MCB Camp Pendleton

To make arrangements for car rental and hotel accommodations under Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, members should call the Commercial Travel Office (CTO) Scheduled Airline Travel Office (SATO) at 1-866-950-1640. Hours of operation are from 0800 to 1630. To request travel outside of DTS you must go to the Passenger Travel Office Bldg. 2263 and fill out a Travel Request form.

Reservations can also be made online at the SATO website, www.SATOTravel.com

Once you have your ticket, you can view the itinerary at https://www.viewtrip.com/ViewTrip.asp

Reservations must comply with orders, and the use of contract carrier is mandatory.
 

DMOs are directed by the Defense Traffic Management Regulation (DTR), MCO P4600.14 to comply with and enforce the policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to defense sponsored travel and transportation. This includes determining the availability or non-availability of government air transportation in connection with arranging international or transoceanic travel.

Air Mobility Command-Patriot Express
SEATTLE-TACOMA INTL / AMC PASSENGER GATEWAY
Website: www.amc.af.mil/amctravel // Email Address: Seattle.Gateway@us.af.mil
Operating Hours: 0700-1600, 7 days a week evenings on the nights of departures.
Phone : 253-982-3504 Fax: 253-982-3243 Recording: 253-982-0555
DSN: 382-XXXX
After 0100 on nights of flights please call 253-508-9547

Flight Destinations
• SeaTac only has departures to Japan and Korea as follows:
  -Sunday: Misawa, Osan
  -Tuesday: Yokota, Osan
  -Thursday: Yokota, Iwakuni, Kadena

See the SeaTac Patriot Express Flier (as of Mar 15) - contains generic schedule and Space-A Roll Call info. Roll Call Time can be 0430 or 0530 based on time of year (due to Daylight Savings Time).  NOTE - KUNSAN was dropped from the routes in October 2013

SEATTLE-TACOMA (SEA-TAC) INTL GATEWAY
AMC flights in/out of SEA-TAC serve bases in Japan and Korea exclusively. Check-in counters for duty passengers are located adjacent to HAWAIIAN AIRLINES. Check-in time begins 6 hrs prior to departure. Duty passengers must be in line No Later Than (NLT) 3 hrs 20 mins prior to scheduled departure. Space-A roll calls are conducted 3 hrs prior to departure at counters on the ticketing level. Currently, all departures are scheduled between 08:30L and 08:50L PDT on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

SEA-TAC AREA LODGING (partial listing)
Best Western: 425-226-1812 Clarion: 206-242-0200 (pets) Comfort Inn: 206-878-1100
Double Tree: 506-246-8600 Holiday Inn: 206-248-1000 La Quinta: 206-241-5211(pets)
Radisson: 206-244-6666(pets) Ramada Limited: 206-244-8800(pets) Red Lion: 206-246-9733(pets)
Red Roof Inn: 206-248-0981(pets)

BORDER CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
Please ensure you have all required documents prior to show times (i.e., ID, passports, orders, etc.). To travel, active duty military require Military ID, civilians require passports and dependents aged 10 & over require dependent ID cards. Requirements are NOT negotiable. Also, duty passengers must provide a copy of their PCS/travel orders at check-in. U.S. Department of State Seattle Passport Office: 206-808-5700.
Foreign Clearance Guide: www.fcg.pentagon.mil/fcg/fcg.htm

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE/RESTRICTIONS
All passengers are allowed 2 free checked bags (70 lbs each, 140 lbs total). Size limit is 62 linear inches. Duty passengers are allowed excess baggage, but fees apply. Tariff rate is currently $116 for each excess bag/$116 for each overweight bag. Some exceptions apply. Note: tariff rate subject to change without notice.
Each passenger is permitted to hand-carry one article (small luggage, garment bag, backpack, etc.) and one personal item (cosmetic case, purse, briefcase, small box, package, etc.) for storage in the passenger cabin area. The weight of these items shall not be considered as part of the passenger’s baggage authorization. Hand-carried items shall be no larger than 45 linear inches and must fit under the passenger’s seat or in the overhead compartment.
For carry-on/checked prohibited items guidance see: http://www.tsa.gov

ADDITIONAL TARIFFS/FEES
Space-A Head Tax: $16.10 per person
Pet Fees: 0-70 lbs = $116, 71-140 lbs = $232, 141-150 lbs (max) = $348

The USO Northwest’s Sea-Tac Center at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport provides military members and their families with these amenities.

Food & Beverages
• Beverages
• Coffee & Tea
• Snacks

Connectivity
• CAC Readers
• Charging Stations
• Computers & Laptops
• DSN Phone
• Fax Machines
• Phones
• Printers
• Skype
• Wi-Fi

Multimedia & Gaming
• TV & Cable
• Xbox One

Rest & Relaxation
• Bathrooms
• Beds & Bunks
• Board & Table Games
• Children’s Play Area
• Event & Sports Tickets
• Library
• Lounge
• Playing Cards
• Showers
• Toiletries

Travel Services & Gifts
• Flight Time Boards
• Greeting Cards
• Information Desk
• Local Information
• Lost & Found
• Luggage Storage
• Open 24 Hours
• Transportation Information

Please reference and utilize the links provided below.
https://www.facebook.com/SeaTacAmcPassengerTerminal/
https://northwest.uso.org/sea-tac
https://www.portseattle.org/sea-tac
http://www.spacea.net/seattle-tacoma-iap-seatac
http://www.mcchord.af.mil/About-Us/Space-A/

Transportation is an entitlement for travel of civilians, military personnel and/or dependents. The nature (accompanied/unaccompanied) and duration of the individual's assignment to a particular station determine the legal right to one or more of the allowances. Travel and transportation allowances authorized at government expense for military and civilian personnel are prescribed by DTMO, Volume 1 and JTR Volume 2.

