Attempting Germany in August

Author Message   JdDallas Member Username: Jddallas Post Number: 14 Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 207.200.116.12 Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2010 - 12:43 am:    I went against the grain each of the past 2 summers and went to Europe - Italy in July 2008 and Germany in August 2009. I journeyed with the NAS Ft Worth group the first time non stop to Rota, hopped to Sicily, trained to Naples, hopped back to Sicily then Ramstein to Spang for the final leg to McQuire. From McQuire we took a cab to Philly and Southwest on home. All this will only 3 days layover for a fine 2 1/2 week trip. The second time was Jackson to Ramstein non stop and no problems. Remember these folks are great and can be depended on for a smooth C-17 ride over the water. The return, some 30 days later, was just as smooth with a early, 0430, show time at Ramstein for Dover. The Cat 3's and 4's don't seem to like getting up early. I got a ride from Dover to Andrews where the Jackson group arrived to take me back home. I would do them both again. As a matter of fact the wife and I are thinking about leaving in late June from Texas to Jackson to catch the C-17 again to Germany. I you like the adventure and willing to be the early bird it can be done. Don't forget the plastic though but note that a 1 way late commercial purchase of a ticket is upwards from $800.   Marita Marcano Member Username: Joluma Post Number: 27 Registered: 03-2010 Posted From: 74.170.108.155 Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 05:31 pm:    Larry, To fly back from Germany to Charleston you might want to try Spangdahlem AFB instead of Ramstein AFB if you cannot get out of Ramstein. Competition for seats is high in Ramstein whereas there are very few PAXs in Spangdahlem. We just flew from Spangdahlem to Charleston yesterday and the PAX representatives there told us that PAXs are able to get on a flight most of the time if there are any seats available.   Bill Mathews Senior Member Username: Bill_mathews Post Number: 1192 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.170.41.150 Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 01:04 pm:    Depends on were you depart from. You might find a flight to the Med (then work your way to Germany) from J'ville NAS, FL in August with ease. Norfolk Patriot flights to the Med (Rota/Sig or Naples/Souda Bay) usually have few seats for Cat 6 in late August. Charleston can be ok in early August, but DOD (School) families can take up the seats in late August.   Larry Edward Gross New member Username: Moon Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 98.85.26.161 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 06:53 pm:    Many thanks to all who replied. Our best location to fly from is Charleston SC. Perhaps we'll wait until early Spring if September doesn't work for us. Will stay tuned to the message board reports.   william brown Senior Member Username: Brown9bill Post Number: 630 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 108.0.100.243 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 05:22 pm:    Larry: Lots of folks (CAT VI) have a problem getting out to Germany in the off-season. You are receiving great advice. Nothing is impossible but you will have to be lucky to get out during the month of August, especially after mid-August. Have a Plan B and C if A does not work. Happy Travels.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1504 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 78.29.144.8 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 04:09 pm:    Larry, I have to echo what the others have said. It really is a must to read everything in the files so you're up to speed on space-a travel. Unless you have a pocket full of shamrocks I would anticipate the worst case scenario for such a trip in August, but then there have been miracles.   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 6285 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.163.18.160 Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 12:49 am:    Larry, welcome to the board! If you had read this board in the summer you would not even have considered travel as a Cat VI from CONUS to Germany in August. Even Cat III families were backed up and waiting for as long as a week for flights, and every terminal, even the lesser-known ones, was described as "a zoo." September or October would be far better months for your trip -- you'd have lovely weather there (not as hot, either), along with fewer American tourists crowding everywhere and more Europeans traveling so you meet interesting folks -- PLUS a decent chance to get space-a seats.   Sandor Ketzis Intermediate Member Username: Siamk Post Number: 143 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 96.244.4.152 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 07:13 pm:    Larry, Since you are retired, can you not postpone until mid Sept? Mid-Aug is the absolute worst time to be departing the US. Perhaps late July or the first of Aug, might (emphasize MIGHT) allow you to get out, but after that, you are competing with everyone else heading back to Europe, and you are low man on the Totem pole. Retirees try to avoid times when school kids are getting out or returning. Other times are great! You might get very, very lucky, and be able to do it, or, as others are saying, have a wait of several days.   Carole G Intermediate Member Username: Greengal Post Number: 76 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 05:32 pm:    Sorry but that is the worst time for a Cat VI(retired) person to fly. When school is out for the summer, many Cat III(Active duty) families will be on vacation. You could face long waits for a flight to Europe or anywhere. Most Cat VI travelers avoid travel from May 15- Sept 15. Best to wait until end of Sept. It is not impossible but very unlikely for you to get a flight in Aug without a wait running up your lodging and food budget. Where did you plan to fly from to get to Europe? Happy Travels Carole   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2561 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 05:27 pm:    Larry: Welcome to the Board! If you have not yet done so, please familiarize yourself with JohnD's SpaceA Pages (link top left), the general layout of this site and the Search Function (magnifying glass at top center) of this site. Nearly all questions can be answered from those three sources. Having read thru the FAQs is a great start and I would suggest reading thru the other sections on JohnD's site as well. In relation to your proposed trip, traveling SpaceA to/from the CONUS to Germany (or anywhere in Europe) as a Cat VI in the summer will be very challenging. We try to avoid the Summer (15 May to 15 Sep) as this is typically one of the busiest times (Christmas (15 Dec-10 Jan) being the other) with a lot of competition for spacea. Please ensure that you are prepared to spend more time in terminals than you can imagine. Also be prepared for additional food, lodging and expensive, last minute commercial tickets should you be time restrained upon your attempted return. As stated often on this site, experienced SPATS avoid Christmas and Summer travel whenever possible. "Is this a very bad time to travel?" YES! In sum, can it be done??..Yes, Just be mentally prepared for things to not go as smoothly as you might be expecting...and be pleasantly surprised when they work out. Happy travels, John   Larry Edward Gross New member Username: Moon Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 74.235.229.222 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 05:02 pm:    We are retired and want to attempt 1st SpaceA trip to Germany for a month in August. Is this a very bad time to travel?