Awesome!!! welcome to the CatVI club!! Anything else i can do that would be helpful for you regarding space a just let me know. also… if you are interested in telling the world your retirement story dont hesitate to hit me up (there is a button in the site to sign up to be an interviewee)
Congrats on 22 years of service!! Just get online and send that request so you can start the 60 day clock. Where are you going to first?? If you need a quick reference for the terminals militaryretirementpodcast.com/spacea and if you need any other help with it or have questions feel free to drop them here! 🫡🫡 -john
My destination is Guam. I’m from Florida so I will be trying to get to either Washington or Travis. Do I need to fill out one once I get to Washington or Travis to get to Guam?
If you just set your final destination as Guam you should be covered for the terminals in between. Make sure to list those terminals you anticipate traveling through. When i go back and forth to Italy i normally write down BWI, Norfolk, McGuire, Dover, UK, Germany, Italy, spain, portugal. just to cover my bases.but that is just me being me. And make sure you print off a copy of the request and carry with you.
@@militaryretirementpodcast really appreciate that! It was a little confusing because the form says to list what countries destinations you’re trying to go to IE Japan Italy, USA etc. My final destination is Thailand or Philippines, but I know there is no flights for space a travelers at those destinations.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for your support, it means a the world to us and keeps us on track. If there is anything specifically you might need or would like to see us discuss let us know!! we are listening
Also, re-reading your question… Your desired Conus locations should try to align with destinations that are available from where you are flying. or stringing together a couple places in order to get to the final place you want to go to. Just write them in the boxes. John
@@militaryretirementpodcastthanks John, so when I show up to the Pax terminal (CONUS) and the Space A portal shows I want to fly to the USA, how do they know if I want to fly to Travis, Norfolk, or Patrick?
@tedbates1316 in that case you can put the locations of Travis, Norfolk etc. in just did an updated video this week that goes into a little more detail here th-cam.com/video/5x8YoY0Uzrg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=d7w5yR1rKwiUPoYT
Also we just finished our weekly livestream but if you need something quickly or want to chat about it on the live feel free to tune in and drop comments there. Every sunday 11am EST
Thank you this is much needed! I would love to do it! I travel to the Philippines a lot! I heard you mention the site but very quickly could you provide the link! Last time I was in the Philippines I traveled to Stewart Airforce base to inquire about Space A an I was told that Space A flights are no longer available for Philippines!
if you are talking about my quick reference it is here: militaryretirementpodcast.com/spacea If you are referring to the actual spacea site it is here: www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Space-Available-Travel-Page/
I am spouse to an army officer, and I have my DEERS ID, I was informed I can use Space A, but from the look of things, it seems its for the actual service men... can you elaborate on how spouses can benefit from this?
You and your husband are active duty (Cat III)? If I knew your status it would be easier to answer. Generally. Cat III spouse can accompany their service member on house hunting TDY, accompany on regular leave status. if their service member is deployed for 365 days or more then and only then can the dependents travel on their own. These are the AMC rules top down. but let me know if this is what you are looking for. - John
Round trip, no. Depending on your status (im retired so i will speak from my perspective first) i sign up today. From today i will be on the waiting list for up to 60 days. Which means the longer i am on the waiting list the higher i am (within my category) on the priority to get a seat should there be seats available still for my category. so sign up, maybe i wait 2 weeks before trying to catch my hop out. thats 14 days essentially. I get a hop out to where i want to go. I stay at that destination for 3 weeks (another 21 days or 35 total days). Then i attempt to hop back. Usually, not always there will be direct flights back to where i hopped from. If i can get on a flight before the 60 days is up for the waiting list i should theoretically be top of the pile priority (in my category) . Some places dont hop directly back. Sometimes if you are going to stay beyond the 60 day window its good to immediately re-sign up again once you land to restart the clock. Im available anytime if you would rather jump on a call and chat about it. Would love to have the conversation with you (and record it if you are up for it). That way everyone benefits from it. just let me know. - John (ps my email is in the page info here on youtube or just find @chiefmcconnell anywhere online to reach out)
The explanation is well needed, thank you. Currently I am getting a notification that online applications are not working. What do I do at this point? Where do I sent a copy of the application?