The DTMO and DTMO are implemented by the Secretaries of the Armed Services in accordance with authority contained in public law. They are regarded as statutory regulations having the force and effect of law. The DTMO must be used in determining entitlement of military and civilian personnel of the Marine Corps to travel and transportation allowances at government expense.

Marine Corps policy requires travel be directed only when it is in the best interest of the government.

Official orders establish the authorization for official travel and transportation at the government’s expense and provides the basis for the traveler's reimbursement. Original orders must be endorsed to describe transportation furnished. Personnel traveling on official business are expected to exercise prudence in incurring travel expenses.

Commercial transportation shall be employed for the travel of persons between points within CONUS when such transportation is readily available and capable of meeting mission requirements. Travel by other modes, such as passenger vehicle, may be authorized as advantageous only when the use of common carrier transportation would seriously interfere with the performance of official business, impose an undue hardship on the traveler, or when the total cost by common carrier would exceed the cost by some other method of transportation.

Order writing activities/administrative officers and individuals shall contact the Passenger Travel section 760-725-8635/8637 to identify travel requirements as soon as Official or Web orders are received.

Air Mobility Command (AMC) is mandated for all service members traveling to an overseas (OCONUS) location.

The commercial transportation industry is an important supplement to the Defense Transportation System, and interface with the industry must be made in a responsible manner. When commercial carriers offer assets in response to valid DoD requirements, these assets are unavailable for commercial use. The carrier is, in many cases, turning away potential revenue from the civilian sector in order to move military requirements. If reservations are canceled at the last minute, the carrier either is unable to sell or has difficulty selling seats. Accordingly, when commercial reservations are made, there must be a valid requirement and a clear intent to execute the travel via this means. Without the utmost of integrity in dealing with commercial carriers, DMO's cannot establish the credibility and trust essential in time of actual emergency.

All Marine Corps sponsored travelers, to include infants, are entitled to a separate seat when traveling on government and government-procured transportation. Infants shall be transported in appropriate infant seats for safety purposes.

The government remains obligated to use contract carriers unless they fail to meet mission needs or qualify under one of the exceptions listed below.

• Space or scheduled flights were not available in time to accomplish the purpose of travel.
• Use of contract service would require the traveler to incur unnecessary overnight lodging costs which would increase the total cost of the trip; or
• The contractor's flight schedule is inconsistent with/will not meet mission requirements or where applicable, does not allow travel during normal working hours; or
• A non-contract carrier offers a lower fare available to the general public, the use of which will result in a lower total trip cost to the Government, to include the combined costs of transportation, lodging, meals and related expenses, provided the unit is prepared to accept the penalties when this travel is selected and subsequently cancelled for any reason.

http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/citypairs/search/

Carrier tariffs prohibit use of contract fares for circuitous travel and personal use. Transportation costs in excess of transportation from origin to destination via the most direct route cannot be charged to the GTR.

Airlines offer restricted fares at a far lower price than unrestricted fares. These fares are often cheaper than government contract fares; however, the restrictions make them an undesirable option. The restrictions may include various travel requirements such as round trip and minimum stay, as well as penalties for change and/or cancellation. These fares have penalties that apply when a ticket/itinerary is changed or canceled. Penalties normally range from 25 to 100 percent of the value of the ticket. Restricted airfares lower than contract airfares may be authorized by the TMO when they meet mission requirements, the restrictions are acceptable to the command, and they do not place an unavoidable burden on the travelers. The lower fare(s) may be used based on an application of exception number 3 above. TMO will not select a non-contract fare with restrictions when a government contract fare exists unless requested by the command for TAD travel.

• When a restricted fare is requested by the unit, this information will be requested in the travel orders using the statement "Restricted fare requested and, if levied, cancellation/penalty fee authorized by (activity name)." This statement acknowledges the fact that the order-issuing authority understands the risks involved and accepts the fact that if the orders are canceled or modified after issuance of tickets, the penalty fee will be charged against their travel funds whether or not travel is performed.
• Application of the Administrative Service Fee. Administrative service fees levied by airlines on restricted fares are not payable by the government unless the change was the result of an official action. The traveler will require written justification (orders modification, etc.) to substantiate the change.
  
  
  Changes for personal convenience are paid by the traveler
  

Consistent with DoD policy, Marine Corps sponsored travelers who are authorized to use commercial air carriers within or outside the United States for official business will use less than first-class accommodations.

Approving Authority for the Use of First-Class Air Accommodations.   Regardless of rank when circumstances require first-class air travel, authorization must be obtained from the Secretary of the Navy via the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code MMOS).

