severn
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2023
- Messages
- 1,018
... so just some anecdotes on a recent Space-Available travel.
Last time I did this was 29 years ago... back then anything goes... travel light, freeze at night. Now it's difficult climbing the aluminum ladder into the C-17 Globemaster Cargo Aircraft.
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During a dental appointment, 0900 hours, I was checking on available flights from Hickam AFB. Sure enough, there was a flight going to Dover AFB, with a stop in McChord AFB, departing 1300 hours. I'm going for it... before DS leaves for Spring break. Back in the day, the lunch box (water, coke, sandwich, chips, fruit, cookies, condiments) was $1.00, the seats were cargo straps; now, lunch is only $6.00 and the cargo seats were modified to include a life vest as a back padding. The cargo load did not change much because in the middle of the aircraft was a giant turbine, all tied up, rocking back and forth during flight... situation hairy.
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... 19 seats were available during the first leg, Hickam to McChord. Two couples showed up, for a total of 5 passengers. I found out that they are "professional"
Space-A travellers... from Hawaii to Rota to Naples to Sasebo. They dressed the part like glorified shelter-less folks. In McChord, the couples left for another destination. The new aircraft had 67 seats available for Dover. No one showed up for the flight to Dover. Only one passenger, me. Aircraft was empty except for the portable toilets.
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Arriving in Dover, it was freezing. And there's no Taxi, UBer, LYft allowed on the base. There's a nice USO in the terminal. The volunteer graciously offered a ride to the gate. I called LYft and got a ride to Annapolis for $135.00. So the entire trip costs $141.00.
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DS was fired up after hearing the story. I advised him not to take Space-A since leave is short and precious.
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Eye-opening moment. I checked the Space-A every now and then. 48 hours after arrival, there were three flights to Ramstein AFB, Germany; two flights to Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and one flight to Naples, Italy from Dover AFB and BWI Space-A terminal . On occasion, Andrews AFB has flights to Travis AFB, Gateway to the Pacific.
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Last time I did this was 29 years ago... back then anything goes... travel light, freeze at night. Now it's difficult climbing the aluminum ladder into the C-17 Globemaster Cargo Aircraft.
-----
During a dental appointment, 0900 hours, I was checking on available flights from Hickam AFB. Sure enough, there was a flight going to Dover AFB, with a stop in McChord AFB, departing 1300 hours. I'm going for it... before DS leaves for Spring break. Back in the day, the lunch box (water, coke, sandwich, chips, fruit, cookies, condiments) was $1.00, the seats were cargo straps; now, lunch is only $6.00 and the cargo seats were modified to include a life vest as a back padding. The cargo load did not change much because in the middle of the aircraft was a giant turbine, all tied up, rocking back and forth during flight... situation hairy.
-----
... 19 seats were available during the first leg, Hickam to McChord. Two couples showed up, for a total of 5 passengers. I found out that they are "professional"
Space-A travellers... from Hawaii to Rota to Naples to Sasebo. They dressed the part like glorified shelter-less folks. In McChord, the couples left for another destination. The new aircraft had 67 seats available for Dover. No one showed up for the flight to Dover. Only one passenger, me. Aircraft was empty except for the portable toilets.
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Arriving in Dover, it was freezing. And there's no Taxi, UBer, LYft allowed on the base. There's a nice USO in the terminal. The volunteer graciously offered a ride to the gate. I called LYft and got a ride to Annapolis for $135.00. So the entire trip costs $141.00.
-----
DS was fired up after hearing the story. I advised him not to take Space-A since leave is short and precious.
------
Eye-opening moment. I checked the Space-A every now and then. 48 hours after arrival, there were three flights to Ramstein AFB, Germany; two flights to Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and one flight to Naples, Italy from Dover AFB and BWI Space-A terminal . On occasion, Andrews AFB has flights to Travis AFB, Gateway to the Pacific.
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). He requested Pearl Harbor Summer Cruise and a follow on leave, total six weeks. Hickam AFB is a Space A galore with multiple flights daily to Kadena and Yokota AFB, Japan; Guam, Australia, and Wake Island. It's much safer to fly out from Hickam AFB, 99% safer.
image, hand drawn by a toddler.)