Take a 'hop' from Dover to tour U.S., Europe

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNEWS) --  Want to see the world?  Ready for a vacation? Members of the Dover Air Force Base's Air Passenger Terminal can help.

With flights throughout America and Europe, the Dover AFB Air Passenger Terminal may be the first place to start your journey as the staff helps move space-available travelers to several destinations daily.

The travel is space available; cargo or other mission requirements will be met prior to the 436th Aerial Port Squadron Air Passenger Terminal releasing seats for passengers. 

"I think Space-A is a significant benefit to military members," said Staff Sgt. Kim Salley. "I caught a Space-A flight from Ramstein (Air Base), Germany, to Charleston AFB, S.C., and visited family there. I was nervous about Space-A, but the whole process was easy."

Sergeant Salley, a weapons loader team chief stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, had never used Space-A travel before this trip. She was in transition here waiting for her flight back to Ramstein AB.

"It was easy for me because I was traveling alone and only needed one ticket," she said. "If I were a family of four or five, the competition for that many seats would be harder."

Although Sergeant Salley only required one space-available ticket, several other passengers who received seats on the same Ramstein AB flight were traveling with families.

"Sure, there are uncertainties of Space-A travel," said Army Sgt. Armando Melendez, a signal operator stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. "I have heard stories of people trying to travel with large families in the peak summer season and getting stranded."

The Soldier said planning ahead is the key for large families. February and March are normally slower for Space-A travel, and it is easier to get seats for his family of four.

"For us, the free flight for four is worth planning extra leave and possibly waiting in the terminals," he said. "Basically, the Air Force flew us here from San Antonio. Now, they are flying us to Ramstein, and the whole trip is free!"

Though the Melendez family was excited they benefited from the free air travel, they also were amazed by how friendly the Dover AFB APT staff was and how prepared the facility is for children.

"The 'Kids Room' was a lifesaver for us," said Martha Melendez, wife of Sergeant Melendez. "The kids just play and occupy themselves. At commercial airports, there isn't anything like this. Younger kids are often bored and sometimes fussing and crying. Here, my husband and I can relax and the kids can play. It is really a great stress reducer."

The children's room is a brightly-colored area, with walls adorned with murals depicting cartoon characters, highlighted with books, movies and play toys for the children. 

Though a company donated the decoration funds, the USO staff coordinated the voluntarily painting efforts, said Capt. Michael Wall, the 436th APS Passenger Services Flight commander. Donations like the children's room decorations have significantly benefited the passenger terminal. Donations and the volunteer staff are very important to operations.

"We currently have 12 regular volunteers," the captain said. "These folks are amazing. Most have worked here 10 or more years and literally know everything. They have networked valuable contacts at other passenger terminal locations and are really a great source of continuity."

There is always at least one military member working at the passenger service counter, Captain Wall said. However, in the busy summer months, when most of the Airmen are out on the flightline or building pallets, the customer service operations hinge on the volunteers.

"Sometimes the terminal gets jam-packed with travelers," he said. "The volunteers have gotten us out of these jams time and time again."

Airman 1st Class John Boyd, a 436th APS passenger service agent, agreed with his supervisor on the vitality of the volunteer staff. He said the USO is an all-volunteer operation and also stressed the need for motivated volunteers at the terminal's information counter.

"The information counter is the meat and potatoes of our operation," Airman Boyd said. "Passengers come to the information counter several times a day. We try to keep them all informed and provide any assistance we can to meet their needs. We strive to keep them happy."

Servicemembers around the globe take advantage of space available flights. Dover AFB is home to the largest aerial port servicing the continental U.S. and much of Europe. When planning a trip or vacation, it could be beneficial to check with the passenger terminal; it may have a flight heading in the same direction with space available.

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