Japan to Sicily

Author Message   Christi Meyer Member Username: Cmeyer Post Number: 32 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 70.174.115.204 Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 06:59 pm:    Sorry if it was confusing- I was referring to Thomas' idea of going EML to CONUS, then cat V from east coast to Sig. as he said she did last year. Should have just left that part out, since it was referring to incorrect info anyway   Thomas Huntt Member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 10 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 03:19 am:    Thanks to everyone for your help. You have been more than accomodating! I know my questions seem fundamental, and I probably could have found them in the plethora of other subjects and listings, but I wanted to hear it from an experienced person...im not sure the other forums would have told me to get the affidavit of travel! I just contacted my legal office, and will be typing the affidavit for my wife to travel with my son. All is good. I will also sign them up via the "take a hop" website too! All other documents are in line as well. My wife IS Sicilian. I met, and married her when was stationed in Sigonella. While im out to sea for all these months, she goes back home and stays with her family. We just had a son, so she will be taking him too! We will probably fly from yokota to travis, I imagine, and from there, try to get to the east coast. My mom will try to make arrangements to get her and take her to Norfolk for a flight to Sig. Once again Thank you!! If anyone has anymore suggestions, please let me know. You guys are awesome!! Go Navy   crystalkei Member Username: Crystalkei Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 203.205.124.8 Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 02:16 am:    Atsugi has many flights to AK that might help your hope for plans to Dover, etc. I'm assuming she has a sofa stamp so I'd call Atsugi and see what we've got going out.   Alicia W. Advanced Member Username: Lilyfrog67 Post Number: 190 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 70.161.138.72 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 10:15 pm:    Why is your wife wanting to travel to Sicily in the first place? Is she Sicilian or do you all have friends stationed there??? I just noticed a flight from Norfolk headed your way....she may get lucky and get a flight directly back to Norfolk and then can hop one of the weekly flights to Italy. Just tell her to be prepared with lodging in case she gets stuck in Norfolk or elsewhere!!! Summer time is a bad time to travel for categories 4-6!!   Marea B Senior Member Username: Navywife Post Number: 2252 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 74.178.250.177 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 03:49 pm:    She will need a Power of Attorney from you stating she can travel wherever she wants with the child. It should state your full name, SSN; her name, SSN; and the child's full name, dob and SSN as well. This is now required when going through any customs into and out of the US. This has been a requirement for several years especially if a spouse is from another country and traveling on that passport. I have needed it every time I have traveled.   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4626 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 03:43 pm:    Thomas, As John R. suggested to you up front it pays to research the Space-A FAQ - you may have known about this sooner!!! Not sure what Christi means either. If your spouse qualifies for travel due to your "deployment" then she'll be the same category (either bottom of Cat-III after Active Duty Cat-III members or Cat-IV) all the way to/from Sicily. There is no special way to sign up (see the Space-A FAQ for the typical ways she can signup. The letter, ID cards, passports and any required visas should be all she needs (see documentation FAQ article). Non-Space-A tip: Some folks recommend an authorization from one spouse to the other if traveling with children (especially infants) - a sign of the times I'm afraid!   Thomas Huntt Member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 9 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 11:55 am:    Well, I guess the best answer to that is that my ship, nor myself, even knew about this category. I didn't even know about it, nor did I even think to check for such a category. I didn't even realize I was out for that long, but I really am. I do have a question to Christi, what do you mean "She'll be lower priority at first, but higher later." Wont she be category IV all the way from Japan to Sicily? Is there a special way to sign up at the terminal for this category? She just goes up there and emphasizes CAT IV and being a spouse of a dependant deployed more than 120days? Is that letter the only thing she needs, othere than passports, for her and my son? Again, Thank you very much for your help. Im sorry for asking alot of questions, but you are further strengthening my courage!   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4624 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 03:38 am:    Thomas, What changed? In your earlier post you said your ship would only provide her with EML (CAT IV) status?   