Hopping, or flying using space-available military aircraft, is one of our most prized and minimally used benefits we enjoy as DOD and military members. Many people say they would like to hop, but never get around to doing it due to several reasons. First, they don't understand it, second they don't have the time, and third, they might just not know they can do it.

I wasted my first five years on active duty before I started hopping, and soon realized what a great benefit this is when planned for and used properly. Read ahead for a few moments as I try and explain some of the key points you need to know about hopping. I hope this will assist your efforts to use it and understand its capabilities and limitations.

Space available travel is a by-product of DOD's primary mission; moving space required cargo and passengers. DOD cannot guarantee seats to space available passengers (hoppers) and is not obligated to continue travel or return space available passengers to their original point of travel. Passengers may register for up to five (5) countries rather than specific destinations to permit greater travel opportunities. DOD reg. 4515.13-R governs policies of hopping.

All first time hoppers should procure a copy of 2 AMC pamphlets; the AMC passenger travel planner and space available travel information handbook. These discuss all of the important highlights I am about to discuss such as travel restrictions, priorities of travel and terminal locations.

You may now register using AMC Form 140 (Space Available Travel Request) at many Air Mobility Command (AMC)terminals by faxsimile, but will need to be present in person for initial manifest call. This is a great change from the past where you had to be present just to register. It is also very helpful as many terminals are not open 24 hours a day due to limited manning and flights. This form compiles personal information, travel status, dates of travel, country choices and family members traveling along. Most importantly, it establishes your sign-up date time group (DTG) used for determining priority within each class of travel. First come, first serve is the way to think of it. ENSURE you: get a confirmation stamp from the terminal passenger assistant or automatic stamping machine when signing up in person, or call back the terminal clerk after faxing your request to receive your confirmation DTG!!! Failing to do this may result in the loss of your registration DTG and your assignment of a new one at the time of manifest check-in.

Use your AMC handbooks as you sit down and plan your trip and flight routes in advance. These list all available terminals serving AMC passengers and provide a general listing of frequent connections and destinations. Let me provide an example to help you understand the concept. I am a soldier living in Kansas. I want to go to Hawaii. I am traveling single (this time first for simplicity). I look at my handout and see the area AMC terminals which are in my vicinity, and have connections to the west coast. I realize Scott AFB in Illinois will probrably be my best chance, as it has regularly scheduled C9 medivac flights to Travis, where I can get another flight to Hickham AFB in Hawaii. I call Scott to talk to the passenger assistant, and ask him the following questions. Do you have flights going to Hawaii, if not to major terminals which can get me there?? When are they? What is the average travel delay or number of days wait (for the time I expect to travel which is next week)? Are there any other terminals you know of that can get me there quicker or more reliably? Asking these types of questions helps you to refine your travel plans better. Terminals usually get flight information 48-72 hours in advance, but can tell you regularly scheduled flights that normally service their hub. For example, Scott has a C9 going to Travis three times a week normally. Clerks will also be able to tell you things like: travel has been very heavy lately, only emergency leaves have been getting on, or travel has been light and we're getting on retirees with only 3 days wait.

Back to registering... You must be in a leave or pass status at the time of sign up and remain in a leave or pass status throughout the waiting and travel periods. In other words, you can't fax in or personally sign up for a flight today to increase your DTG status, and then go on leave next week to show up and try to get on your flight. Some people try and do this and may actually get away with it, but most good terminal clerks review all applicants fairly, matching their Form 140s with their DD Form 93 (Leave statements). Risky business and unfair practices if you think you want to do this. Unless you live next to major hub with many flights such as Dover, Travis, or Charleston, it is often advisable to take leave for at least a few days prior to your flight date to sign up a few days in advance of your departure. Getting back to our example, I have been told by the terminal representative there should be a flight this Saturday from Scott to Travis, passenger load has been moderate to light, and I should get out that day (or at the latest the following Monday on the next probable and regularly scheduled flight). I have called Travis AFB and was told they have daily flights to Hawaii and are putting people out with only 1 day wait. I call Hickham AFB in Hawaii who tells me they have flights to Travis four times a week on average so I feel I'll be able to get back pretty reliably to Travis, and finally Scott told me initially their C9s come back from Travis to Scott three times a week also. This advanced planning gives me a good idea I should be able to get there and back with a reasonably small delay at best, and I have checked all hubs for connections to complete my trip.

