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Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 184
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 64.192.97.152
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 11:19 pm: | |
Day 11/12/13 (Texas/Delaware/Maryland/Virginia)
Space-A return trip:
The Strategy:
We checked NAS Ft Worth and learned that operations there were closed for the rest of the year. It was the same at NAS Corpus Christi and Randolph AFB. It appeared that our only options to head east were out of Kelly AFB (San Antonio) where there were two flights scheduled during the coming week to Dover AFB, DE. From Dover, there are often flights down to Charleston (a 4 hour drive from our home in Jacksonville). Our experience is that one can never plan on a Space-A trip - we would see how the drama unfolded!
THE DRAMA:
After a five-hour drive back to San Antonio, Kelly AFB provided very comfortable accommodations and next morning we checked into the passenger terminal for our flight to Delaware. “No problem” said the sergeant. Again, my experience is that these flights often change at the last minute.
We were up early for the 0800 Space-A check-in at Kelly’s passenger terminal and our return of the rental car was easy because of Enterprise’s arrangement which allowed us to simply leave the car parked in the terminal’s lot and the keys with the sergeant behind the desk who took our luggage and gave us a boarding pass. Our departure went smoothly and at 1120 we were “wheels up” and on our way to Dover AFB, DE. About a half an hour into the flight, I commented to Carole, this (flight to Delaware) was amongst the easiest of our Space-A experiences! I spoke too soon.
We then heard a change of engine pitch and felt the plane turn around. We had gotten as far as the skies over Houston when the pilot had an alarm signal that the cargo doors were not fully closed, so we returned to Kelly AFB for “minor repairs.” As luck would have it, they did indeed fix the C-5A and we were back in the air some three hours later. By nightfall we landed at Dover. Our luck continued when we were given very comfortable base accommodations (some of the nicest we have stayed in) and were told there was a flight to Charleston AFB scheduled two days later. While at Dover AFB we bumped into “Jack h” (who often posts Dover’s flights and other helpful info on this board) and enjoyed coffee and a “chin wag” with him.
On the morning of the scheduled flight from Dover to Charleston, we were up before dawn, made our way to the Pax terminal and by 0530, made the Space-A roll call. We were given our boarding passes and checked in our luggage. By 0800 we were taken to the C-5A but when we reached planeside, we were told there was a “minor maintenance issue” and were taken back to the passenger terminal. By 0900 we were gathered by the passenger agents and taken back to the aircraft. We were comforted when we saw the passenger agents loading our luggage from the van onto the aircraft, then a few minutes later were invited to board the Galaxy. After two or three hours of waiting on the aircraft we were told that the airplane was “hard broke” and would not be flying to Charleston.
We shifted too “Plan B.” We picked up a Hertz rental car and drove the four hour trip from Dover to Norfolk.
Day 14 (Virginia):
Our experience has been that getting to Norfolk is just as good as getting to Jacksonville because there are normally two regularly scheduled flights every week and numerous (sometimes as much as four a day) unscheduled flights heading to JAX. On arrival at Norfolk’s Naval Base, we checked into Ely Hall’s comfortable billeting then checked with the passenger terminal. For the first time in our memory, there was no Saturday Norfolk-Jacksonville-GTMO run! Things had “shut down” for the holidays.
Day 15 (Virginia/North Carolina/South Carolina/Georgia/Florida):
We shifted to “Plan C” and called Hertz, extended our contract for a Jacksonville car turn-in a few days hence. After a comfortable night’s rest in Norfolk, we set out on an 11 hour drive down Interstate 95 to Jacksonville.
Looking back, this taught us not to try to travel Space A between Christmas and New Years because the system draws down to a standstill. Nonetheless, this was a wonderful trip to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and was, indeed, a Great Adventure.
Happy traveling!
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Mike Bird
Member
Username: Old_goat
Post Number: 818
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 10:54 pm: | |
Anna and May,
San Antonio is my most favorite town in the whole World. I was stationed there for years and everyday is a great time. So much to do, friendly people, Good Mexican food and Steaks. I love the TEX-MEX way of life. |
May Thomas
Member
Username: May
Post Number: 101
Registered: 05-2005
Posted From: 61.73.136.155
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 10:19 pm: | |
Next time you are in S.A. visit Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk. The restaurant is great fun, a bit raunchy, loud, sometimes rude, but all with a smile and laugh. You are encouraged to participate in this outrageous behavior. But rememeber, it's all for a good time. Definitely, an "out of the box" experience. |
Anna
New member
Username: Rock_on
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 24.243.49.211
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 01:34 pm: | |
I grew up on the Southside of San Antonio. There are a lot of great mexican restaurants that are pretty cheap along 35 south. Piedras Niegras is one of the best. Try thier Nachos! There is also a wonderful Flea Market with in the city limits and South of Poteet(known for thier strawberry fest in the spring)The fleamarket is called Flea World. It's a buck a carload to get in and park and you can find great souviners and almost anything else you want including a shoe shine for cheap! They sell great farm grown fruits and organic eggs, Spurs shirts and hats for $5.00. The more you buy the more you save! Try the mexican corn in a cup on the way out to the highway, it's yummy on a chilly day.
