I know searching stinks, so if you have a COT question for 10-04....

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Stick it here and I'll answer what I can. I know the search isn't always useful, but try that first, and then if you have any questions feel free to post. I'm off on Sunday and Tuesday of this week (10 April 2010).

Specializes in OR, Clinic, Med-Surg.

Logistics Logistics Logistics!!! Yikes! Help?

Ok. So after some reading on this thread I have a couple questions.

I was planning to fly to COT. (10-06 class) How much should/am I allowed to bring with me? I was planning to leave directly from there to go to NTP in Scottsdale, AZ. I cannot drive because my car is VERY close to junkyard status and who wants to drive from OH to AL to AZ with NO AC and in the dead of summer/early fall. I would consider buying/leasing a car but my 1st assignment is EONS away in Alaska! (yeah talk about the extremes! From the Burning Desert to Igloo living, lol) Of course I was planning to utilize the moving service the AF offers. I wanted to have as much of my stuff as possible moved for me. Therefore I won't have access to much of my belongings until December, when I will arrive at Elmendorf. So please any suggestions/info/websites/direction would be greatly appreciated!

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Check your airline. You're permitted two bags if you're traveling on orders and you're not charged for any of them under Federal law. I'd call whoever I'm flying with and ask about additional bags, because my guess is you're going to need more than what two will hold. Print this policy from your airline's website and have it on you in case you run into an idiot behind the ticket desk (believe me, it happens). When you call the airline, tell them you have two regular suitcases and an "A" bag or military duffel bag. For some reason I've had that make a difference since the "A" bag is considered "official", and you will have one because you'll have to buy one for COT.

If you've never packed a military duffel, you're in for a real treat, because you can stuff the crap out of that thing with room to spare. ALL of your uniform stuff (except, of course, your mess dress and your service dress coat) will fit in that duffel. I had six uniforms, plus blues, plus all the crap, and all of that fit in the duffel when I left COT.

Also - get in touch with your sponsor at your base and find out if you can ship some stuff to them ahead of time. The AF will reimburse these charges as a partial DITY move, and Alaska is an APO/FPO location, so that means you only pay to ship the packages to New York (or California - I'm not sure where Alaska's depot is), and after that you're not charged because it goes by military airlift. My point is, you won't pay the going rate for packages to Alaska. Usually sponsors are more than happy to help with this sort of thing.

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I'm going to correct myself.

I typically fly American Airlines because I have thousands of miles with them. Here's what's on their website, and my guess is this is true across the board - but CALL YOUR AIRLINE.

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Military Baggage

Active U.S. Military personnel are allowed to check three pieces of baggage free of charge.

Each checked bag in the free allowance may be up to 62 inches and weigh up to 50 lbs. The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.

Active U.S. Military personnel traveling on orders are allowed one bag in the free allowance up to 100 lbs. and 115 inches. The second and third bags are free of charge up to 50lbs. and 62 inches. Travel orders must be presented when checking the bag.

The 70 lb. maximum bag weight limit for Europe and Asia does not apply for U.S. military baggage if traveling on orders.

Military ID must be presented. Traveling in uniform is not required.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I've checked mulitple airlines. The standards of American Airlines were what the other's I checked were too. My orders state that I can have 2 bags up to 70 lbs and that any fees would be reimburseable. I would rather carry 3 up to 50 personally. lol.

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i was given a separation code of gda? no one knows what it means. is it a typo? can you pm me please

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i was given a separation code of gda? no one knows what it means. is it a typo? can you pm me please

pm'd you.

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I've checked mulitple airlines. The standards of American Airlines were what the other's I checked were too. My orders state that I can have 2 bags up to 70 lbs and that any fees would be reimburseable. I would rather carry 3 up to 50 personally. lol.

What your orders are telling you is what the Air Force will pay for in the event you're charged. If the airlines permit more, than what the airlines are allowing is what you can take.

Essentially your orders are saying they'll pay fees for two bags, but not for two bags over whatever the airlines are allowing you to take for free. So the airlines are saying you can take three - so you can take three - because the airlines are not going to bill you for the three bags. Take three if you need to. You're fine.

Orders have said that for years and years and years and years.....my orders when I was enlisted said that. Federal law has changed because the airlines were trying to nail the US military and the FAA said, hold up a second....

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Sorry to change subjects here, but it's 10 days before COT. I have not been contacted by my sponsor from NTP. is this normal?

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Nope, it's not - and at any rate it shouldn't be. Let your recruiter know and make them get in touch with NTP for you.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I am not sure what to do with my sponsor. I do have one. am I supposed to call her when I get to town? I have used my own personal sponsor and went around them (lol, Pooh!). Do I have some specific responsiblity to do with her? Or is she just a resource?

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They have a responsibility to you - you have none to them.

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Specializes in L&D, mother/baby, antepartum.
I've checked mulitple airlines. The standards of American Airlines were what the other's I checked were too. My orders state that I can have 2 bags up to 70 lbs and that any fees would be reimburseable. I would rather carry 3 up to 50 personally. lol.

When you travel on the AF dime you should never have to pay the baggage fee. When you go to check in, tell them you are active duty then show your ID and/or orders and they will waive the fee on the spot. I fly United every time I go TDY and they charge some crazy fee for baggage. I've never had to pay it because I had my ID with me. I've even known people to show their ID to get out of fees when they are on personal travel. I'm not saying it's right, just saying that people do it....

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