Has anyone heard of paying for your own ticket to SeaTac to go to Korea while TDY en route?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 19:40:09 -0400

I am currently at the Aviation Safety Officer Course, TDY en route to Korea. I got a call today from Sato Travel stating that after talking to CTO at Fort Irwin, since I requested my flight to be from Atlanta, GA (nearest big airport from my TDY location) instead of my LAX (airport near NTC that they chose) I would be required to pay the difference in cost for my family and I to fly. Has anyone ever heard of this? Seems to me that if you send me TDY en route, you pay for my flights, period. The lady from Sato Travel said this didn’t seem right either. I’ve been in for 16.5 years and never heard of this.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 24 at 2018 7:43 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 19:43:02 -0400

doesn't sound right to me. yes, it's been awhile, but I agree with you. id check with wherever your TDY orders come from

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Oct 24 at 2018 7:51 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 19:51:04 -0400

If I am reading this correct, you are TDY in Ga but stationed in Ca? The Army should pay for your family from your duty station and you from your TDY location. Really they should send you back to your duty station where you family is and then send you all to Seattle. Generally if you took your family to your TDY location (depending on the length) but did not have orders to take family with you, then you would incur the costs of the family members back. Your narrative is a little difficult to understand where the family is at and where your permanent duty station was.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Oct 24 at 2018 8:07 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 20:07:02 -0400

did they think your family was staying in FT Irwin while you were tdy...somethings fishy here

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Oct 24 at 2018 8:15 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 20:15:27 -0400

Something similar. PCS move from Fort Belvoir to Hawaii. Sato Travel, of course, being unreasonable. Went home on leave to Texas within 100 miles of DFW. Had to travel all the way back to Baltimore for the flight. Something about it being government expedient. Still think it was shady stuff.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Oct 24 at 2018 10:39 PM

LTC John Mohor — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 22:39:27 -0400

Nor have I. I'd be sure to try and talk to finance to see if they can shed any light. If they still insist be sure to save receipts in case you have to fight longer term! Good luck CW2 Shawn Jones

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2018 11:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 23:29:00 -0400

In order to have them fly your family out of ATL you'll have to reach back to the levy section at Irwin to request to authorize your family to fly out from a different location. Usually when you're TDY enroute with family, you will request to return to your duty station to clear.

Response by LTC Eric Udouj made Oct 25 at 2018 9:47 AM

LTC Eric Udouj — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 09:47:40 -0400

Always a good item to check and read the joint Travel Regs as per what your orders state - and then walk into the local travel office to talk it over. Doing so allows you the background knowledge of what your orders state - and what the JTR says as to that regarding TDY in Route of a PCS. It may not always be the answer you want - but you then know what the requirements are that have to be met and it better arms you for discussion. Chances are in a couple off years your will be assisting one of your soldiers on a similar issue and will then know where to turn to advise them due to your experiences,

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 25 at 2018 11:58 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:58:07 -0400

Never went TDY en route, but had to pay the difference in cost for a PCS to Germany with leave en route for flying from Boston verses Monterey CA. It was back in the 80's and the additional cost was nominal but more convenient for my family and I. The old travel folks ( Pre SATO) told me then that the Gov't had set rates, routes and carriers, and if you deviated for your own convenience you pay the difference. In the end, travel pay and allowance's made up for the cost and the convenience and lower stress was for me well worth the money spent up front .

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 7:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 19:41:41 -0400

Uhhhhh, No!

Response by CWO4 Gene A. made Oct 26 at 2018 7:42 PM

CWO4 Gene A. — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 19:42:29 -0400

After 16plus years in service seems to me you would know who to turn to for advice. Wouldn't think Rally point would be that source. After the fact for info maybe. But, upfront querry, NO.

Response by MSgt Tony Marlin made Oct 27 at 2018 6:49 AM

MSgt Tony Marlin — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 06:49:06 -0400

Guess things have changed, but I never got paid to take my family TDY even in route. My family was only paid from where I was assigned to where I was PCSing to...