Norfolk to Naples

Author Message   Justine New member Username: Jevirs Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2010 Posted From: 68.10.211.193 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 04:24 pm:    It sounds like I really have done all of the leg work possible. I have called and research all possible terminals, I have signed up for all of them as well. Printed out all potential AMCGRAM's, as well as have a good idea of what terminals fly where and about how often and I have been calling the Norfolk Terminal so I can start to see how often they fly to Naples. Now I guess it is just time to wait and see what happens. CAn I bring on a carry on (small suitcase) as well as a backpack? Oh and btw, I am trying to get on the PAt Express on the 13th so fingers crossed. But I will be calling all weekend to see what will be available out that way to possibly try and get out on an earlier one it I could. Thanks for all of your help!   Garee Michael Harrison Intermediate Member Username: Gareemharrison Post Number: 130 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 24.250.173.154 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 03:30 pm:    Justine, It is a good idea to sign up so your travel date is about 51-55 days. CAT 4 has a good chance. Call Oceana & Norfolk and get an idea of where there are flights. In the summer there are 2 wk. Active Duty flights and you may be lucky to find a squadron going to Sigonella, Rota, or Naples. Have you read all the FAQ's and read many of the Space A reports on pepperd. That will give you an idea of how to get to where you want to go. Also, read the flight schedules. I know it is maybe 48 hrs but it will give you a pattern. The Pat Exp from Norfolk flies every other Tuesday night. Last Naples flight was 15th and then again on the 29th. The other week it goes to Rota and Sigonella. From Sig. there are flights almost daily to Naples plus there is an airport at Cantania and AirItalia flies almost every hour. Norfolk is a good place to try to fly from because there are flights every week across the Med. Wish you good traveling mercies.   Justine New member Username: Jevirs Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2010 Posted From: 68.10.211.193 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 01:44 pm:    Good to know, I didn't think Oceana flew Internationally so thanks for the tip This will be my first time and just as I start to get comfortable with the idea of doing this I remember that its not guaranteed and its killing me having that not knowing feeling;) I am going to visited the deployed hubby so please keep your fingers crossed for me!   Vic and Connie Senior Member Username: Pattons Post Number: 540 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 72.218.14.250 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 01:29 pm:    You asked: How far in advance will they be able to tell me how many seats available? 72 hours? In my experience it varies. Sometimes I have been given an “estimate” as far as 72 hours in advance. Sometimes I’ve been told they can only give that info 24 hours in advance. As I understand the process NAVPTO (Navy Transportation Office) books seats for Space Required travel (the paying folks) and can do that up to 24 hours before the flight is scheduled to depart (maybe even closer that that). At about the 24 hours point the AMC Norfolk folks have some idea of how many seats have been “sold” which gives them an idea of the number which might be opened for Space Available pax. Even then nothing is all that firm. I’ve seen “0” seats turn into at least 26 and we still missed the cut. I’ve seen 99 seats turn into something significantly less but enough that we got on the flight. It wouldn’t hurt to check with Oceana late in the week before your first available date to travel. Once in a while they have a flight heading to Sigonella. Certainly not a high probability but worth checking.   Justine New member Username: Jevirs Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2010 Posted From: 68.10.211.193 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 01:07 pm:    Thank you so much and I am finding that this isn't the best time of year to get on that flight. But I am finding that I could catch something into Rota or Sigonella and I am willing to do that, but I am only open to travel the weekend of the 9th of July and if I can't find something before that Pat Express and then miss that flight I will completely miss my opportunity to get on. From what I am seeing on the history of the flights in other forums and from talking with the terminals it seems that they often fly from Rota and Sigonella to Naples but again you are right...they can not create open seats and that is what it all boils down too. How far in advance will they be able to tell me how many seats available? 72 hours?   Garee Michael Harrison Intermediate Member Username: Gareemharrison Post Number: 129 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 24.250.173.154 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 12:51 pm:    Justine, This is not the best time to try for Norfolk to Naples. How is your sign-up date? CAT 4 certainly will go before CAT 6 but there are a lot of people on PCS that go first. We have made that trip 9 times from Norfolk to Naples. We have family in Naples. Norfolk terminal is great and helpful but they can't create empty seats. Usually there are also flights to Rota and Sigonella which is close but then you will have to get a flight on to Naples. If I can help; send me a email at exaltedqueenmother@cox.net. I'll be glad to give any other information. If you should get on the Pat. Exp., it is a great flight. Re-fueling in Lajes and then 2 more hrs to Naples. I start calling Norfolk and talking to someone following a flight to find out how many seats and how far down the CAT's the call went. CarolinOcala   Justine New member Username: Jevirs Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2010 Posted From: 68.10.211.193 Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 - 12:39 pm:    Hi all, I first want to thank everyone for the abundance of information on this site! It has helped me out enormously. I am trying to catch the Pat Express, mid july as a Cat 4 and was curious if any of you have caught this routine flight? Or please fill me in with as many tips and tricks as you can, I need all the help I can get. I do plan to be in and out of the terminal all of the weekend before that flight to see if any others pop up going to Naples or nearby but I am just not that confident that something will come up. What are your experiences with the Norfolk terminal and traveling to Italy? Or what are your experiences with this pat express flight? Are there usually enough seats for a cat 4?