Space-A travel opens doors to the world

  • Published
  • By Air Force 1st Lt Bernard Patenaude
  • 732nd AMS
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Space-Available or "Space-A" travel is a privilege and a valued benefit which many eligible Department of Defense personnel never use.

The Space-A travel program allows military personnel from all branches of service, their families and eligible civilians within the Department of Defense to fly Space-A on DoD-owned or contracted aircraft provided there is no impediment to mission requirements and the aircraft is not fully loaded with cargo or booked with passengers traveling under orders.

The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson community has members that fit all of the categories listed above.

The prospect of flying from one destination to another for free motivates many Space-A travelers. There are, however, strict guidelines when flying Space-A.

Active-duty military members may only take advantage of this benefit while on leave or pass status for the duration of their trip. A member cannot use the program in conjunction with service-required travel and Space-A travel cannot be used for financial gain or in connection with private business initiatives or employment.

The process to travel on Space-A flights is different from booking a seat on a commercial airline and flying out of a local or international airport.

Before flying Space-A, individuals must sign up or register for travel by email, fax, regular snail mail, or in person up to 60 days before desired travel.

Active duty military do not need to be on leave status to sign up or register, but must be on leave status while traveling Space-A.

Once signed up, the person is placed on the Space-A backlog.

Category of travel coupled with sign-up date determines the traveler's placement on the Space-A backlog.

The category of travel is based on current status (emergency leave, environmental morale leave, ordinary leave, house-hunting, unaccompanied environmental leave, unaccompanied dependent travel, permissive temporary duty, retired, Reserves, National Guard, etc.) and authorizes the priority of movement for that person or group.
On the day of desired travel and if seats are available, then the AMC passenger service agent will conduct a roll call, select personnel to travel based on the Space-A backlog, and issue a boarding pass.

Finally, passengers and baggage will process through security and board the plane.
While this process is different from the commercial experience, passenger service agents here at JBER and throughout the Air Mobility Command system are dedicated professionals, committed to providing you with the best possible service. These agents are the best avenues for answers to questions and concerns.

This travel is an outstanding benefit, and travelers' frustrations can be reduced if they are mindful of the fact that Space-A travel is based on mission requirements and the availability of seats.

It is not uncommon for travelers to wait patiently for a Space-A flight and to be removed due to mission requirements. In short, there are no guaranteed seats for Space-A travelers.

If you would like to learn more or have questions concerning Space-A travel, feel free to visit the AMC Passenger Service Terminal, located in Building 10364 on the Elmendorf side of the base.

The terminal is open between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m. Personnel can park in the short-term parking lot, walk in and talk to one of the passenger service agents at the counter.
The passenger service terminal can also be contacted at 552-3781.

Flight information can be found on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Passenger Terminal Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Joint-Base-Elmendorf-Richardson-Passenger-Terminal/204965679537720 or travelers can call 552-4616 for a 72-hour forecast of potential flights.