Then there is an email address you can also use. If you go to the retire.army site in the top left there is a small button with an airplane on it. not sure if there terminal you are looking for is there but i have the emails (if available) listed for each terminal
I AM SSG LARRY HOUT, IAM A CLASS VI VA 100 % RETIRED, I AM TRYING TO PLAN A TRIP TO ITALY NAS SIGONELL NAVY AIR BASE. I LIVE IN EL PASO, TEXAS FORT BLISS BIGGS AIRFIELD, HOWEVER, THEY DON'T DO HOPS. WHAT WOULD BE THE CLOSES AIRFIELD TO APPLY TO?
Great question. Just to clarify you are 100% retired (20+ years AFS) or just 100% disabled retired medically? When scheduling if you have a retired ID card please just tell them you are retired cat VI and not 100% disabled. Otherwise they may misinterpret and not sign you up. Be sure to check the regulation so that you are fully eligible. As far as the travel spot you can do a couple ways. Norfolk is usually the easiest and the normally do a rotator once or twice a week alternating between Sogonella and Naples. BWI (or a couple others) can bring you to Ramstein and then you can commercial down to Sicily on train or plane. I actually have a video on my personal youtube of my trip by train to and from Sicily / Germany. If you have more questions feel free to ask. and if you need quick reference info for the terminals -> militaryretirementpodcast/spacea
THANKS FOR THAT INFORMATION, HOW I AM TRYING TO FIND A HOP FROM AN AIR BASE CLOSE TO EL PASO TEXAS TO DOVER TO ITALY, IS THERE A BASE AROUND ELPASO, I WAS TOLD SAN ANTONIO RANDOLPH OR LACKLAND AIR BASE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND A AIR BASE CLOSER AS SAN ANTONIO IS ABOUT 650 FROM EL PASO.@@militaryretirementpodcast
Morning. The only way you can use Space A as a 4 year Veteran is if you are 100% disabled, and that would limit you to US locations and territories only, nothing outside of the US locations. With 4 years you dont have any “status” as you would if you were Retired, Medically Retired, or 100% disabled. Hope that makes sense. john
Thank you!! where are you looking to go? Im not a travel agent but ive been all over the US and to the majority of European stops. maybe I can help find the path.
Thank you for your service!! Out of NC i would go to Pope and get flights from there. SC Charleston is not too far away. From those two places you can get off planet USA and get overseas. If you are up for the hike, Norfolk VA is a good place to fly out of. The thing about Space A that I think most people dont think about is, its not just USAF but also Air National Guard and Navy that fly. And sometimes if you can link up with some Army Warrant Officers you can sneak on some Army transports (Private jets)
I signed up by email, for one base and got a transcom email saying I am signed up, does that mean I don't have to sign up at other bases en route to final destination?
Is that one base you signed up for your final destination? I usually try to sign up for all the possible bases i anticipate as possible points along the way personally. You can always go on the amc site and sign up through their form. it gives you a few options for destinations. Feel free to elaborate or ask anything else. I will be hopefully doing a hop soon from Italy back to the states and try to record as much as i can on the way. Probably time for me to do some updated videos either way. John
@@militaryretirementpodcast thanks, no I did some others. It just seemed odd the email from transcom saying I was signed up, not from a single installation, that's why I was asking. Be nice you sign up for one and on the list for all. Just saying.
@EasternAmerica Yep totally agree. Ive been doing the multi email thing for years and years. I used to just send one email and tag all of the PAX terminals in the to: line. The online form now seems to me to be super simple. The only hickup i could see is some super small NGB base but even then, if they see you have one signup email it should suffice. Just be nice when you approach the counter 😅. Safe travels and let us know how it went!! John
Does my family need a passport traveling to another state for this ? Edit: Meant for the part where we put passport type for dependents , would it be “none”?
