JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
With the increase of commercial air fare to include bag fees and warm-weather prices, the free ride available to Department of Defense civilians, retirees, servicemembers and their dependents is a great opportunity to fly through the space available travel program.
At Joint Base Andrews, the team behind this program does their best to try to ensure that each and every member who signs up for the program gets the attention, and the trip, they deserve.
"Space-available travel is a privilege for military members for their service to their country," said 1st Lt. Jason Castleberry, 89th Aerial Port Squadron mission support flight commander. "Travel is made available to enhance the quality of life for members."
Though the process to sign up for Space-A travel may seem difficult, it's a simple route that takes both flexibility and preparation.
"The main thing is to be prepared," said Lieutenant Castleberry. "Plan your trip, be flexible, be patient."
The first step to traveling through the Space-A program is to sign up for a flight.
"Some terminals, such as the one at Joint Base Andrews, have a Web form you can fill out to register," said Lieutenant Castleberry. "You can also sign up in person, by e-mail or fax."
Signing up for a flight doesn't guarantee that a member gets on that flight, it secures them a spot on a roster for possible passengers on the flight.
"When you sign up, you go on 'the list' and you compete for flights based on your priority to fly within your category," said Lieutenant Castleberry. "When the Passenger Terminal receives your signup request, they assign you a date and time you may be flying based on when your signup information was received. Your time determines your position and priority within each Space-A category."
The next step in the Space-A travel process is to simply show up for the flight that was signed up for.
"The next step is to be physically present at the terminal, for the departure time of the particular flight you'd like to be on travel-ready with all luggage, dependents and proper paperwork in hand and car parked," said Lieutenant Castleberry. "If you make the cut at the flight roll call, you'll be manifested and on your way."
For easier traveling, try to travel during off-peak periods, double check your flight sign up information, keep a copy of your signup information with you, keep supplies you'll need with you as well, such as medical supplies and those for young children, and be flexible with which base you decide to fly into.
"Space-A is just that - space that is available after all mission requirements are fulfilled," said Lieutenant Castleberry. "Military aircraft are subject at all times, first and foremost, to Department of Defense mission response."
For more information and to sign up, visit www.andrews.af.mil/units/89aw/spacea/spaceasign-up.asp