Another great site to visit,I believe and hasn't been listed here, is Our Lady of the Lake University,(graduated in '91) off Commerce and 24th street, founded by the Sisters of Divine providence in late 1800's. I believe has one of the most elaborate european architectural designs in the area. The chapel is quite beautiful, especially before sunset, the sunlight through the stained glass windows is awesome. If anyone needs more info, please feel free to email me. Whispirr@yahoo.com. |
Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 180
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 67.78.125.146
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 12:34 am: | |
John,
Good idea about Randolph. It now is 26 Dec and their pax terminal is closed for the holiday with their last update to their recording on 21 Dec. Will stay on top of them!
cheers,
Marv |
Glen Caldwell
Member
Username: Vafisherman
Post Number: 268
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 11:14 pm: | |
I suggest you not only look east but in all directions. You might find a connection at any of the major terminals. Watch Jacksonville and Mayport as well as other major terminals in FL. See if you can reverse route yourself home. Lots of Luck! |
John D.
Member
Username: John_d
Post Number: 2079
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 68.232.132.87
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 11:08 pm: | |
Don't forget Randolph. |
Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 179
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 67.78.125.146
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 10:16 pm: | |
I need your ideas. This is our strategy for getting back from Texas this week to Jacksonville. What do you SPATS think?
Space-A return trip:
The Strategy:
We checked NAS Ft Worth and learned that things there were closed for the rest of the year. Things were the same at NAS Corpus Christi. It appeared that our only flights back east were out of Kelly AFB (San Antonio) where there are two flights scheduled this coming week to Dover AFB, DE. From Dover, there are often flights down to Charleston, which is only a 4 hour drive from our home in Jacksonville. Our experience is that one can never plan on a Space-A trip, so lets see how the drama unfolds!
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Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 178
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 70.244.30.76
| | Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 09:06 pm: | |
Day 10 (Texas)
Christmas Day - we decided to “chill out” at our beachside hotel. Everything was closed but fortunately, we had provided ourselves with sandwiches to tide us over. We enjoyed two walks – in the morning and in the afternoon in perfect weather on the endless beach right outside our hotel. Lunch was on the beachside terrace – two delicious turkey sandwiches “with trimmings” which we had wisely picked up at a deli the previous day. “Happy Hour”, courtesy of the hotel, was a fitting conclusion to a most relaxing day and to our stay in the Rio Grande Valley.
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Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 177
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 70.244.30.76
| | Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 01:04 am: | |
Day 8 (Texas)
Unfortunately, the highly-touted International Museum of Arts & Science in McAllen was closed (even though it was supposed to be open!) so we headed east for an excursion to Harlingen where we enjoyed several hours at the Iwo Jima Memorial and Museum on the campus of the Marine Military Academy (a private prep school). A moving video introduced us to the terrible battle that took place on that island during World War II and we later stood in awe at Felix de Weldon’s original magnificent sculpture of Marines planting the American flag on Mt. Suribachi. We concluded our day by walking through the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge at dusk and then dining at one of McAllen's many gourmet restaurants (The Republic of the Rio Grande Cafe).
Day 9 (Texas)
Continuing our exploration of “The Valley”, we drove from McAllen to Brownsville where we enjoyed several hours at the wonderful Gladys Porter Zoo, renowned for the magnificent animals (many endangered species) from all over the world, living in settings that closely resemble their own natural habitats. A “windshield tour” of Brownsville revealed that while it was interesting, our stay in the area would be far more pleasant by the “sea” (Gulf of Mexico) at South Padre Island. “The Island” is relatively undiscovered, with miles of uncluttered beaches and brand-new, sparkling resorts at (winter) bargain prices. On check-in at a seaside hotel, we were thrilled to receive a deluxe ocean view room where we decided to spend time relaxing and walking on the beach. Not a bad way to spend an 83 degree sunny December day!
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Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 175
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 68.89.19.162
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 02:35 am: | |
Day 6 (Texas):
Farewell San Antonio and hello The Rio Grande Valley ! The drive down to McAllen was a four lane, 240 mile run. We easily found a comfortable, affordable hotel, then went out to dinner at an upscale seafood restaurant where we enjoyed delicious fresh red snapper with Vera Cruz sauce---Yum! We found the locals in this prosperous part of the USA to be very friendly to us and all the “Winter Texans” who come here every year by the thousands.
