Discovering "Space A" Travel

Retirement certainly has it's benefits!   One of which is called "Space A" travel.  Since Steven is now a retiree I can travel with him on a military plane for FREE!   The term is called "taking a hop".  A really great benefit...as long as you have no deadlines to meet.  You have to be VERY flexible with your departure and arrival times, because the military flights go where they want to...not necessarily where you want to go!   :-)

Steven was anxious to try it out on our travel to Seattle (to head for our Alaskan cruise), so we opted not to purchase tickets on a commercial flight, hoping to save some bucks by flying for nothing.  The only problem is we did have a deadline this time, we did not want the cruise ship to sail without us.  So, he checked the flights leaving and we decided to leave a week early, just to assure we would be in position to get on our ship.   We drove the car to VB and spent a few days with Mama & Daddy, (certainly a perk for going early) and then headed for Dover Delaware to catch the first flight headed for Seattle.  The base provided long-term parking (free) so our car would be safe & secure until our arrival back.  

On "Space A", there are categories for travel, obviously the troops and their cargo go first, active duty dependents next, and retirees fall into category 6.   So, you wait until the others who also want to go to the same destination are accounted for and then you are given a ticket to ride.  If the plane fills, you come back the next day...or look for another airbase that may be flying to your destination.  (Remember the flexibility statement.)   But, (PTL) we got on!   And headed for Seattle.

Now, since this was our first experience with this mode of travel, we were very green and had no idea of the drill.  We boarded a C-17 plane, which afforded plenty of space to move about.  (In fact, I think I know how Jonah must have felt in the belly of that whale!)  It is a huge aircraft!  We were warmly greeted by the flight crew and made to feel very welcomed!  Once the pilot turned off the seatbelt sign, a funny thing happened.  All of the others flying with us began to open up their carry on luggage and pull out and blow up air mattress, floats, inflatable camping pads, etc.. and proceeded to pull out sleeping bags and pillows!!   It was hysterical!  Steven and I were the only ones who thought it was amusing...however, within minutes all of them were having the last laugh, as they spent the next 6 hours napping!   What a great idea!  Who knew??  First lesson learned!

We arrived at Lewis-McChord Air Base, tired from our days journey, but ready for our adventure to begin.  Got a room at the Evergreen Inn, on post.  And made a note to purchase air mattresses for our journey home!    :-)