Traveling to another state in the united states? no. Traveling outside of us borders to a foreign country, yes, and depending where you want to go overseas you might also need a country clearance(ie Spain) John
@@militaryretirementpodcastthanks John ! Trying to register for a Hawaii flight with my family but our passports got stolen not too long ago .I know it was a knuckle head question. What about for children under 10, I have a 3 year old , what docs would he need if you have the time to answer
Always have time to try to answer. As far as Hawaii is concerned, yes it is technically overseas, but it is a US state so the is no requirement for a passport to travel to Hawaii. For the kiddos im not 100% sure. If they are id card age then take their military id. For the little one i would keep a copy of the birth certificate on hand just in case (and keep is somewhere safe so you dont loose it. Does that make sense? No knucklehead questions. let me know if you need anything else. im on TH-cam CQ duty right now hahah 😂😂
@@militaryretirementpodcastthank you! I think we’re leave my son with the my parents , since me and my wife would have to drive to San Diego tonight to make the flight so we can’t take a chance on not being able to take him without certain documents since haha , gonna register right now . Thank you!
Also, just call the passenger terminal in SD before you leave. They can fill you in on any last minute details, always the absolute best idea to do that if you are really unsure about things!!! safe travels and let us know how it went when you get a chance!!! John 🫡
thanks for this video. I just retired and the space A system is such a mystery to me.
Awesome!!! welcome to the CatVI club!! Anything else i can do that would be helpful for you regarding space a just let me know. also… if you are interested in telling the world your retirement story dont hesitate to hit me up (there is a button in the site to sign up to be an interviewee)
I AM A RETIRED MILITARY VET ARMY 22YEARS & I WANT TO START TAKING THESE SPACE A & START BACK TRAVELING & SEEING THE WORLD
Congrats on 22 years of service!! Just get online and send that request so you can start the 60 day clock. Where are you going to first?? If you need a quick reference for the terminals militaryretirementpodcast.com/spacea
and if you need any other help with it or have questions feel free to drop them here! 🫡🫡
-john
Cheers from RAF Lakenheath, UK! 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Cheers Mate, from Sigonella! Thanks for stopping by! 🫡
Thank you going on our first trip next week
Awesome!! where you headed to?? dont forget to load up the page on your phone so you have it readily available militaryretirementpodcast.com/spacea
My destination is Guam. I’m from Florida so I will be trying to get to either Washington or Travis. Do I need to fill out one once I get to Washington or Travis to get to Guam?
If you just set your final destination as Guam you should be covered for the terminals in between. Make sure to list those terminals you anticipate traveling through. When i go back and forth to Italy i normally write down BWI, Norfolk, McGuire, Dover, UK, Germany, Italy, spain, portugal. just to cover my bases.but that is just me being me. And make sure you print off a copy of the request and carry with you.
@@militaryretirementpodcast really appreciate that! It was a little confusing because the form says to list what countries destinations you’re trying to go to IE Japan Italy, USA etc. My final destination is Thailand or Philippines, but I know there is no flights for space a travelers at those destinations.
Figuring out Space A to guam 🫡 thanks @22jaydogg
Great info...love your website!
Thanks so much Steve! I appreciate you checking out the show and the site! have a blessed Sunday!
Great info just what I needed
Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for your support, it means a the world to us and keeps us on track. If there is anything specifically you might need or would like to see us discuss let us know!! we are listening
Thank you nice video
thank you for watching! appreciate you!
yea! finally a vid about it!
Should I make more like this?
Great information. Thank you, brother.
Thank you for supporting the channel and spending your time with us. Anything else I can provide you with as far as information let me know!!
Can you specify your desired CONUS location you want to fly to?
Usually i am flying into Baltimore BWI. As far as the request form you just put in USA… You can certainly put a specific location if you want.
John
Also, re-reading your question… Your desired Conus locations should try to align with destinations that are available from where you are flying. or stringing together a couple places in order to get to the final place you want to go to. Just write them in the boxes.
John
@@militaryretirementpodcastthanks John, so when I show up to the Pax terminal (CONUS) and the Space A portal shows I want to fly to the USA, how do they know if I want to fly to Travis, Norfolk, or Patrick?