I therefore sign out on leave on Wednesday and fax in my Form 140 to Scott AFB, establishing my DTG as 150700 Nov 97. Now I prepare and finalize plans for my trip, such as my means of getting to and from Scott, emergency plans if I can't get on the flight there and need to wait or come back, where I'll stay in Hawaii, rent a cars, etc. I decide to drive to Scott and leave my car in a designated, authorized parking area so it won't be towed and show up for initial manifest call Saturday am at 0900. I must have in my posession a: valid DD Form 2 (ID Card), DA Form 31 (Request and Authority for Leave) and my copy of my AMC Form 140 w/DTG. No ID or Leave form = No flight, don't even waste your time showing up. Emergency or Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) participants also must have supporting documents to obtain these travel priorities. At initial manifest call, the clerk will announce the flight and request all those seeking spaces to come forward and turn in their Form 140s. They will then group and prioritise all applicants based on category and DTG to determine who will get on the flight. Its no problem if there are more seats than passengers requesting travel; you will all get on. When there are more requests than seats, they take category 1 first based on DTG, then category 2 by DTG, etc. until they run out of seats. In other words, you can be a category 4 retired with 95 days advanced booking time, but will be bumped by an active duty soldier on ordinary leave with 1 day advanced registration if there are not enough seats. Lesson learned is DTG and priority are important but category priority carries more weight.

Fortunately today, there were 18 seats and only 12 applicants so we all get on and eagerly await flying free to Travis AFB in California. I pay my $3.50 or $4.00 (may have increased recently) for a nice Airforce boxed lunch during the flight and am told to check in my bag and report back at 1030 for showtime and departure to the aircraft. Lets take a moment to review the categories of travel.

-Category 1 (priority a). Emergency Leave, US citizen civilian employed by DOD or COast Guard stationed overseas, Full-time RedCross personnel serving overseas, dependants of members of military stationed CONUS having an emergency overseas, and dependants of US citizen DOD employees when both sponsor and family members are stationed overseas at the same location.

-Category 2A (priority c). Sponsors on EML and accompanied family members., DOD dependant school DODDS) teachers and their acompanied family members in EML status during school year holiday or vacation periods.

-Category 2B (priority d). Members of uniformed services in an ordinary or reenlistment leave status and uniformed services patients on convalescent leave; military personnel traveling on permissive TDY orders for house hunting; Bonafide family members up to age 23 of a miltary member accompanied by their sponsor who is in an ordinary leave status within overseas areas between overseas stations and air terminals in the CONUS.

-Category 2C (priority e). unaccompanied family members traveling in an EML status. Those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult family member traveling in an EML status; DODDS teachers or family members(accompanied or accompanied) in an EML status during summer break.

-Category 3 (priority f). Students of members of the armed forces when the sponsor is stationed in Alaska or Hawaii; student family members enrolled in a trade school in the CONUC when sponsor is stationed overseas; military personnel traveling on permissive TDY orders other than house hunting.

-Category 4 (priority r). Members of the Reserve Components; Retired Military posessing a DD Form 2; family members of retired members up to age 23 accompanying their sponsor.

I've highlighted several of the most common classes of travelers such as active duty ordinary and EML leave and retirees. NOTE: Travel of retired personnel and their family members is prohibited for personal gain or in connection with business enterprises or employment. Space available travel of family members not authorized within CONUC except as follows. They may now travel on domestic leg segments of international flights during the beginning and end of their international flight. For example, if a flight originates in Texas, goes to California and on to Hawaii, family members eligible for travel may fly from Texas to Hawaii. They may not, however, fly from just Texas to California.

You are authorized 2 peices of checked baggage, not to exceed 62 linear inches in size for a total of 66 pounds. Families may pool their total allowances. Traveling via smaller aircraft may be limited to less than 66 pouds (such as a C21).

Charges: Some hubs charge a $10.00 processing charge per passenger. Although this is the exception now, check with your terminal representative before you fly to confirm or deny this fee.

Getting back to my example, I get on my flight at Scott and proceed thru several states and stops until I arrive in Travis that evening. Some flights are direct, all the C9 medivacs make several stops in route until they reach their final destination. Fortunately, the flight didn't break down or get delayed en route. If it had, I would have been stranded en route and forced to wait for another flight or buy a civilian ticket to go on or get back home. Those are the breaks and risks of hopping. Thats why it's very important to try and fly through major hubs if possible. Its better to get bumped or dropped off at a big hub with connections than in east bum... where you are miles from the nearest city and airport. Plan wisely to avoid this expensive dilemna.

