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Passengers await the arrival of space-available flights to different destinations around the world at the Ramstein Passenger Terminal. With summer starting, travelers may find it hard to catch a flight. With the required documentation and help from PAX terminal Airmen, commuting to different locations can be a breeze.
With summer starting and more people changing duty stations, members who want to take space-available flights will need to bring all the information and documentation with them, so they can get on the first possible flight.
“A member must first go to our passenger service center to sign up for a space-available flight,” said Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Wade, 721st Aerial Port Squadron passenger service specialist. “They need their passport or ID if they are active duty, leave form and command sponsorship letter for dependents. After that, they wait for roll call so they can be marked present.”
Anderson said the member must show up an hour early before roll call to be marked present for their flight. If a member shows up too late, they might not be able to be marked present and won’t be able to get on that flight.
“We process as many passengers as we can, as quickly as possible and we do everything we can to fill every flight, but there will be times when things are out of our control,” said Tech. Sgt. Charity Anderson, 721st APS passenger service shift supervisor. “Be financially ready to pay for a hotel room or lodging if you don’t fly out the first day you come to the terminal. The average wait time to catch a flight for active duty members on leave is about a week. For dependents and retirees it is anywhere from two weeks to a month.”
Members can consider different terminals to fly to, such as Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, when traveling to the states on a space-available flight.
“Everyone wants to go to Baltimore but it’s the hardest destination to get to during the summer,” said Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Moncman, 721st APS passenger superintendent of flight services. “Be ready to go to other available east coast terminals or anywhere in the states.”
An average of 650 people per day process through the terminal during the summer months. Members have several options to stay entertained while waiting for a flight.
“We have the USO, family lounge, playground and the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center across the street for passengers waiting for their flights,” Anderson said. “The family lounge has toys for children to play with and cribs for babies. There is also Wi-Fi in the terminal sponsored by the USO.”
Anderson said if a dependent is over 10 years old, they are required to have an ID card, and all active-duty members must be on leave before signing up for a flight.
“Our Facebook page displays 72 hours of flight data, so that is a great avenue if people are trying to get information for a flight,” Anderson said. “We also have the updated phone system, so people can get information there also by calling 479-4440 or 06371-46-4440.”
With patience, flexibility and the proper paper work, members can be on their way to destinations around the world.