Day 7 (Texas/Mexico):
It was a perfect day (clear skies and almost spring-like weather) for us to make an international trip – to Mexico. One of the nicest border towns was nearby so off we went to Nuevo Progresso, not far from McAllen. We were surprised at how clean this town was, with its myriad souvenir sellers offering everything from ceramics and jewelry to dried chiles and gallon bottles of vanilla, while all the time being entertained by loud, happy Mexican music. Also surprising was the substantial number of pharmacists, selling discount “medicines” (drugs) and dentists, all offering crowns for about $150! We spoke to a couple of American tourists who come there every year for their cheap dental work and they were quite happy with the results. What a great day’s outing.
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Edwin B McConville
Member
Username: Perkyva1
Post Number: 412
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 65.146.219.30
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 03:02 pm: | |
Allan: Never have known a Navy Chief who couldn't get the job done! Fly NAVY AIR!! |
ALLAN JESKA
Member
Username: Jeskaa1
Post Number: 146
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 67.150.95.155
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 01:46 pm: | |
What goes around, comes around... We also had real troubles with Navy AMC folks at the JAX Terminal. We knew there was a JV flight from there to N. Is. and on to Whidbey... even talked to the nice operations folks at JV Squadron. There was a newly retired Navy Sr. Master Chief (E-9) waiting for the flight. He grabbed a blank Navy manifest, we each wrote down our names, etc. and he called the squadron and they sent down a duty driver to get us to the plane. JAX AMC never did a thing!!! Great flight.. we landed in N. Is. NAS right next to USAF #1 and flew to Whidbey Is. NAS the next AM. Now, I am retired Army, but I always carry a BLANK Navy flight manifest.. just in case!!! Sail Army! |
Phyllis DeLancey
Member
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 790
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 63.168.254.47
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 12:43 am: | |
Marv, if you want a different way to get back up to Ft. Worth, try taking RT 281 out of San Ant. It is a little west of I35, lots of folks use this to avoid the traffice, construction and just plain mess of I35. It is a more local road, but my friends who use this say it won't take any longer. We plan on going this way next month. |
Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 174
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 207.71.22.45
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 12:53 pm: | |
Day 4 (Texas)
A local Budget car rental agency offered us a nice package on a car for a few weeks and even drove onto the Naval Air Station to pick us up and bring us to their office where they gave us the keys to “our” comfortable Chevy. Now mobile, we enjoyed a “TEX-MEX” breakfast of huevos rancheros at a Ft. Worth establishment, then hit Interstate 35 for the 285 mile drive to San Antonio. To our surprise, this Monday morning drive south on the Interstate was a congested and high-speed run. Not being able to satisfy Marvin’s TEX-MEX desire, we stopped for lunch at an Austin Taco Cabana (a well known regional Mexican fast food place) for a wonderful Mexican lunch! We arrived in San Antonio late that afternoon to enjoy quality family time with Marvin’s uncle.
Day 5 (Texas):
San Antonio--->one of America’s best cities! No visit to San would be complete without a visit to the River Walk. On a Tuesday morning this was easy and uncrowded. We had lunch at Boudro’s on the River and could not help but notice that their menu listed the same wonderful evening dishes for half price at lunch. It was a chilly winter day, so adding to the Mexican atmosphere of the Mariachi bands playing their traditional music, we were given warm wool ponchos to keep us warm as we watched tourists being taken up and down the river in front of our lunch table! We also took in the spectacular McNay Art Museum and marveled at the colorful Dale Chihuly works of glass art exhibited at both San Antonio’s central public library and its Art Museum. By the way, on a recent Space-A trip (to McChord AFB) we had been to Chihuly’s hometown of Tacoma where his works are also publicly displayed. San Antonio - what a gem!
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Phyllis DeLancey
Member
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 788
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 63.168.254.47
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 11:58 am: | |
I don't think it is just JV. We were left in Norfolk last month, when 2 different planes that were due in and than coming to Ft.Worth just never got there. Like Marv, I called Ft.Worth found out one plane was still on the ground broke in Florida and the other one was going to Andrews instead, all of this was new to the folks working at Norfolk. |
dinotars
Member
Username: Dinotars
Post Number: 1109
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 65.32.150.131
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 03:45 am: | |
Marv,
Your experience with "Information Please", a.k.a.PAX Terminal NAS Jax,confirms what others have posted here lately.They need a good class on procedures. |
Glen Caldwell
Member
Username: Vafisherman
Post Number: 248
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 02:51 am: | |
Marv,
Great report. A lesson I learned a long time ago, is that with JV Naval Reserve Squadrons, if you are trying to catch the last leg which is their homeward bound trip, you need to be VERY early. I have been stranded twice trying to get to Willow Grove from Norfolk due to flights leaving between 2 to 5 hours early. |
Phyllis DeLancey
Member
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 787
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 63.168.254.47
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 11:50 pm: | |
Mary, there is a train than leaves Ft.Worth for San Ant. about 4 p.m. the cab fare from the base to the train station is $20.00 and I forget the price of the train, but it is a nice trip down to San Ant. Hope you enjoy your visit. |
Marv Feldman
Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 173
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 207.71.22.167
| | Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 10:16 pm: | |
TEXAS TRIP REPORT
Day One (Florida):
CNN’s weather report said the sun was shining over Texas, so Texas here we come!
