East coast- Hawaii in the Summer

Author Message   Tonya Hawkes Member Username: Tonyah Post Number: 8 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.48.212.24 Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 10:53 pm:    Thanks again for all the suggestions. We are doing spread sheets and a dry run flight next week. But we are still struggling with whether we should just leave super early and try the "known" route from Andrews to Travis to HI, or if we should gamble on a less popular route like from TX or another base where Hickam flights show up once a week or so. We need to be out there by July 8th so he's going to set up leave to start Jun 14 and we're planning on leaving for Travis no later than Jun 26 unless a direct flight to HI comes to a base close to us and then we'll try those earlier. Does this sound like a realistic plan?   Jean Vargas Member Username: Hartmanj Post Number: 14 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 206.251.12.1 Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 01:44 am:    We went in July a couple of years ago. Andrews to Travis. Couldn't get on in Travis so hopped a flight to Elmendorf. Were there one night and then a flight popped up to Hickam. It was just us and one other couple - compared with seemingly hundreds at Travis. On the way home we got a flight all the way from Hickam to McGuire.   Tonya Hawkes Member Username: Tonyah Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.48.212.24 Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 12:57 am:    Thanks for the ANG suggestion, I hadn't thought of that. We're trying to compile all the info we need so we can be as prepared for any contingency as possible. Appreciate all the advice.   Joe Joyce Advanced Member Username: Joejoyce Post Number: 153 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 199.224.21.254 Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 02:59 pm:    Tonya, re: Carole G's advice about ANG and reserve locations. You might want to check PANG 171st ARW (Pittsburgh - recording: 412.776.7531) and Rickenbacker ANG Base (Columbus, OH area) both reasonable drives from DC. I know they have occasional missions to Hickam. You might get lucky. Have a great SpaceA adventure!   Carole G Intermediate Member Username: Greengal Post Number: 132 Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 68.205.151.181 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 06:07 pm:    You might check some of the Reserve or ANG bases. They go to Hawaii and there would be less competition for those flights. The Navy would also be a good choice to look at. Good Luck!   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2619 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 05:24 pm:    Tonya: Yes, that's what's being said. The first rule of SpaceA is to take the first flight that's heading in the direction you're going. To clarify, if you are starting at Andrews and your final destination is Hawaii, and a aircraft is headed to Travis...take the Travis flight, even if tomorrow's schedule shows a flight going to Hawaii (remember...that flight may never materialize!). However, if there is a flight going to Pope...even though that is in the general direction of Hawaii from Andrews...don't take it because the chance of further flights to the West Coast from Pope are not good like they would be from Travis. Happy Travels, John   william brown Senior Member Username: Brown9bill Post Number: 640 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 108.0.100.243 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 05:21 pm:    Please read the the other replies below. You could be at Travis a long time even as a CAT 3. Keep in mind North Island. We have a lot easier time getting to Hawaii from North Island as a CAT 6. It seems as if everyone goes to Travis because of te number of flights they offer. Good luck and Happy Travels.   Tonya Hawkes Junior Member Username: Tonyah Post Number: 6 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.48.212.24 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 05:04 pm:    No that's fine, we're trying to be realistic. It seems like every now and then a direct flight from McGuire or Andrews goes to Hickam so we're going to go on leave about 2 weeks before we need to be there and if one of those flights comes up we'll try for it of course. But I guess from what you guys are saying we should start heading to CA at that time anyways?   FHYL Advanced Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 393 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.131.47 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 04:25 pm:    Good luck. I spent 10 days last June with two AD (Cat IIIs) and their 5 kids. They were trying to get to HI. Had lots of priority, flexibility and a super positive attitudes. Three of the seven made it after the group split into 4 & 3. Their seven seat requirement was a tough nut to crack. Travis & North Island were both backed up for weeks. As a solo Cat VI, with time to burn, I called it quits after the 10th day (& 6 rounds of golf while I was waiting). [ I missed my early start by a day before getting caught in the "rush". ] I'm not throwing cold water on your plans....just sharing experiences & realities of SPATing in the summer.   dinotars Senior Member Username: Dinotars Post Number: 6696 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.169.151.24 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 12:17 pm:    I would plan on a week in order to get from CA to HI.Your call.   Tonya Hawkes New member Username: Tonyah Post Number: 5 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.48.212.24 Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 12:00 pm:    Okay, I know that the summer is the hardest time to do this but it's the only time we can, so basically, I'd like some input regarding how far in advance should we start trying to get to HI from the DC area? We need to be there July 5th. We will be CAT 3 but with 5 of us travelling. We live in the DC area so we can try Andrews, Dover and Willow Grove or even McGuire if necessary. I'm guessing we need to leave about 8 days early to give us 4 days to get from CA to HI.