Off to LDAC

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leapyear

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Oct 15, 2010
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Just dropped DS off at airport enroute to LDAC. Airline made him pay $60 baggage fee for his duffel bags - said the military waiver did not apply because he "only" has a Reserve ID. Showed them his orders, but it made no difference. Make sure your cadets are prepared to pay the fee at check-in...
 
He should have kept a copy of the receipt. The Army will reimburse him when he gets back to his school and completes his travel voucher.
 
leapyear said:
Just dropped DS off at airport enroute to LDAC. Airline made him pay $60 baggage fee for his duffel bags - said the military waiver did not apply because he "only" has a Reserve ID. Showed them his orders, but it made no difference. Make sure your cadets are prepared to pay the fee at check-in...
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Airlines have been trying to squeeze passengers for more profit. But the last few times I checked, they were not charging for ROTC cadets travelling on orders. Sometimes you have to ask for a supervisor to straighten things out, though that doesn't come easy to college students.

Best wishes for your cadets at LDAC. Two tips for parents if and when you send a care package: (1) send a lot - they'll be sharing with their squad if not the whole platoon. Small bags of skittles/chocolates were a hit. So was a quantity of baby wipes that arrived in time for their field exercise; (2) Use the USPS boxes to send stuff instead of random boxes around the house - shipping is a lot cheaper.
 
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I would pay the baggage fee with a credit card then send a copy of the receipt and copy of the orders to the airlines customer service dept.. I would bet the will reverse the charges.
 
EDelahanty said:
Airlines have been trying to squeeze passengers for more profit. But the last few times I checked, they were not charging for ROTC cadets travelling on orders. Sometimes you have to ask for a supervisor to straighten things out, though that doesn't come easy to college students.
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This is my experience too. I have first hand experience with United and Delta. I would bet the other airlines will also waive the bag fees also - just don't have firsthand knowledge.

I do think that anyone running into this should appeal to a Airline supervisor. The other option, as mbitr noted, was to file for the fee in your final travel voucher. Also agree with sheriff3 that the Airlines customer service would probably reverse charges also.

Good luck to all!
 
Thanks for the heads up. DS leaves tomorrow for CULP. I'll pass on the info!!

I hope everyone has a safe trip:shake:
 
leapyear said:
Just dropped DS off at airport enroute to LDAC. Airline made him pay $60 baggage fee for his duffel bags - said the military waiver did not apply because he "only" has a Reserve ID. Showed them his orders, but it made no difference. Make sure your cadets are prepared to pay the fee at check-in...
Click to expand...

This happens a lot at the Northeastern Airports. DS is never charged when traveling from the South or West. As mentioned keep your receipts.

Best Wishes to all!
 
DD is AD AF and DS AROTC, the closest "big" airport for us is Colorado Springs. Anytime they have flown from COS the baggage fee has been waived. I believe this is do to the proximity to AFA, Ft. Carson, and Peterson Field and the shear volume of military folks coming through. Even when DD was home before moving to Lakenheath, American waived all baggage fees when she was traveling back to Eglin.
 
leapyear said:
Just dropped DS off at airport enroute to LDAC. Airline made him pay $60 baggage fee for his duffel bags - said the military waiver did not apply because he "only" has a Reserve ID. Showed them his orders, but it made no difference. Make sure your cadets are prepared to pay the fee at check-in...
Click to expand...

Definitely demand to speak to a supervisor next time. Tell them that the "only a Reserve ID" line can go pound sand, they can read the first line of the orders, "You are ordered to Active Duty for Training (ADT)." Just like the others said, keep the receipt and get it reimbursed.

Good luck to him. LDAC will be a great learning experience.
 
NorwichDad said:
This happens a lot at the Northeastern Airports. DS is never charged when traveling from the South or West. As mentioned keep your receipts.

Best Wishes to all!
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That's interesting because DS never has trouble in Newark, but always has issues in Atlanta.
 
Odd, I remember in self check in it definitely stated that if you were on orders you had like up to 80 pounds free or something .
 
Overweight bag

DS just had an overweight bag fee waived by Southwest about two hours ago...at a northeast airport.
 
DS left yesterday too for LDAC. His flight wasn't paid for by AROTC/Army and even after calling "emergency" transportation number no resolution in time for the flight. He called his MSIII instuctor who is on the ground at Knox - told him to drive it in....but, no base parking so he needs to find a ride. Mom and Dad to the rescue:rolleyes: Such is his experience with orders and Army travel. He did discover that his CTLT flights are also all in a tangle, but that's a month away and MSIII instructor is taking care of it while he's training.

Good luck to all the cadets who are 1st & 2nd Reg and all those coming later.
 
Well DS just texted us an emergency phone number and his mailing address, and said they are taking their cell phones away now. I guess we are now on info blackout except for the Facebook page and Instagram (cause he sure ain't gonna write...) Good luck to everyone's cadet!
 
EDelahanty said:
Airlines have been trying to squeeze passengers for more profit. But the last few times I checked, they were not charging for ROTC cadets travelling on orders. Sometimes you have to ask for a supervisor to straighten things out, though that doesn't come easy to college students.

Best wishes for your cadets at LDAC. Two tips for parents if and when you send a care package: (1) send a lot - they'll be sharing with their squad if not the whole platoon. Small bags of skittles/chocolates were a hit. So was a quantity of baby wipes that arrived in time for their field exercise; (2) Use the USPS boxes to send stuff instead of random boxes around the house - shipping is a lot cheaper.
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Does anyone know if there is a list of acceptable items to send? Would love to send something - just don't want to send items that are not allowed.

Thanks!
 
DS left yesterday for Fort Knox on American Airlines. He had two bags to check in and both were waived. Totally Awesome!
 
Ohio2015Parent said:
DS left yesterday too for LDAC. His flight wasn't paid for by AROTC/Army and even after calling "emergency" transportation number no resolution in time for the flight. He called his MSIII instuctor who is on the ground at Knox - told him to drive it in....but, no base parking so he needs to find a ride. Mom and Dad to the rescue:rolleyes: Such is his experience with orders and Army travel. He did discover that his CTLT flights are also all in a tangle, but that's a month away and MSIII instructor is taking care of it while he's training.

Good luck to all the cadets who are 1st & 2nd Reg and all those coming later.
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So you had to drive him there from Ohio at the last minute?
 
Ohio2015Parent said:
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Does anyone know if there is a list of acceptable items to send? Would love to send something - just don't want to send items that are not allowed.

Thanks!
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Don't think I ever saw a list, but pretty much anything can be sent unless it is prohibited already (tobacco, phones, etc.). All snacks my platoon got had to be shared with the entire platoon and eaten immediately, so nothing that can't be consumed quickly. We loved getting snacks and candy so feel free to be very generous in that department, it will raise spirits a lot.
 
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