helo_wifey
Well-Known Member
If a person were stationed overseas and brought his/her family with them, how easy is it to fly the family back to visit relatives? I've read that military can hitch rides in aircrafts on a space available basis. Does that cost anything? And how easy is it to catch one of those rides? Anyone have experiences similar to this sort of situation?
Being in Japan my husband has had only 2 real opportunities for taking leave since we've been here and that's at Christmas. He's been able to take a few days here or there for long weekends but he's either out or busy here at home and just can't get the time. That's something to think about.
It's easy to fly your family back to the States, there are travel agencies on/around base that offer deals for ID card holders. I've flow to FL twice from Tokyo, once for $500 and another for $800. There's always deals going around.
Space-A out here is really only good for dependents because most active duty in squadrons only get 2 weeks at holiday time (obviously this changes from squadron to squadron and there are also exceptions) which isn't enough time due to the ever changing nature of Space-A (as others have said).
The good news is dependents get 2 times a year that they can "upgrade" their category without the sponsor being present, called EML.
I've flown Space-A within Japan, but it's easy for me because I have no children and I only take 1 day pack for luggage. I've never missed a seat on a flight.
That Space-A website is good, another one is: Dirk Pepperd's Space-A Board
But I've probably given you waaay too much info now.