Military Hops

[settles]

We are looking at doing a Military Hop any advice or suggestions??

[Ashwee]

What the heck is a Military Hop?

[settles]

Originally Posted by Ashwee What the heck is a Military Hop?

Basically military members and dependents can travel on any military flight (from post to post) if there is room available for very very cheap. It isn't guaranteed when and if there will be room for you to ride.

But if you have plenty of time to vaca it's great to take advantage of the price!

[eelo]

Originally Posted by settles We are looking at doing a Military Hop any advice or suggestions??

I used MAC to go from Norfolk to Spain and back; it was great! Every person on the aircraft had an entire row to stretch out in, we all purchased our snacks for the flight(s). Did an overnight at Lajes Field in the Azores, then on to Rota. On the return trip we stopped for fuel at Gander, newfoundland for a couple hours, then home that night; I was the only space-A passenger on the return trip. No problems for me.

I researched and kept a calendar of flights, calling the AMC terminal every couple days to see what their schedule was (they had a recording for the next 72 hours of incoming/outgoing flights). I think you can get flight information online now.

Good military terminals to check are NAS Norfolk , Dover Air Base on the east coast, and also Atlanta and BWI. West coast go out of LAX mostly, but also some of the bases in Washington.

Have you thought about where and when you'd like to go? Staying in the US or going overseas? Europe or Asia?

[Fashionista]

that sounds fun!

[CMillardA]

Never heard of this before but it sounds like a great idea if you have the vacation days to use.

[NocturneSiren]

It sounds like an awesome idea! Any links to be had?

[settles]

Originally Posted by eelo I used MAC to go from Norfolk to Spain and back; it was great! Every person on the aircraft had an entire row to stretch out in, we all purchased our snacks for the flight(s). Did an overnight at Lajes Field in the Azores, then on to Rota. On the return trip we stopped for fuel at Gander, newfoundland for a couple hours, then home that night; I was the only space-A passenger on the return trip. No problems for me. I researched and kept a calendar of flights, calling the AMC terminal every couple days to see what their schedule was (they had a recording for the next 72 hours of incoming/outgoing flights). I think you can get flight information online now. Good military terminals to check are NAS Norfolk , Dover Air Base on the east coast, and also Atlanta and BWI. West coast go out of LAX mostly, but also some of the bases in Washington. Have you thought about where and when you'd like to go? Staying in the US or going overseas? Europe or Asia?

Thanks Eelo! I'm going to look into NAS Norfolk and Dover!
We are pcsing in December but dh doesn't have to report til Feb, he has plenty of leave saved up so we are thinking we should go to Europe while we have the chance (no kids, plenty of leave, no work etc etc..).
I'm not good at flying, in fact... I HATE IT! So this should be interesting

[Songtan Sally]

If you "hop" to Korea, you have a free place to stay here!
I haven't done it yet, but I would imagine and advise that you have plenty of cash with you as well as a good credit card. There's always the possibility that you might get stuck somewhere for a while (hours, days) and you'll need to be able to handle that KWIM?

[Elizabeth]

Def be prepared to pay for flights back! I know plenty who have got somewhere, enjoyed their time, but then couldn't get on a flight back home. And be prepared to do some funny maneuvering... I have a gf who ended up taking a ferry to another base to get on a flight.