National Guard members are not authorized to fly unless the member is serving on active orders of 120 days or greater. Family members must fly with their sponsor unless the member is deployed and the family members hold a command sponsor letter.

- Space-A travelers may check two pieces of luggage that do not exceed 70 pounds and 62 linear inches each. One carry-on that fits under a seat is authorized per passenger.

- Travelers should wear conservative civilian attire. Open-toed shoes and heels are prohibited.

- Gray-area retirees who are waiting to receive non-regular retirement pay when they turn 60 must adhere to the same space-A rules that apply to reservists who are not on active orders.

- Upon reaching age 60, Reserve retirees gain the full space-A benefits of active-duty military retirees, meaning they are able to fly overseas with I.D. card-holding dependents.


Editor's Note: Travelers expecting to use space-A benefits should call the passenger terminal at their departure location. The passenger terminal at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst can be reached at 609-754-5023.