@tedbates1316 in that case you can put the locations of Travis, Norfolk etc. in just did an updated video this week that goes into a little more detail here th-cam.com/video/5x8YoY0Uzrg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=d7w5yR1rKwiUPoYT
Also we just finished our weekly livestream but if you need something quickly or want to chat about it on the live feel free to tune in and drop comments there. Every sunday 11am EST
Thank you this is much needed! I would love to do it! I travel to the Philippines a lot! I heard you mention the site but very quickly could you provide the link! Last time I was in the Philippines I traveled to Stewart Airforce base to inquire about Space A an I was told that Space A flights are no longer available for Philippines!
if you are talking about my quick reference it is here: militaryretirementpodcast.com/spacea
If you are referring to the actual spacea site it is here: www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Space-Available-Travel-Page/
if you need anything else or if there is some sort of video I can make to help please let me know! 🫶🏼 Hope you get back to the Philippines soon 🇵🇭
I am spouse to an army officer, and I have my DEERS ID, I was informed I can use Space A, but from the look of things, it seems its for the actual service men... can you elaborate on how spouses can benefit from this?
You and your husband are active duty (Cat III)? If I knew your status it would be easier to answer.
Generally. Cat III spouse can accompany their service member on house hunting TDY, accompany on regular leave status. if their service member is deployed for 365 days or more then and only then can the dependents travel on their own. These are the AMC rules top down. but let me know if this is what you are looking for.
- John
So can these trips be planned out round trip or how would you go about getting a flight back home?
Round trip, no. Depending on your status (im retired so i will speak from my perspective first) i sign up today. From today i will be on the waiting list for up to 60 days. Which means the longer i am on the waiting list the higher i am (within my category) on the priority to get a seat should there be seats available still for my category. so sign up, maybe i wait 2 weeks before trying to catch my hop out. thats 14 days essentially. I get a hop out to where i want to go. I stay at that destination for 3 weeks (another 21 days or 35 total days). Then i attempt to hop back. Usually, not always there will be direct flights back to where i hopped from. If i can get on a flight before the 60 days is up for the waiting list i should theoretically be top of the pile priority (in my category) . Some places dont hop directly back. Sometimes if you are going to stay beyond the 60 day window its good to immediately re-sign up again once you land to restart the clock. Im available anytime if you would rather jump on a call and chat about it. Would love to have the conversation with you (and record it if you are up for it). That way everyone benefits from it. just let me know.
- John (ps my email is in the page info here on youtube or just find @chiefmcconnell anywhere online to reach out)
The explanation is well needed, thank you. Currently I am getting a notification that online applications are not working. What do I do at this point? Where do I sent a copy of the application?
Then there is an email address you can also use. If you go to the retire.army site in the top left there is a small button with an airplane on it. not sure if there terminal
you are looking for is there but i have the emails (if available) listed for each terminal
if you have any further questions feel free to just send me an email
Nothing worked. Thanks anyway.
Which place are you trying to contact?
I AM SSG LARRY HOUT, IAM A CLASS VI VA 100 % RETIRED, I AM TRYING TO PLAN A TRIP TO ITALY NAS SIGONELL NAVY AIR BASE. I LIVE IN EL PASO, TEXAS FORT BLISS BIGGS AIRFIELD, HOWEVER, THEY DON'T DO HOPS. WHAT WOULD BE THE CLOSES AIRFIELD TO APPLY TO?
Great question. Just to clarify you are 100% retired (20+ years AFS) or just 100% disabled retired medically? When scheduling if you have a retired ID card please just tell them you are retired cat VI and not 100% disabled. Otherwise they may misinterpret and not sign you up. Be sure to check the regulation so that you are fully eligible.
As far as the travel spot you can do a couple ways. Norfolk is usually the easiest and the normally do a rotator once or twice a week alternating between Sogonella and Naples. BWI (or a couple others) can bring you to Ramstein and then you can commercial down to Sicily on train or plane. I actually have a video on my personal youtube of my trip by train to and from Sicily / Germany.
