Space-A And Flying With The Military

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The main problem with Space-A (check out my last entry if you don't know what that is) and travel is that one never quite knows when he/she will leave, where he/she might eventually end up, and how long it might take to catch a flight out of that reached destination if things aren't too pleasurable...

It all has to do with how many seats are empty on the cargo plane after the active-duty recruits have been loaded in... Sometimes 70 seats are empty and waiting, sometimes 2 or 3... Those seats are then handed out in terms of priority... Active duty on leave gets first dibs and so on... We (retired and dependents) are about 6th down that list... Basically, whatever is left when everybody else is on the plane is for our personal taking- we get the scraps...

Don't feel to bad for us, however, as these very scraps are taking over $3000 dollars off the trip. Who could say no to a free flight to Asia? Well, actually... Quite a few. I mentioned the fact that often times Space-A involves cargo planes... These planes are meant to TRANSPORT... Not to comfort. IE: There is no sound proofing (ear-plugs are required), no heating or air-conditioning (my mom describes it as a feeling similar to hot flashes), and often times one is required to sit on netting and directly face another traveler. You literally have inches between your knees and theirs... Still, while some might back out at the opportunity to fly with our brave soldiers, I say "Adventure ON!" with corn(y)-filled glee!

When one doesn't make the cut (the seats are filled and they are still on the ground) one is, basically, SOL... You take your luggage and go back home (hopefully it's near by) and wait for the next flight to where you want to go... On occasions in the past, my family has tried to catch a hop to Hawaii and after many failed opportunities, has settled for Alaska... Pack for anything. That's the point.

So tomorrow it begins... We're heading to Travis Air force Base in hopes of catching a flight to Yokota, Japan... It appears that only 10 or so seats are available so it's not looking great. Still, worth a try... We've lucked out in the past... My dad has a way with words and often times those loading the plane will try and squeeze us in... I remember one specific occasion, in Alaska, when we'd lost out on our 3rd or 4th attempt to leave the state (mind you, this meant an extra week with bears, bass, and moose) - the plane was heading towards the runway and suddenly stopped. A couple Marines got out and waved towards us- they somehow had made room...

And that's what I love about Space-A... You couldn't ask for a better adventure to start an adventure. And hopefully, ours will start tomorrow.

If not, another flight leaves on Monday...

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Photos

Brothers but in no way twins...
We've traveled together before but it's typically a bumpy road, whether actual ground is paved or not...

Comments

[Moo.]

Malaria will be like a piece of cake! :D
Hi Chris!! Tis I, Gwen. I'm assuming that you made it on the flight....in which case I want you to know that I'll be thinking of you (if I were religious, praying for you yada yada you know), and I look forward to the stories you will have to tell when you return tremendously. I know it's not like we see each other all that often anyways, but I will miss you. Be safe, don't get sick, and write in your journal every two seconds. Oh, and take pictures, too. I demand pictures when you get back. Miss you and love you, Gwen