Air terminal allows Sailors, retirees to see the world with Space-A travel

''Space-A'' is short for ''space-available'' and describes travel on government-owned or contracted aircraft. Under the Space-A program, eligible passengers take advantage of any unused seats on Department of Defense (DoD) or contracted aircraft, once all of the duty passengers and cargo have been accommodated. With patience and flexibility, a passenger can travel the world in an inexpensive manner. Success with Space-A travel depends on flexibility and good timing. Since Space-A passengers travel only after all duty passengers and air cargo have been accommodated, there is no guarantee that a flight will have enough seats for every potential customer. Space-A passengers, therefore, should have sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of lodging and alternative transportation should seats not be available at any point in their itinerary. Remember, ''space-available'' travel is just that - space that is available only after all mission requirements are fulfilled. There is no guarantee!

Space-A passengers must register with the departure passenger terminal. Passenger's can sign-up at the NAS Jacksonville Air Terminal can be done by fax at 542-3257 or in-person from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Once the registration has been received at the respective terminal, the member is assigned a ''category of travel.'' Selection for travel is based on this assigned category as well as the date/time of the sign-up. Sign-up is valid for 60 days (for retirees), or for the duration of individual's orders, leave, or flight authorization (active duty and other eligible passengers), up to a maximum of 60 days.

Due to increased security after 9/11, NAS Jacksonville does not publish flight information via a Web site. Flight information is published 72 hours in advanced and can be accessed by calling 542-3956 or 542-3825. Flights can vary from NAS North Island, San Diego, Calif., Whidbey Island, Wash., Fort Worth, Texas and various other sites. Remember, just because there is a flight out of the area does not guarantee a flight back. Remember to be flexible. The only regularly scheduled flight every week is a Patriotic Express (civilian chartered) plane that travels to and from Norfolk, Va. and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba every Saturday and every other Tuesday.

To take advantage of this or any other Space A flight, passengers must arrive at the designated ''show time.'' This show time is generally two hours prior to the anticipated departure time and is subject to change. If a service member desires to fly to Norfolk via the Patriot Express, he or she should arrive no later than 3 p.m. For those passengers inquiring about flights to Europe, Norfolk serves as the major ''hub'' for the connecting flights. For information regarding flights from Norfolk, please call (757) 444-4148.

The following persons are eligible for Space-A travel:

-Members of the Uniformed Services and their family members.

-Foreign exchange service members on permanent duty with the DoD.

-Retired members of the Uniformed Services and their family members.

-Members of the Reserve Components.

-Civilian employees of the DoD stationed overseas and their families.

-American Red Cross personnel serving overseas with the U.S. military.

-DoD Dependent School (DoDDS) teachers and their family members.

The categories that determine the order of selection for Space A flights are:

Category one - Emergency leave

Category two - Environmental Morale Leave (EML)

Category three - Ordinary leave

Category four - Unaccompanied dependents on EML

Category five - Permissive Temporary Duty and students

Category six - Retirees (lowest priority for travel)

General. Space-A privileges cannot be used for personal gain or in connection with business enterprises or employment, to establish a home, to transport dependents to a duty station where the service member is (or will be) serving an unaccompanied tour, to transport dependents to a TDY duty station, or when international or theater restrictions prohibit such travel.

Disabled veterans are not eligible for space-available travel solely on the basis of their disability. However, disabled retirees are eligible, and that category includes people who have received disability retirements.

Military members on active duty must be in a leave or pass status to register for space-available travel, remain in a leave or pass status while awaiting travel, and be in a leave or pass status for the entire period of travel.

When afforded Space-A privileges, DoD civilians must be in a leave or non-duty (i.e., weekend or holiday) status to register for space-available travel. If in a non-duty status, leave must have been approved for the first normal working day following the non-duty period. A leave status must then be maintained while awaiting travel and for the entire period of travel.

Travelers with Disabilities. Persons with disabilities may travel Space-A but should be self-sufficient. The only persons permitted to accompany disabled passengers are their dependents (excluding CONUS flights), or other persons eligible for Space-A travel. Every effort will be made to transport passengers with disabilities who are otherwise eligible to travel.

A space-available ''roll call'' will be conducted two hours prior to departure.

Passengers who show up after the showtime will be accommodated only after all 'punctual' arrivals have been taken care of, regardless of their category, or date and time of sign up. Please be aware that flight schedules are subject to change. It is recommended that an individual check the space-available show time for the desired flight prior to departing for the terminal. Additionally, he or she should be ready for immediate processing and boarding upon arrival at the Passenger Service Center.

