Availability of DV Rooms at AF Bases

Author Message   Jack T. Paxton Senior Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 864 Registered: 07-2003 Posted From: 24.27.231.67 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 07:53 pm:    I have said this in many prior posts: When you treat the desk clerks with a smile and a willingness to accept the fact that he/she has already had a bad day, you will get preferential treatment. Do unto others...you bet! I have been space-a-ing longer than most and I can guarantee it!!!   Tony Lee Member Username: Fototaker Post Number: 24 Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 79.108.47.177 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 07:05 am:    I agree!! ATTITuDE is everything!!!   L Greer Member Username: 141fe Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2010 Posted From: 80.148.16.7 Posted on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 07:00 am:    To add to Steve McCoy's and Barry Cantor's earlier comments. As Barry Cantor pointed out, "We are a non-appropriated fund operation...if we don't sell the room, we don't get the revenue." I concur - I'm an E8 on leave with my spouse and we walked into Ramstein lodging at 8:30 last night with no resv. To my surprise they put us in a DV suite at the Cannon. The desk clerk said "we may as well sell the room rather than let the revenue go off base". Most of lodging now is operated more like a business than it used to be as they stuggle to meet the bottom line with all the budget cuts. I also concur with Barry that it always helps to be very very nice and strike up conversation with the clerks as well as showing flexability. She apologized that we would have to wait 2 hrs to get into the room while the desk clerk cleaned it as there was a staff shortage. I even said I'd be happy to help clean the room (I really would have too) - they went out of thier way and got the room ready earlier for us. Most of life is all about attitude including lodging!   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 6199 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 07:54 pm:    Yeah, in the Navy it would be a Flag Officer. I've never heard them being referred to as an "FO" though. Of course, that can mean many other things, so it would probably just confuse things.   Jim D Member Username: Amdjmd Post Number: 17 Registered: 07-2008 Posted From: 68.4.72.148 Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2010 - 07:09 pm:    To pick a nit- GO stands for General Officer, not Admiral.   Mike Schukert Senior Member Username: Mike_s Post Number: 488 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 74.243.10.215 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 07:43 pm:    Admiral Fry: Might you be in contact with any of the Navy's Gateway Inn pricing decision makers? If so, I, and probably a lot of other retirees, would like to know the rationale behind the huge increase in the Navy's lodging costs at most, if not all, of its eastern seaboard installations.   alan k. fry Member Username: Alnjudigmailcom Post Number: 24 Registered: 08-2008 Posted From: 67.239.61.169 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 06:01 pm:    This is in reference to Hobart's question. I am a retired flag officer and travel with a retired 0-5 and our wives. I usually do not ask for DV quarters, but frequently when I tell them my rank at they transfer me to protocol if I want it or not. Frequently it works better as we get a suite with two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, and a living room for less than 2 rooms. ( I don't know why I don't always ask). Recently I could not get a room , so I told them I was a GO. We immediately got two nice rooms that the post commander had kept for DVs. I don't like to "pull rank", but it does work.   Mike Schukert Senior Member Username: Mike_s Post Number: 487 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 74.243.10.215 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 05:22 pm:    We just flew out of NAS Oceana where Gateway Inn rooms go for $56 (regular), and $66 (Suite). We didn't qualify gradewise for Navy DV lodging; but, interestingly, we were able to sweet talk the Langley AFB receptionist into a DV room the previous day for $48. Regular Air Force VOQ rooms go for $38. I'm pretty sure that this Air Force-Navy lodging price disparity prevails at most if not all east coast locations. Although we prefer flying in Navy aircraft, as long as we have wheels choosing between Air Force and Navy lodging in the future will be a no-brainer!   steve mccoy Member Username: Nuhusker Post Number: 47 Registered: 04-2009 Posted From: 173.27.221.113 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 01:54 am:    Air Force Base Lodging has suites normally reserved for use by E-9 and O-6 or above. My experience has been that I can call Base/Wing Command Chief's office and if a "Chiefs Suite" is available, they set up my reservation with the Lodging office. If these DV suites are not reserved by E-9 and O-6 or above, they are likely used for other ranks. As Barry Cantor pointed out, "We are a non-appropriated fund operation...if we don't sell the room, we don't get the revenue."   