Christi Meyer Member Username: Cmeyer Post Number: 31 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 70.174.115.204 Posted on Monday, June 07, 2010 - 02:28 am:      Thomas Huntt Member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 - 05:30 am:    Thank you very much. I think I may be able to use this!   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4604 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2010 - 11:33 am:    Thomas, The info and template is available from the Spacea.net FAQ.   Thomas Huntt Member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2010 - 11:29 am:    Yes and no, about the deployment...I WILL be deployed for longer than 120 days soon...What form do I use? Is there a GOOD template I can reference? That would be great!!! !!!!THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!   DeeDee Clarke Senior Member Username: Deedee Post Number: 647 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 67.11.180.124 Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 07:32 pm:    Christi - I guess the question would be if he is actually deployed or not.   Christi Meyer Member Username: Cmeyer Post Number: 30 Registered: 01-2009 Posted From: 70.174.115.204 Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 02:15 pm:    Thomas- can't you just make her a cat IV, sponsor deployed over 120 days, and forget the whole EML thing. That way she can travel space-a to the east coast (if available) and onto Sig without any hassles? She'll be lower priority at first, but higher later. And without the risk of getting refused space-a while you're out on a ship.   Thomas Huntt Junior Member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 10:43 am:    You are right, it does...guess we will see what happens...   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4550 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 09:47 am:    The Command Sponsored letter should (clearly) state that she's not authorized to travel between theaters. p.s. Thanks Thomas but this isn't my site - it's Dirks (mine is the www.spacea.net site)!   Thomas Huntt New member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 09:30 am:    Thank you for your help though. I really appreciate it! You have a really great site here! I will see if my wife is willing to risk it again. Just curiouse, has anyone reading this ever done the same thing I have, or has anyone ever been turned away for these reasons?   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4549 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 07:31 am:    I think she lucked out last year and escaped being stranded at either Norfolk or in Europe. The regs and the Command Sponsored letter specifically state that "Space-A travel is authorized OCONUS to CONUS, CONUS back to OCONUS, and OCONUS to OCONUS within sponsor’s theater of assignment. CONUS to CONUS travel is not authorized." She can certainly try it again (at her own risk).   Thomas Huntt New member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 07:11 am:    John, This confuses me because my wife did this very thing last year, the same time. Last year, my wife flew Cat IV from Yokota to Travis. She took a cab to the airport, bought a ticket and flew to Norfolk airport. Then, she took a taxi to Norfolk base and stayed for two days in the hotel waiting for a MAC flight to Italy. She used her CAT V paperwork and got right on the plane no problem. Actually, she had to fly to Naples, then took a train to Sicily. I just read the link you sent me, and it confirms everything you just said. I wonder why this rule exists...If there is space...there is space, no matter where they go... Thank you for the information you have provided me. Since our plan worked last year, I think we might try to do it again.... What do you think??   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4547 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 06:20 am:    Thomas, Since she is going to be Cat-IV EML then she will not be able to travel across CONUS (as you are aware) and she will not be able to travel to Europe at all. Command Sponsored (CAT-V) dependents are authorized travel from their assigned theater (in this case PACOM) to CONUS, CONUS to their assigned theater, and within their assigned theater. They cannot travel to another theater (EUCOM). Please see the Space-A FAQ at article on non-command sponsored travel.   Thomas Huntt New member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2010 - 02:22 am:    Hmmm, I am on a ship right now, but not deployed more than 365 days. My ship would only write EML (CAT IV) paperwork for her for a flight that only goes to the States from Japan. BUT, my wife is going back home to Sicily, so she still needs more paperwork....SO, I have another paper that just says my wife is command sponsored, and because it isnt specific for destinations, she can use that to go anywhere...except from state to state. It will put her in CAT V status from the states to anywhere overseas. The only reason I ran the EML paperwork, is to get her bumped up a category for ease of travel out of Japan. As far as I know, when a spouse travels alone, they are not allowed to travel on AMC flights from state to state (unless with sponsor). that being said...If, lets say, she flies from japan to travis, she would have to buy a ticket from California to Virginia, then catch another AMC flight from Norfolk to Europe with the other paperwork , but as CAT V...NOT EML. What we are trying to do is fly from Yokota to Elmendorf, catch a flight from there to Dover. Drive to Norolk, then catch another flight AMC flight to Sigonella. I am very sorry I wasn't more clear on previous emails. I hope this clarifies my story, and if ANYONE has any suggestions or fixes to the flaws in my understanding of the "system", PLEASE let me know. Thank you very much to everyone!!   