Delaware National
GuardDOD tests stateside space-A travel
By Tech. Sgt. Scott Leas, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- Defense transportation officials recently announced a one-year test to expand space-available travel privileges to family members traveling within the continental United States. The test will begin April 1 and continue through March 31 2004.
Dependents of active-duty and retired military people will soon be able to travel "Space A" aboard military flights when accompanied by their sponsors, according to John Lundeby from the Air Mobility Command passenger policy branch.
The only change is that family members can now fly on flights within the United States under the same eligibility category as their sponsor, he said.
Lundeby explained that in December 2000, the commander of U.S.
Transportation Command outlined the proposal as a way to improve quality-of-life benefits for military service people and their families. After review, Defense officials approved a one-year test.
"Current regulations prohibit dependents from flying space available within the CONUS," said Lundeby. "This privilege was available only to active-duty and retired military people. During the test period, dependents can accompany them." Retirees may sign up for this program 60 days in advance but not before the test officially begins April 1. To register for space-available travel, active-duty sponsors must be on leave or a pass and remain in the status while awaiting travel and through the entire travel period.
Additional Space-A travel and sign-up information is available through
AMC's public Web site at:
http://public.scott.af.mil/index.html. (Courtesy of AMC News Service)