Bill Docekal Intermediate Member Username: Bill_d1 Post Number: 121 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 76.186.199.157 Posted on Sunday, May 02, 2010 - 01:21 am:    RHIP   Jeff Glanzer Intermediate Member Username: Jlglanzer Post Number: 146 Registered: 04-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.12 Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2010 - 10:18 pm:    About 4 years ago my wife and I went to Cannon AFB, my son lived on base but didn't have a guest room so we tried to get into the base lodging and as it would be it was full. My son's neighbor was the Services Squadron commander so my son called him told him what the situation was and my wife and I stayed in DV quarters for 4 days. (E-7 retired)   William Dimsdale Member Username: Mebillyd Post Number: 42 Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 74.196.60.127 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 02:02 pm:    Does anyone know if Protocol will give unused DV units to non-DVs? Or is Protocol primarily an information and reservation service for DVs?   DeeDee Clarke Senior Member Username: Deedee Post Number: 621 Registered: 05-2004 Posted From: 67.11.180.124 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 12:14 pm:    It is not uncommon for protocol to control the DV lodging at AF bases.   Roger Johnson Advanced Member Username: Rwjohn6 Post Number: 323 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 71.41.225.147 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 12:04 pm:    Barry are you saying you must contact protocol to get DV at Patrick. Roger in Fl   Roger Johnson Advanced Member Username: Rwjohn6 Post Number: 322 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 71.41.225.147 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 10:31 am:    Barry, are you saying you can not give out DV suites but must be done thru protocol? Roger in Fl   PR Senior Member Username: Pretzlaff Post Number: 1652 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 67.190.52.82 Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 01:05 am:    I have gotten DV suites at about a dozen places. I do not 'qualify' by rank. I am usually very, very nice on check in, and always say that "I am happy to pay for a suite". I say that if I already have a reservation. If I don't have a reservations, I say that 'I am happy to stay in a junior enlisted room, or pay for a suite'. I think my show of flexiblity tends to put the staff in a good mood and they end up not only finding me a room with no reservation, but they go ahead and 'break out' the DV suites. Now that I think about it, Barry has reminded me that I have never stayed or tried to stay at one of these more than a single night. I have talked to several Inn reception staff who say that they get in trouble with customers for just about everything. Higher ranking people storm out when told that only a junior enlisted room is available....and, others get mad when only a suite is available but is $10 more per night. So, the trick is to show up a little late, be nice, and ask 'for a suite'. I don't think that I would explicitly ask for a 'DV suite'. The other trick is to show up off season. Nobody with any rank is at the Air Force Academy on the weekend in February. That is the time to go. The best so far in my travels has been the Air Force Academy. The 'named' suites are just gorgeous. The 'maxibar' actually has full sized bottles of wine. The worst was the 'Midway' suite or whatever it is called at Andrews in the Navy building. It was in poorer condition than most regular AF rooms. Singapore has frozen beer mugs in their DV suites. Tinker has leather furniture. McChord has a dining room with 7 place settings and robes. McGuire has an elaborate bar. Each is quite nice and quite different. So.... Barry, when I get to Florida,...I would be happy to pay for a suite....   Barry Cantor Senior Member Username: Barry_c Post Number: 999 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 66.194.158.66 Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 10:50 pm:    A word about sundries, at least in USAF lodging, since I work for lodging. Sundries in the DV suites are usually inventoried and refilled daily. When you check out, you usually have an express checkout packet which includes a credit card slip. Here at PAFB, FL the guest can leave the money, write a check or fill in the credit card slip, leave that plus the key by the phone and we ask you call the front desk and tell them you are leaving. Then we notify housekeeping so they can go over and clean the unit. As to who gets a DV suite....We are a non-appropriated fund operation...if we don't sell the room, we don't get the revenue. Here at Patrick AFB, we have the leeway to rent the room for 1 night after 5 PM for one night. More than that, O-6 and above and E-9's must contact Protocol.   