Cat VI to UK in July - Impossible?

Author Message   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 6340 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.163.18.160 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 12:28 pm:    William Standage gives good advice below -- I have long since advised people to locate and call all the reserve or Air National Guard bases within a reasonable distance (1 day's drive? Rent a car one-way to avoid the need to return later to get your POV) of your home, seeking their upcoming flight schedules. Most will give you at least general information as much as several months in advance, and details such as time and date when it gets closer to departure time. Because these bases are NOT well known by the vast majority of space-a flyers (particularly Cat III's going to see grandparents for the summer vacation), you have a far better chance of getting your flight. Of course, the return can be another story, as you will need to compete with everyone at your European starting point. However, even there you can improve your chances in a couple of ways. One is the good old "go east to go west" technique, which involves flying "upstream" to the first point on the route at which SPATs are allowed to board -- Souda Bay, on the Greek island of Crete, is the classic example -- and getting manifested through to CONUS from there. Another tactic is to get to Rota/Moron Spain, normally far less crowded with space-a wannabees than found in Germany or even Italy. Finally, if you cannot manage either of those techniques, be advised that some SPATs, especially those with families, are loathe to rouse themselves out for showtimes in the middle of the night, so you have a somewhat better chance in those hours. Finally, remember the two most important rules of space-a: 1) NEVER LEAVE THE TERMINAL UNTIL THE FLIGHT YOU DIDN'T GET IS TRULY GONE. (Many people add, "Stay at the terminal 24/7 until you get out, reminding the desk personnel from time to time that you are there and ready to move instantly; flights have been known to (a) kindly make more room at the last minute, turn back and then take more pax once the problem that caused the return is fixed, or (b) pop up out of nowhere, with imminent departures) 2) TAKE THE FIRST FLIGHT YOU ARE OFFERED THAT IS GOING IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION. This is a variant of the "bird in the hand" axiom. (That C-5 supposedly going later in the day to the base where your car is parked may never get fixed; that C-17 'scheduled' for tomorrow may be diverted because of the needs of the service; what seems like thousands of higher priority passengers with large families may suddenly flood into the terminal taking up all available seats for the foreseeable future; etc., etc.)   Bill Mathews Senior Member Username: Bill_mathews Post Number: 1200 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.71.47.192 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 12:55 am:    We have traveled in the Summer as a Cat 6 for many years. We do avoid the 2 weeks before/after Jun 1st and Sept 1st. Otherwise it is doable. The Med routings (Sig., Rota & Souda Bay) seem easier for us than the Ramstein to/from East Coast routings. But Ramstein can have lots of flights in July and August and 1 large Cargo plane can clear out the terminal. Germany to UK (Mildenhall) is usually by small Jets (C21) and have a 30# limit. May work for 2 people but a family of 4 could have problems betweem Ramstein & Mildenhall getting seats. If this is your first trip, I'd stick with Germany, till you learn the ropes. Adding UK could be dicey; but you could pre-book Ryan Air commAir flight from Frankfurt Hahn to London Stansted (near Mildenhall) 2 months out for around 25EU each person; say a week after you expect to arrive Germany. This way you should be able to make the flight in case of delays getting to Germany. Then book your return (now) from London Stansted to Frankfurt Hahn in time for 4-5 days to return to the East Coast. We do this a lot, and have little money at risk in case we do not make the flight. But we did not do this until our 4-5th year traveling; and when we under stood the military flight system, etc.   dinotars Senior Member Username: Dinotars Post Number: 6682 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.169.151.24 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 12:13 am:    Ray, I know of where you speak.Summer travel for Cat VI is a real challenge.A solo might have a relatively better chance.I say relatively when compared to others in the same Cat VI status. The surge of dependents lately during the summer months is a sight to behold at the main portals. Be prepared,have a lot of patience, be quick,travel light,have a long DTG sign up.and a healthy credit card.   Ray Clifford Advanced Member Username: Mrsas Post Number: 355 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 67.216.156.208 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 11:55 pm:    Many years ago lots of people were not aware of this website and it was possible for a VIto do it. Now its a nightmare for a Senior citizen Vet to try. Leaving June SAV/Newark/Rome/Nap return same route 1 Oct. In the past took oneway came back space A. Too Much$$ for O/W. Handicap pax. Luck and patience. Add up your costs of meals,taxi,loging and wasting time and some times its not worth it. Its great only when you make the connections for the Space A trip.   Jack T. Paxton Senior Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 836 Registered: 07-2003 Posted From: 24.27.231.67 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 08:21 pm:    You do not mention your category but anything is possible. Go for it! I did it many times years ago as a VI and single. Made it is May, June, and July. Not sure the odds now but Theresa is right.   william brown Senior Member Username: Brown9bill Post Number: 635 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 108.0.100.243 Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 03:05 pm:    Tom: You will have a better chance flying in July than in June. Nothing is impossible but hope you have a lot of patience, money and other plans. You will most likely have to fly into Germany to get to the UK these days. These are few direct flights into the UK from the bases you listed. Happy Travels.   William Standage Senior Member Username: Charlie13 Post Number: 1077 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 75.172.94.34 Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 02:46 pm:    Yes, but go ahead and give it a try. Your post will provide plenty of educational reading fodder for junior board members. Who knows, you might even get lucky. I've found the best method to find a flight to Mildenhall is through one of the tanker bases deploying there, i.e. MacDill, Fairchild, McConnell, Grand Forks, and Mitchell Fld. Downside, they usually only have a couple of flights per month (at best), and the number of seats available are usually small.   Theresa Pozar Member Username: Teekee Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2008 Posted From: 217.91.130.149 Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 02:45 pm:    I personally don't think you're crazy to try, but be sure to have a back-up plan. The summer months are very crazy for Space A. Last summer I was able to hop Cat V with 2 kids in tow from Ramstein to Charleston toward the end of June, and return the second week of July. I had a one day layover on each end. A friend, however, was hopping Cat III a week after me, and was stuck for a week at Ramstein before she could get out. It's very hit or miss, but if you hit it's a great way to fly! I'm planning to try it again this summer =) Good luck to you guys!   Tom Mitchell Member Username: Bluegypsy Post Number: 8 Registered: 08-2009 Posted From: 24.153.127.40 Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 02:35 pm:    First-timer asking how bad the summer months are. We're planning a trip to the UK, starting from Dover/BWI/Andrews/Mcguire on 6 July, returing around the 25th July. We might go via Ramstein/Spangdahlem. Are we crazy even to try?