John D. Moderator Username: John_d Post Number: 4534 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 95.208.80.143 Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 01:46 pm:    Thomas said "I am deployed, and they are CAT IV from Japan to CONUS ONLY (also Alaska and Hawaii). From there, since she is alone, she is not allowed to travel across the states unless originating from an overseas location with her final destination being the last stop of THAT leg. Once she gets to the States, they will be CAT V to any other OCONUS destination." Thomas, what exactly is her Categrory as what you described above doesn't make sense? If she is Cat-IV because of your deployed status then she is allowed to travel across CONUS and OCONUS as a Cat-IV. If she is Cat-IV EML then she will not be able to travel across CONUS and she will not be able to travel to Europe at all.   Thomas Huntt New member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 - 08:49 am:    Thanks everyone for your reply. I guess my original email was pretty vague and made me sound pretty fresh. Actually, my wife and I are avid "space-A'rs". I am deployed, and they are CAT IV from Japan to CONUS ONLY (also alaska nad Hawaii). From there, since she is alone, she is not allowed to travel accross the states unless originating from an overseas location with her final destination being the last stop of THAT leg. Once she gets to the States, they will be CAT V to any other OCONUS destination. Norfolk is the only RELIABLE port to fly out of that consistantly goes to Sig. We are hoping that she can fly from Yokota to Elmendorf, then catch a RARE flight from there to Dover or Andrews (even more Rare) where my Mom from DC area can pick them up and drive them to Norfolk for a flight to Sig. I was just wondering if anyone has any comments, or better solutions to this one..... We are even hoping for an even "more RARE" opportunity that Yokota has a flight to dover. That would be awesome!! Please, if anyone has any suggestions, let me know. Im looking for the frequency of flights from Elmendorf to dover or andrews...if anyone knows, and how much it would cost my wife and baby son to stay there until such a flight occurs. Thanks everyone.   Rob-N-sig Advanced Member Username: Robnsig Post Number: 307 Registered: 12-2008 Posted From: 80.21.203.232 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 07:12 pm:    Thomas, I am not sure of the path to get from Japan to American but once your wife and son are stateside I would use this site to see what is leaving the west coast for Dover or Norfolk. Something else to check is Whidbey Isalnd, McCord, Travis and North Island San Diego. It seems possible to me to catch Navy C40s heading to the east coast or to Dallas/Ft Worth. From Dallas/Ft Worth you can see their flights heading to Europe. And once you get to Europe I am sure your dependents can get down from Rota, Ramstein or Naples, even Souda Bay. Good luck and take care.   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 6383 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 71.163.18.160 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 06:02 pm:    (Welcome aboard, Tom! I could be facetious and reply that the "best way...to travel from Japan to Sigonella" is with two confirmed seats in First Class on a commercial flight... but I won't, because I am sure you want to know about the best route via space-a! ;-D ) What is their space-a category? Are you SURE? Do you have documentation that verifies this category? Does it permit them to fly unaccompanied through more than one theatre of operations? This whole privilege (for unaccompanied dependents to fly space-a) came about after my husband hung up his spurs, so I truly do not know all the rules -- but the questions above concern me!   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2636 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 12:45 pm:    Thomas: 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. You do not indicate if you will be deployed during your dependents' travel. If not, your dependents will not be eligible to travel from one OCONUS theater to another OCONUS theater. If this is your situation, their travel (once they get to the CONUS), will be via commercial travel. (see JohnD's SpaceA FAQs above). Happy Travel,s John   dinotars Senior Member Username: Dinotars Post Number: 6723 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.169.151.24 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 12:39 pm:    Pat Ex Yokota-Seattle,Whidbey or McChord to the east coast.Try for a flight Norfolk to Sigonella.   Thomas Huntt New member Username: Batboy045 Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2009 Posted From: 205.56.145.34 Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2010 - 07:38 am:    Does anyone know the best way for My wife and 7 month old son to travel from Japan to Sigonella? I will not be traveling with them.