Will look into hand carrying application to the consulate.

I've been in the service for awhile now, I do remember the "in lieu of" letter. Damn Senior Airman never mentioned it while I was begging for a quick orders drop. I will follow up.

Super recommendation on the airline tickets. Will check with sponsor. We have a contingency plan if the house doesn't sell, family will stay here. That's all well and good unless you buy non-refundable airline tickets to get them out of the trip. The refundable tickets are very expensive so it's almost a wash. I haven't purchased any tickets yet.

Have to show the house to two more prospective buyers this evening. Lot's of interest in the home, just no offers.


Thanks for your help.

Cheers,
Chuck

When we arrive at Seoul, how do we travel to Osan? That's quite a ways to expect the sponsor to pick us up. Taxi, bus, train? Which is best? After 23 hours on a plane should we just stay the night at the Dragon Lodge, then head to Osan the next day?

Cheers,
Chuck

When you clear customs and exit the quarantine area go to the right. At the far end of the terminal you'll find a USO desk (no facilities, just a countertop) manned by some active duty folks. There you can sign up for the bus to Osan ($20 per seat). That's the prescribed method of travel. Taxi would cost about $150. Last bus leaves at 2230, but will wait if they know folks are due inbound but delayed. I'd only recommend staying in Seoul if you miss the last bus. When you get off the plane you'll be tired from traveling, but ready to complete the journey. Your sponsor should meet you at Osan when you get off the bus at the AMC terminal. They call First Sergeants or commanders if the sponsor doesn't check in early, before your bus arrives.

Paul

Do I need Won or dollars for the bus?

What is the best day of the week to arrive? ie. If I get there on a weekend I can still look for an apartment, right? Or can I? I think I am required to meet with the housing office before looking downtown for a place to live? If so, wouldn't it be better to arrive on a weekday (at least making sure the day after arriving is a weekday) so I could touch base with them before heading out into Songtan for an aprtment?

Cheers,
Chuck

Chuck,
Dollars for the bus I spoke of, $20 per seat. There are Korean commercial buses running as well, but the trip's a little complex. I don't think you'd want the aggravation. Hadn't thought about day of the week before, but weekdays would probably be better so you can touch base with the housing office and get started settling in.

Paul

There is some regulation that states when flyers go to a non-flying assignments, the AF will try their best to ensure the flyer reports in between the 15th and the end of the month. This is because aeronautical ratings required flyers to meet flying gates to keep receiving flight pay. If I was to arrive in Osan between 1st and 15th, then I would not be able to claim that month as flying. Someone else in my flight has a short notice to a non flying job at Tyndall (same RNLTD as me). She found the regualtion, asked and recieved a change in her RNLTD by two weeks, and was approved. I am trying the same thing. I emailed my sponsor and gaining unit commander and am awaiting their repsonse. Then I notifiy my flight commander, Sq/CC, and AFPC in that order. Two weeks may not seem like much but it will help greatly.

Plane tickets: My orders were cut in one day thanks to my friends at base personnel. Unfortunately, if I get a change in report dates they will have to re-cut my orders. TMO called and said they were informed of my orders and wanted to know when I wanted to fly to Osan and to pick a day between 5-15 March. I told them about my possible RNLTD change and they told me to contact them next week with a date to leave on the original orders or a new date to leave on the new orders. I discussed plane tickets for my family. TMO said DO NOT buy tickets for your family, yet. When I find a date to leave, TMO will purchase my ticket at a govt rate on United out of OKlahoma City to Denver to SF to Japan then Inchon. Once my ticket is in hand, TMO said to go buy plane tickets for my family on the same carrier, same day, same cities, so we could fly together. So that's how that works.

Thanks for the $ answer about the bus? They charge $20 for a two year old too??

Cheers,
Chuck

Chuck,
Sounds like everything is under control. That itinerary sounds like hell though. Delta/KAL have non-stops from DFW to Seoul. Talk nice the the folks at TMO. As far as the bus and 2 year olds, play it by ear. I expect it will depend on if the bus is near full and whether or not you want to hold him on your lap for two hours.

Paul

Chuck, I would say you owe Paul a beer when you arrive Osan!

Great info Paul.

Mike

__________________
Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Chuck, i understand that you are wanting to get here and find an APPT. as soon as possible, but i caution (just a little) and here is why.

First you are on a 10-15 hr flight crossing 5 time zones or more, you may feel up to doing things like finding a APPT. and so on but you will only hurt yourself in the long run. And not to mention you have your family with you.

Here is what i done, if you can get a ticket where you and your family arrive on a friday, that way you can check in with your unit friday (when ever) SLEEP all day saturday, recover from saturdays sleep sunday and get a fresh start monday morning.

That is what i done and believe me it is worth it.

You an still look for an APPT. over the weekend, you just cannot say that you will take the APPT. Places are open even over the weekends.

Just food for thought.

Chuck

__________________
CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

Paul, You do have a beer reserved for you. Since I am from Missouri, home of the world's largest brewery, it will be from Anheiser.

The other Chuck, I will talk your idea over with CINC House. The trip may take more out of us than we think. But then again, being in a hotel room with two year old twins may motivate anyone to find a place ASAP.

Most flights from the states that land at Seoul are late at night, so if I wanted to check in with my unit on Friday, I would have to arrive the day before on a Thurs, right?


Thanks to all.
Chuck