FHYL Advanced Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 367 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.131.47 Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 05:59 pm:    Correct, it's an honor system. There is an inventory list of what is available. You eat and drink to your hearts delight, mark what you consummed on the list and either pay by leaving the money in the envelope (and you take your receipt copy) or pay at registration desk when checking out. Works great, and saves chasing around at the exchange, commissary, shoppette or off base.   Joan Advanced Member Username: Joan Post Number: 299 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 71.212.50.20 Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 05:22 pm:    the things to eat and drink are added to one's tab, correct?   Jt Member Username: Jt Post Number: 37 Registered: 07-2008 Posted From: 24.255.112.222 Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 12:42 am:    I showed up one time for a room at March and somehow I ended up with a DV without asking. My husband is a retired O-5. The room was great! Stocked with many things to eat and if my memory is correct things to drink. It was a one bedroom with a living room with a pull-out couch with a tv in each room.   Hobart Rogers Member Username: Bartman Post Number: 21 Registered: 06-2008 Posted From: 98.252.36.15 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 10:45 pm:    I notice in the Temporary Military Lodging guide put out by Military Living that some bases mention that you should go through the Protocol Office for DV housing and some do not mention going through the Protocol Office. Do you recommend going through Protocol or not? Is there an advantage or not?   Ed Williams Senior Member Username: Hooter55 Post Number: 706 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 24.96.140.175 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 09:59 am:    Travelling in Govt. Civilian status represents its own problems in this case. Most folks don't know how to "translate" the civilian ranks over to the military. In any case, every time I've asked for DV, I've gotten it. If I ever get the "no go", then at least I asked.   Jack Wanless Senior Member Username: Jack646 Post Number: 1798 Registered: 02-2007 Posted From: 99.194.228.42 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 06:11 am:    A couple of years ago while transitting MacDill, I was told there were no rooms even after the 1800 time to check for cancellations... When I asked if there was anything, even a closet would do..... They offered a DV suite.. Pay as u go bar in the fridge, newspaper at your door in the morning... Worked for me...   FHYL Advanced Member Username: Fhyl Post Number: 364 Registered: 11-2008 Posted From: 68.68.131.47 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 12:44 am:    I've found the same as JTPax. When no rooms are available and it's late in the pm, I ask if DV billiting is available. The worst case answer of "Not available" or "No can do", is the same result as if I had not asked. In every case so far, the DV billets are way more than I/we need. But, it's a place to sleep.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1494 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 209.168.248.49 Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 12:43 am:    Merv, the two that come quickly to mind that do not make exceptions to the DV policy are the Washington Navy Yard and the Canon Hotel at Ramstein. The Navy Yard admits only flag officers while the Canon allows only 0-6s and above. There are probably many more.   Mervin J LeBlanc Senior Member Username: Merv Post Number: 476 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 74.248.126.191 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 08:06 pm:    William - I will probably be staying at Peterson in June, depending on availability. Being a retired CW5, Air Force bases normally treat me the same as an E-9 or 0-6 for quarters. I didn't know they had cottages at Peterson, can you tell me hom much they charged you for one?   Jack T. Paxton Senior Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 814 Registered: 07-2003 Posted From: 24.27.231.67 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 03:29 pm:    I think you will find it is up to individual commands. I have stayed many times in DV suites both at Air Force and Naval installations. I have also been refused DV suites at both. Generally you will be referred to the Protocol Office. In several instances, after being referred to Protocol, I was given a DV suite. I think it many times depends on projected input.   William Dimsdale Member Username: Mebillyd Post Number: 38 Registered: 03-2009 Posted From: 63.151.64.135 Posted on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 02:12 pm:    I resently stayed at a lovely DV cottage at Peterson AFB. All The regular rooms were booked but they told me they could release the DV quarters to a non DV after 1600 if available. I checked the guest log in the DV cottage and it looked like non DV retired and active officers and enlisted had also been given access. Does anyone know if this policy is AF wide?