Upon my arrival in Travis, I check in at the service counter to try and get on the next thing flying to Hawaii. I have previously faxed my application from Illinois so I have an early DTG, if not my DTG for geting on at Scott will apply. I then show up at manifest and hope to get on and continue on to Hawaii. Another good reason to fly through major hubs is they are open 24 hours a day and have facilities such as snack bars, showers and sleeping areas. I also always call ahead to check with the post billeting offices to see if they expect vacancies with space available travelers. This is important to know if you have to stay overnight waiting for a flight.

Upon arriving at your final destination, immediately register for your flight back. If you have any doubt, just follow along with the crowd rushing through the terminal. Professional hoppers know this is a critical phase in trying to get back home. Once you have a valid DTG on you new Form 140, you may go and enjoy your vacation. Check in periodically to ensure flights and manifest times for your return flight home. Remember, don't cut yourself too short trying to get a flight out on the last day of your leave. Its better to take one a few days early and fly, than to be bumped or cancelled and run out of time. Always have your visa or mastercard ready to fly civilian if your flight falls through.

Some final helpful hints and rules of thumb for hopping:

-Be prepared to use alternate flight routes to get to your destination. Sometimes its quicker and more reliable to fly east to get west. Have your phone numbers handy to call ahead and have fall-back flight plans ready.

-Hop through big hubs if possible. Getting stranded there provides bigger and more facilities and a better chance of getting out sooner. Additionally, they are often close to a major civilian airport to fly out from.

-Traveling alone while on leave gets you there quicker. Plan further in advance when taking your family members and take more leave to ensure you get out in a timely manner.

-Always have a credit card handy for rentacars, hotels, civilian tickets and emergencies. Many items such as rental cars require a credit card and wont take cash.

-Don't wear sandals, beachcomers or any "open-toed" shoes. You will not be allowed on any flights with these.

-Do all your responsible drinking before you get on a flight. Don't ever take alcohol aboard with you unless its approved and located in your checked baggage.

-Don't forget about using Naval Air Stations (NAS) too for hopping. Its very similar to AMC using Airforce Bases and opens up a lot of locations to potential travel spots.

-Be careful during peak travel seasons like holidays and summer leave. These are often difficult to get out through unless on category 1 or 2.

-Don't forget your passports and visas when traveling OCONUS. Add an international driving license too so you can have an enjoyable vacation.

Here are some important OCONUS-Connecting phone numbers
Anderson AFB, Guam	DSN 366-5165
Andrews AFB	COMM: 301-981-6198
Aviano AB, Italy	DSN: 632-2520
Charleston AFB SC	DSN 678-3082/3083 COMM:803-554
Charleston Intl Airport	DSN 673-5794/5795
Diego Garcia	DSN 870-4132, ext. 2407
Dover, Delaware	DSN 455-2854/4088 COMM 302-677-
Elmendorf AFB, AK	DSN 317-4616 COMM 907-552-
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba	DSN 564-4063, ext. 6408
Hickham AFB, HI	DSN 430-0111, then 449-1270, COMM 808-449-
Kadena AFB, Japan	DSN 634-1281
Kunsan AB, Korea	DSN 272-2345
Los Angeles Intl Airport, CA	DSN 833-0715/0716 COMM 213-363-
McChord AFB, WA	DSN 976-2657 COMM 206-984-
McGuire AFB, NJ	DSN 440-3078 COMM 609-724-
Naples Italy	DSN 625-5240
Osan, AFB Korea	DSN 271-1234 ext. 6651
Patrick AFB, FL	DSN 854-5631
Ramstein AB GE	DSN 480-5363
Rhein-Main AB GE	DSN 330-7476/7477
Rosy Roads, PR	DSN 831-4383/4263
Scott AFB IL	DSN 576-4042 COMM 618-256-
Travis AFB CA	DSN 837-1892/3071 COMM 707-438-
Yokota AB Japan	DSN 225-7119

Some more CONUS phone numbers
Alameda NAS CA	DSN 686-3530 COMM 415-869-
Andrews AFB MD	DSN 858-1854 COMM 301-981-
Atlanta NAS GA	925-4903 COMM 404-421-
Beale AFB CA	DSN 368-2700 COMM 916-634-
Davis Monthan AFB AZ	DSN 361-3641 COMM 602-750-
Hanscom AFB MA	DSN 478-3333 COMM 617-377-
Key West NAS FL	DSN 483-2769/2751 COMM 305-292-
Pope AFB NC	DSN 486-4429 COMM 910-394-