How To Fly Space-A.

We've only done one Space-A trip.  It was from Charleston, South Carolina, to Rota, Spain, with a return to the US from England to Andrews AFB.  Flying there entailed all the horrors of Space A... two days of breaking aircraft, canceled flights, and unavailable seats.  The return flight was a breeze!  We showed up at the terminal and got on the first flight to the US.  Flight Number One was in a C-5 full of Humvees, and hot as Hades.  Flight Number Two was on a smaller aircraft with very cold jump seats.  In return for all the inconvenience, we flew to Europe and back for free- the kind of siren song that lures American military and their dependents to roll the dice.  

This trip was also taken pre-Little Tofu Fox, on a much shorter trans-Atlantic flight.  If you are thinking about a trans-Pacific Space A flight with kids, you are a braver soul than I.  Not because of the actual aircraft...if you have kids, you may end up with  extra seats and pilots who let your kids peek at the controls.  The downside of Space A from Japan is when you end up spending a random week in Alaska.  Never forget, when you travel Space A, you are hitching a ride on an aircraft with a military job.

I can drag Little TF on many, many adventures; but, when it is a jet-lagged adventure, it's time for a cost-benefit analysis.  For me, the potential for stress just isn't worth it. Our  flights between the US and Japan have all been commercial.  Commercial flights aren't free, but at least you're (mostly) guaranteed only about 18-24 hours of traveling misery.  And eager grandparents are hopefully on one end to help you recover.  If you do decide to Space A to the States from Japan, be aware that summer vacation and Christmas vacation can clog up the system considerably.

The Air Force C-5, our free (and sweaty) ride to Spain.

For the remainder of this post, allow me to refer you to my good friend Peyton's blog!  Peyton and I were introduced to each other in San Diego. We moved to Japan and she and her husband moved to Guam at about the same time. Asia adventures ensued!  She took a Space A flight to visit me in Japan during Mr. TF's first deployment in 2010.  When I decided to evacuate Little TF and myself post-Tohoku Earthquake (our base detected low levels of radiation), Guam was the first commercial flight we could catch out of Japan.  Then, this past summer, Little TF and I met up with Peyton and some other Guam Girls in Seoul, South Korea!

In addition to Asia adventures, Peyton also Space As to the States like it's her job (let's be honest, figuring out how to take proper advantage of our military benefits practically is a job).  So, if you want to get the scoop on Space A, check it out here. Some of it is in regards to getting in and out of Guam, but most of the info is general Space A stuff. If you want to get the scoop on Guam living, definitely check out the rest of her blog.  Peyton, in addition to being my friend and Space A Expert, is also the genius behind The Fresh Factor, a regular feature of Guam Guide.

When you think about it, the collective, global knowledge of military spouses is stupifying, right?

Ganbatte!

-The Tofu Fox

Space A destinations from Japan include the Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, South Korea, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, etc.  

Disclaimer:  I do my best to make sure all my information is accurate.  However, details may change or I may just be flat-out wrong.  Please let me know if something needs a correction.  Thank-you!