Checking Pepperd’s board, we gathered available information and put together a “Plan A” and “Plan B”. Our “Plan A” was to drive from our home in Jacksonville to Naval Air Station Jacksonville (JAX) and catch Ft Worth’s C-130 Herc as it came through. Published reports said it was due to come in from the Azores on Saturday, 17 Dec 05, clear Customs, continue to St Augustine, then proceed to its home base of NAS Ft. Worth, offering 75 seats to travelers. Sounded great, but our Space-A experience told us that it was good that we have a back up plan!!
“Plan B” was to catch the normal Saturday flight from NAS JAX to Norfolk. This is usually an easy run as it is a contract flight which normally arrives in from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO), clears Customs, drops passengers off and flies practically empty to Norfolk. We noticed that there were two flights from Oceana, VA to the NAS Ft. Worth this weekend, one leaving Saturday (17th) night at 2030 and the second one scheduled to leave Oceana Sunday (18th) at 1330 in the afternoon. If we were really lucky, we would get to Norfolk soon enough to make the connection to Texas right away; if not, then we would have Sunday (18th) as back up.
THE DRAMA
Plan A: Friday morning we called the NAS JAX passenger terminal to get an update on the C-130 to Texas. “No problem,” I was told, “75 seats available, come on down.” The scheduled flight time came and passed with no word or any sight of the airplane. I asked for an update and the clerk made a call and told me that this airplane “IS BROKE.” Wondering if we would see the flight later that afternoon, I called Lajes myself only to find out that they had not seen this flight all day. I then called the Herc’s home squadron (Ft Worth) only to find out that this mission had changed over a month ago and was rerouted from Lajes to Norfolk to Ft Worth and, apparently, this was not updated in “the system”. No problem, we drove home figuring we would return to the JAX terminal Saturday for “Plan B.
Day Two (Florida/Virginia):
Plan B: Saturday afternoon we called the passenger terminal to get an update on the 737 flight from GTMO. “No problem,” I was told, “come on down, everything is normal and you will not have any problem flying up to Norfolk.” Again, at the scheduled flight time, there was no sight of the aircraft. We learned that the Delta Airlines (contracted) pilot was concerned about landing at NAS JAX in the rain (?), so he landed at Jacksonville International Airport (JIA), some 35+ miles away. It took the PAX terminal people an hour to figure out what to do next. Fortunately, they decided to send two Navy buses to JIA both to bring the 25 Space-A Norfolk-bound passengers to the commercial airport and to pick up the inbound passengers from GTMO. Finally, at about 1900 hours, we were “wheels up” on our Delta (contracted) flight from JIA to Norfolk. Now there was no way for us to get from Norfolk to Oceana in time for the 2030 flight to Texas, but Delta did give us an unexpected free tasty in-flight meal. Our luck was with us at Norfolk because one of the Navy baggage handlers heard us talking about the anticipated $50++ cab ride to Oceana and offered us a ride there. When we tried to pay for his gas, he graciously refused and explained that he lives in Oceana, had to drive there anyway and was happy to help. We were able to get a very comfortable room on Oceana’s Naval Base. Once on Oceana (about 45 minutes drive from Norfolk), we called its passenger terminal to learn that the Sunday’s flight with a published departure time of 1330 had been changed to a show time of 0745 for a 0945 departure! Good that we found that out ahead of time or we would have missed the flight. The nice PAX agent even offered to pick us up at billeting in the morning and take us to the terminal. Sunday’s three hour flight to Texas was most enjoyable as we were the only passengers on this 120 seat C-40!
Day 3 (Virginia/Texas):
Even though we landed at Ft Worth around noon and had plenty of time to drive to our first stop of San Antonio, none of the car rental agencies around the base were open on Sunday afternoon. This left us with two options---to take a $50++ cab to DFW Airport’s car rental agencies or to spend the night on the base and pick up a local car in the morning. We were tired from our journey, so we took the easy route and stayed in NAS Ft Worth’s comfortable quarters.
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