Space-A Travel – Don’t Count On It
Aug 19 2009
Like so many aspects about a military career and lifestyle, Space-A travel benefits are what you make of them. I hear good (rarely) and not so good (mostly).
The military has, for the most part, the legal discretion to run the program as they see fit. So the Space-A travel program is primarily controlled by military policy. The program can flex as the mission allows.
The military runs the program according to mission requirements. Given the current age, use, and maintenance issues of the aircraft and the ongoing overseas commitment for the war efforts, Space-A is not a priority for the military. The Space-A program is limited and inconvenient for most travelers.
Most of the complaints we hear at MOAA have to do with eligibility and lack of customer friendly services for reservations and schedules. We don’t expect these non-customer friendly issues to change. We’ve tried with a few requests in the past and we are told it is what it is.
While some members may wish MOAA had the authority to demand military policy changes, we don’t. For some reason, the Services aren’t always keen on the idea of MOAA telling them how to do something—not to say we don’t ask “mother may I” sometimes.
When you use Space-A, it’s buyer beware. Have lots of time on your hands and have a flexible travel schedule.
Want to know the details? Check the official Space-A web site.
What a whiss of an article. Space A not working.
You’re screwed. Can that represent the real attitude of today’s Air Force/Navy? Beyond MOAA to ask for a fix. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. See you. Off to sensitivity training. Have a nice day, butt head.
My wife and I fly Space-A overseas and within CONUS every year. It is not a commercial airlines nor is it run like one, and it is true that it is not convenient (most of the time) for most travelers. Reservations? What reservations? You have to be very flexible with your schedule, but I have always known it to be that way. As for not friendly, I beg to differ. The only problem I have with Space-A is a lack of an overall SOP. All terminals seem to run without anyone in command, and they all run differently. Some are run efficiently and others lack trained personnel. We travelers deal with it because we realize we are excess baggage and not a priority. But I have always felt that if something was worth doing, it is worth doing right. Put someone in command of the overall Space-A program and establish a reasonable SOP that benefits all Space-A travelers (Active duty are not without their problems either), enforce the SOP, get some continuity and 90% of the complaints ought to stop. As for me, I ‘ll keep flying Space-A regardless of how it runs. I prefer riding in a cargo bay to being sandwiched in an airliner, the ability to lay down on long flights, the camaraderie of my fellow Space-A travelers, the new friends I make and I save money. I hope they never stop the program regardless of how inconvenient it may be at times. It gets me there eventually, and with some interesting interludes along the way.
The Space-A System.
My only complaint is that every time an additional category of passengers is authorized Space-A travel, it always seems to be at the expense of retirees’ priority for seats. There seems to be no association willing to protect the retirees’ benefit in that regard. I don’t ask that MOAA “demand” anything from the military. But surely some of the retired generals and admirals of the association could ask DoD that retirees’ Space-A benefit and priority not be degraded.
The response by Don Kundiger was great. I agree with what he said and I add:
Space-A let’s me meet courteous and helpful flight crews; young service men and women in the terminals working hard to perform their duties; and other people who have served. It’s all a real pleasure and I feel “at home” when I go through the Space-A experience.
I have taken advantage of Space A flights since retiring twelve ago. What a “great” benefit!
You miss flights, some are canceled, some drop off the schedule, but that’s part of the trip.
If you understand the program (regs) and follow it, problems are few.
You have to call the terminals and stay in touch with the (good) people working there. Coming back from Japan this summer, I didn’t get on four different planes (three days) coming to CONUS. On day four, I called early in the morning and there was a “MARINE charter flight” that with seats available. The plane was going to Beufort MCAS, SC.
From there we caught a “hop” to Andrews AFB from Charleston AFB. All this because we ASKED about flights/planes heading in the direction we wanted to go.
Space A is NOT something that’s owed to retirees. It is a benefit and one I appreciate. Some of my fellow travelers seem to think it’s “owed” to them (also lodging when they get stuck) while traveling.
I’ve met many new/great friends over the years and I’ll keep flying as long as it’s available. Right Col. Mark!!!!