By Shiromi Nassreen
Catching a military hop can be tricky and sometimes nerve-wracking. Assuming you're able to find an available flight going to your destination, you could still end up showing up with your bags fully packed, ready to go, only to find that you didn't get one of the available seats on the flight. It requires great flexibility to fly a hop. Even if you make it to your destination, you could find yourself having to pay for a ticket back because you couldn't get a hop home. However, the potential for savings is there, particularly if you are flying to somewhere like Australia. You just need to have a sense of adventure.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You'll Need:
- Military or Dependent ID card
Copy of Approved Leave Form
- Military or Dependent ID card
- Copy of Approved Leave Form
Step 1
Determine your eligibility. If you are in the military or are retired military you are eligible to sign up for a Space-A flight. However, eligibility is not as simple as that. For instance, the spouse of a military member may only fly unaccompanied in certain situations. The Air Mobility Command website has information regarding eligibility.
Step 2
Sign up. To fly Space-A you will need to fill out a sign up form. Some terminals will have sign up forms on the web. Otherwise you will have to sign up either in person, by fax or by email. The sign up sheet is not a reservation for a flight. It simply puts you on a list allowing you to compete for seats on a flight. You will be categorized by priority with emergency travel being highest priority and retired military and family being lowest priority. If you're able to, it's better to sign up 60 days in advance as it will give you a higher priority within your category. The sign up sheet will give you 5 choices of terminals for your destination.
Step 3
Check for flights to your destination. One of the hardest things about Space-A is finding flight information. You can call or go in person to the terminal and should be able to get information on flights leaving within the next 72 hours and how many seats are open. You may also consider visiting Dick Pepperd's Space-A website where members post up-to-date information for upcoming flights.
Step 4
Arrive early for show time, usually 2 hours prior to departure. At show time you will need to have your luggage with you. Check in with the service desk so you can get on the list.
Step 5
Listen for roll call. At show time, the service representative will do a roll call where you will get to find out if you got a seat on the flight.
Step 6
Check in for your flight. Assuming your name was called at roll call, you are now able to get a boarding pass and check your baggage in, just as you would with a civilian flight.
About the Author:
Shiromi Nassreen is a British writer. She holds a B.A. in theatre studies from Rose Bruford College of Speech & Drama and has been writing professionally for three years. She writes primarily travel and outdoor articles on Hawaii. Her articles have appeared in Dysfunkshion Magazine as well as Illusion Television and Matador Travel.