If you have more questions feel free to ask. and if you need quick reference info for the terminals -> militaryretirementpodcast/spacea
Answering a Comment from Lary about CAT VI Space A to Sigonella 🫶🏼✈️
THANKS FOR THAT INFORMATION, HOW I AM TRYING TO FIND A HOP FROM AN AIR BASE CLOSE TO EL PASO TEXAS TO DOVER TO ITALY, IS THERE A BASE AROUND ELPASO, I WAS TOLD SAN ANTONIO RANDOLPH OR LACKLAND AIR BASE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND A AIR BASE CLOSER AS SAN ANTONIO IS ABOUT 650 FROM EL PASO.@@militaryretirementpodcast
military medical retirement can travel space a oconus?
only to us territories ie guam, ak, hi, pr
so im a veteran of 4 years. Could i still get on space a flights to travel somewhere for free?
Morning. The only way you can use Space A as a 4 year Veteran is if you are 100% disabled, and that would limit you to US locations and territories only, nothing outside of the US locations. With 4 years you dont have any “status” as you would if you were Retired, Medically Retired, or 100% disabled. Hope that makes sense.
john
Really good info, too bad it doesn't go anywhere close to where I'd be looking to go.
Thank you!! where are you looking to go? Im not a travel agent but ive been all over the US and to the majority of European stops. maybe I can help find the path.
@@militaryretirementpodcast Currently not in situation where travel is an option, but leaving from NC. Army, '86-'99, Space-A cat 6.
Thank you for your service!! Out of NC i would go to Pope and get flights from there. SC Charleston is not too far away. From those two places you can get off planet USA and get overseas. If you are up for the hike, Norfolk VA is a good place to fly out of. The thing about Space A that I think most people dont think about is, its not just USAF but also Air National Guard and Navy that fly. And sometimes if you can link up with some Army Warrant Officers you can sneak on some Army transports (Private jets)
and remember you can sign up 60 days prior unlike Cat III who have to sign up once they are actually on leave.
I signed up by email, for one base and got a transcom email saying I am signed up, does that mean I don't have to sign up at other bases en route to final destination?
Is that one base you signed up for your final destination? I usually try to sign up for all the possible bases i anticipate as possible points along the way personally. You can always go on the amc site and sign up through their form. it gives you a few options for destinations. Feel free to elaborate or ask anything else. I will be hopefully doing a hop soon from Italy back to the states and try to record as much as i can on the way. Probably time for me to do some updated videos either way.
John
@@militaryretirementpodcast thanks, no I did some others. It just seemed odd the email from transcom saying I was signed up, not from a single installation, that's why I was asking. Be nice you sign up for one and on the list for all. Just saying.
@EasternAmerica Yep totally agree. Ive been doing the multi email thing for years and years. I used to just send one email and tag all of the PAX terminals in the to: line. The online form now seems to me to be super simple. The only hickup i could see is some super small NGB base but even then, if they see you have one signup email it should suffice. Just be nice when you approach the counter 😅. Safe travels and let us know how it went!!
John
@@militaryretirementpodcast that's a big help, thanks a bunch 😎👍💯🇺🇲
Does my family need a passport traveling to another state for this ? Edit: Meant for the part where we put passport type for dependents , would it be “none”?
Traveling to another state in the united states? no. Traveling outside of us borders to a foreign country, yes, and depending where you want to go overseas you might also need a country clearance(ie Spain)
John
@@militaryretirementpodcastthanks John ! Trying to register for a Hawaii flight with my family but our passports got stolen not too long ago .I know it was a knuckle head question. What about for children under 10, I have a 3 year old , what docs would he need if you have the time to answer
Always have time to try to answer. As far as Hawaii is concerned, yes it is technically overseas, but it is a US state so the is no requirement for a passport to travel to Hawaii. For the kiddos im not 100% sure. If they are id card age then take their military id. For the little one i would keep a copy of the birth certificate on hand just in case (and keep is somewhere safe so you dont loose it. Does that make sense? No knucklehead questions. let me know if you need anything else. im on TH-cam CQ duty right now hahah 😂😂
@@militaryretirementpodcastthank you! I think we’re leave my son with the my parents , since me and my wife would have to drive to San Diego tonight to make the flight so we can’t take a chance on not being able to take him without certain documents since haha , gonna register right now . Thank you!
Also, just call the passenger terminal in SD before you leave. They can fill you in on any last minute details, always the absolute best idea to do that if you are really unsure about things!!! safe travels and let us know how it went when you get a chance!!!
John 🫡