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Space-available travel is a great opportunity to travel at little or no cost. It is a privilege that accrues to uniformed servicemembers and their dependents as an avenue of respite from the rigors of uniformed service duty.
The following is some useful information about your travel category and tips for smooth travel.
All Space-A passengers have an assigned travel category. Priority of movements depends on your category and your date and time of sign up. There are currently six travel categories for Space-A travel.
Rank does not play a role in your category or priority. Sign up can be done in person, by fax or via e-mail at spacea@ramstein.af.mil. Active duty can sign up on the first day on leave and at the time of your “leave status” and no earlier.
Dependents traveling without their sponsor will need a command sponsorship letter, dependent ID card for dependents 10 and over, and a valid passport.
To find out what travel category you fall under and for examples of command sponsorship letters, visit www.ramstein.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4997.
To be eligible to fly, passengers must have a command sponsorship letter signed by a commander, acting commander or rear detachment commander, IDs for travelers age 10 and over, passports and foreign nationals need a resident card or ESTA Waiver (call the terminal for more information).
Once you have all required documents, you are eligible to sign up for Space-A travel via e-mail, in person or through fax. You can call for flight information up to 72 hours prior to your desired travel date. You can call 479-4440 or 06371-46-4440 for locations and roll call times. Sign up at all bases near your destination for your return flight.
On travel day, you should call ahead to ensure flights are still on schedule, arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to roll call time (If you arrive late, you will not be selected for that flight), and proceed to the passenger service center or kiosk to mark yourself present for the day.
You must also have all documentation (command sponsorship letter, ID and passport, leave paperwork) and luggage with you to be considered travel ready. Each passenger is allowed two checked bags that do not exceed 70 pounds each and one carry-on.
Remember, there are no guaranteed seats on Space-A flights so passengers should be prepared to buy a commercial ticket if necessary
The following are some frequently asked questions that may help you on your day of travel:
Q: What important information should be on my command sponsorship letter?
A: The sponsor’s unit should be on the header, date, traveler’s information and deployment dates if the sponsor is deployed.
Q: How long does my sponsor have to be deployed for me to travel as category III?
A: More than 365 days and deployment dates must be annotated on the command sponsorship letter.
Q: How long does my sponsor have to be deployed for me to travel as category IV?
A: More than 120 days and deployment dates must be annotated on the command sponsorship letter.
Q: Where am I able to fly as a category III and IV?
A: As a category III and IV you are able to travel overseas to overseas, overseas to conus, and conus to overseas, but not conus to conus.
Q: Can I travel category III or IV before my husband deploys or outside of his deployment dates?
A: No, you must travel within his or her deployment dates indicated on the command sponsorship letter.
Q: Can I fly with an infant in my lap?
A: No, we recommend you bring a car seat.
Q: Do you have long-term parking?
A: Yes, once you have been selected for a flight you will be given a long-term parking pass.
Q: Can I take baby formula on the plane?
A: Yes, but only a reasonable amount.
Q: Can I stay in the terminal after it closes?
A: No, so plan ahead and make reservations at lodging just in case you do not make it on a flight on the specified day.
Q: What are your hours?
A: Our hours of operation are from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
Q: Is there a USO in the terminal?
A: Yes, we have a USO located on the second floor with free WiFi, computers and also Subway.
Q: Are there any shuttles on base?
A: Yes, there is a free shuttle that runs from Ramstein to Frankfurt airport at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday.
The Ramstein Passenger Terminal wishes you safe and happy travels.
(Courtesy of Carolyn Hollis)