Procedures/Circumstances Required for First-Class Air Travel. First-class air travel can only be used when exceptional circumstances dictate use of this class accommodation. Such circumstances primarily involve considerations of security and when travel must be performed at a specific time and no other accommodations are available. Authorization for the use of first-class air accommodations shall be made in advance of the actual travel unless extenuating circumstances or emergency situations make advance authorization impossible. If advance authorization cannot be obtained, written approval from the CMC, Code MMOS shall be obtained at the earliest possible time.

Prior authorization or subsequent approval not required when:

• First-class is the only service offered between origin and destination, including connecting points. The traveler must certify the single class of service on the travel voucher.
• A traveler wishes to fly first-class, paying the additional charge to the carrier or CTO from personal funds.

Blanket approval (prior authorization or subsequent approval not required) when:

• The Chief of Mortuary Affairs determines that coach class accommodations for person escorting remains will not allow arrival in time to meet funeral home and burial commitments.
• Marine Corps escort officers are required to accompany foreign military officers, provided all costs are paid from foreign military sales funds.

Blanket Authority Granted to Individuals. The Secretary of the Navy may grant blanket authority to an individual for use of first-class travel on a continuing basis. This is done only in exceptional cases of unquestionable justification, such as a physically handicapped person incapable of traveling in less than first-class accommodations. When travel occurs under such authority, it is required that the date of the blanket authority, date of travel and the route traveled be reported to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (Code MMOS).

Documentation and Reporting First Class Travel. In all cases, proper documentation must be maintained to support first-class travel. The transportation endorsement to the original orders shall contain the reason for use of first-class accommodations and the approving agency. In the absence of authorization or approval, the traveler is responsible for all additional costs resulting from the use of first-class travel.

Business class travel will only be arranged for the following circumstances.

• If coach class is not available and the only other alternative that would meet the mission is the use of foreign flag air transportation, the local transportation officer or appropriate authority may approve business class travel on U.S. flag air carriers. This policy applies to all personnel traveling on official business. Refer to JFTR paragraph U3125-B2  The T/O will endorse the original orders accordingly.
• Business class travel is required to support mission requirements. The order writer must place a statement in the original orders indicating “mission requirement requires business class accommodations”. Flights in excess of 14 hours alone do not support the use of business class unless the orders contain a statement indicating business class required to support mission requirements.
• Coach or economy class is the only level of service authorized for domestic flights. This policy applies to Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

E- Tickets are available if required.

Unless otherwise stated in travel orders as a mission requirement, a subcompact rental car will be selected.

 

UNIT will submit a TMR request for all movements.

Questions and changes to TMR request are to be submitted to pto@usmc.mil

 

For Group Travel, units will submit a request to pto@usmc.mil and call the Passenger Travel office for confirmation 760-725-8637. Groups are defined as a party of ten or more persons traveling together on the same day, on the same flight.

Reference: The provisions of U2000 of the JFTR and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),5 CFR Part 2635, contain applicable instructions regarding these subjects.

If a traveler is denied boarding on commercial flights, the airline will provide the traveler with a letter stating the flight was overbooked. Any monetary compensation provided to the traveler as a result of the airline’s failure to provide confirmed reserved space is the property of the U.S Government and is to be turned over to the local disbursing office. If the airline provides a free airline ticket, this will be turned over to the local TMO for use by the traveler on a subsequent trip.

These payments, made because of airline over bookings, are distinguishable from penalty payments and can be retained by the traveler if he or she voluntarily relinquishes a seat on the condition that:

· The surrendering of the seat does not interfere with the performance of the traveler's official duties or mission accomplishment.

· Any additional travel expense incurred must be offset against such compensation by the traveler.

· If giving up the seat delays the traveler, the traveler is responsible for any lost time which may occur.

Participation in frequent flier programs is voluntary. A single account for government generated miles is required. Programs containing both official and unofficial miles are the property of the government per the JFTR.

Obtaining transportation on other than the least cost carrier, based upon the uncertain potential that such a decision would ultimately result in a cost savings, is not authorized. Official transportation will not be arranged on a carrier solely to obtain frequent flier points, free tickets, and any other amenities or gifts.

To the maximum extent practical, overall travel costs should be reduced by using benefits earned through frequent traveler programs to obtain free airline tickets, rooms, and rental vehicles. However, the member may elect to use earned mileage credits for accommodation upgrades while on official government travel.

Official travelers may accept free upgrading of service to first-class, membership in clubs and check-cashing privileges.

Special Issued Passport Application Procedures

PASSPORT APPLICATION PROCESSING - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! NO WALK-INS.
To schedule an appointment, please email us Monday-Thursday between 0730 and 1600 at: camp_pendleton_passports@usmc.mil

For the Passport Checklist, List of Required Documents, and Unit Processing, email: camp_pendleton_passports@usmc.mil

Turnaround time for passports is 6-8 weeks.
Turnaround time for visas is 4 weeks.

For leisure passport requests or inquiries, please contact your local U.S. Postal Service.

For any inquiries, please contact us at 760-725-8637 or 760-725-8631.