Selection (Roll-Call). Seat assignment begins by selecting the passenger with the highest category of travel and the earliest date/time of sign-up. Once selected for space-available travel, the individual is paged to report to the passenger check-in counter. The passenger's ID card and all other pertinent documentation are then checked, and the boarding and subsequent travel commences a short time later.

If, after the passenger's name is called, the passenger does not proceed to the check-in counter in a timely manner, he or she may be removed from the call list and the corresponding seat(s) may be assigned to other passengers. The situation can be avoided simply by remaining in the immediate vicinity of the passenger terminal.

Recall. Although not a common event, active-duty passenger or cargo space requirements may cause the ''recall'' (bumping) of Space-A passengers at any point. If an individual is 'bumped', he or she may re-register with the original date and time of registration. Remember - there is no guarantee! The member should always be prepared to purchase commercial transportation, meals and lodging. Be prompt, patient, prepared, and flexible.

Check with the Passenger Service Center for Space-A showtime prior to departing the terminal area. Space-A seats are normally identified as early as two to three hours and as late as 30 minutes prior to departure. To prevent delays, be ready for immediate processing and boarding.

When traveling Space-A always be prepared for the unexpected and have sufficient funds to buy commercial transportation, food and lodging.

Be as flexible as possible in choosing a destination. Some destinations have greater opportunities for Space-A travel than others, due to passenger demand and the frequency of scheduled flights. Whenever possible, an individual should plan to travel at ''off-peak'' Space-A travel periods in order to increase the possibility of finding space on the desired flights. The 'peak periods' include the ''summer vacations'' (late May-August) and year-end holiday season. Historically, February-March and October-November are the slowest travel periods.

Unless otherwise directed by the respective command or service, appropriate civilian attire can be worn on any flight. Use good judgment and common sense to ensure clothing is safe, in good taste and consistent with the customs of overseas countries. Passengers traveling on AMC flights should not wear: open-toed shoes (e.g., sandals); revealing clothing (e.g., tank tops); or tattered clothing (e.g., cut-off shorts).

Baggage Allowance. Each Space-A passenger is authorized two pieces of baggage not to ''exceed'' 70 pounds each or 62 linear inches. The sum of linear measurements (length plus width plus height) must not exceed 62 linear inches. Bags larger than 62 linear inches and/or heavier than 70 pounds will be counted as two pieces. Checked baggage exceeding the allowed weight criteria will be counted as an extra piece for each increment of 70 pounds. Excess baggage is not allowed for Space-A passengers.

Each passenger is authorized one carry-on bag. Carry-on baggage cannot exceed 45 linear inches. Carry-on baggage must fit securely under the aircraft seat, or in the overhead compartment, if available. Space-A passengers are not allowed to transport pets of any kind.

When traveling Space-A with young children, prepare for possible delays along the way where childcare items and supplies may not be readily available. While the passenger terminal provides many facilities for children (playgrounds, playroom, nursery), children should not be left unsupervised.

Federal Aviation Administration approved child safety/restraint seats for young children flying on AMC flights are required. This policy applies to children under 2 years old who weigh less than 40 pounds and are less than 40 inches tall. Children must be in the seat during takeoffs and landings, but may be held while the aircraft is in the cruise portion of the flight. Since children's meals, beverages and entertainment are not provided on military aircraft, Space-A passengers should prepare accordingly for their children's needs.

Hazardous materials prohibited on Space-A flights include many common items from your home, workshop, or garage such as: Propane, butane cylinders or lighter refills

safety or ''strike-anywhere'' matches gasoline, diesel, or kerosene from camping stoves

The following hazardous articles may be transported in limited quantities in hand-carried or checked baggage. A limited quantity is what a passenger would use on a short trip: toiletry articles and medicines containing hazardous substances matches and lighters oxygen cylinders used by individuals for medical purposes aerosols intended for personal care (hair sprays and deodorants) lithium batteries located in watches, computers, etc.

Remember, this article is just a brief explanation of the Space ''A'' opportunities available. For specific questions it is best to call and speak to an Air Terminal Representative. Although not appropriate for everyone, Space A is an often-underutilized benefit that can open up the world to the most frugal of travelers. Success can be achieved by subscribing to the age-old concept: ''the journey is more important than the destination.''