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ECW Gear – what you get, what you’ll need to bring:
http://www.usap.gov/USAPgov/travelAndDeployment/documents/ECW.pdf
Airline Industry Changes – yeah, flying’s no fun anymore:
http://www.usap.gov/USAPgov/travelAndDeployment/documents/DS-D-100aj.pdf
Participant Guide – it’s the 2006-2008 version, so some items may have changed (but there’s still great info in it):
http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/documents/2006PartGuide.pdfHi,
Do you know if the flights to Denver/orientation are typically purchased as full fare economy or government rates? Because it seems like on AA, those fares don’t have to pay the luggage fees. It seems a bit fair that we won’t get compensated for having to pay the luggage fees — obviously we have to bring SOME luggage with us.Typically, the flights are purchased in either B or H class, which have fewer restrictions than excursion fares, but aren’t the unrestrictive (and more expensive) Y class. It could be that some sort of agreement is in-place between RPSC, and AA, since we’ll be flying down a metric butt-ton of people.
Of course, the AA luggage fee(asco) is relatively new, and I doubt that page I posted was the latest and greatest. It mainly addressed what was considered ‘excess’ baggage, of a few months ago.
The topic should be covered in the travel packet you receive from the Deployment Specialist Group, and/or Travel.
Luckily, I’m an AmericanAdvantage gold card member, so those fees will be waived.
The travel industry has changed to a point of almost being unrecognizable, lately. RPSC is doing its best in keeping up, but as you can see, it’s almost impossible.
I miss the simple days…
MMM
I hope walmart has there supply of polar equipment in by the time I leave, otherwise, back to cotton socks.
Mike,
I left a bunch of wool socks and other stuff that should have made their way to SKUA. You are welcome to them.
Dave BI’ll bet they aren’t around anymore. Actually I may have enough old stuff to bring down. I started the PQ stuff today. I had to drive almost 2 hours east to Grants Pass, Oregon to find a LabCorp for the blood test. When they didn’t do the drug screen I got antsy and called RPSC. It turns out that HR is contracting out to a different company for that. Quest, isn’t located in Grants Pass. For them I have to drive an hour and a half south to Eureka. Grrrrrrr. Hr seemed to think there were a lot more quests than labcorps.
It sure seemed alot more simple when Medical just sent us the kits, and we took them to our own docs…
New from the Denver office…
[font=Californian FB:n1v0kqel]Greetings USAP Participants![/font:n1v0kqel][font=Californian FB:n1v0kqel]This year the Antarctic Program will no longer be providing sunglasses at Extreme Cold Weather Gear Issue. However, Julbo Sunglasses is offering employees of the Program the opportunity to purchase their non-prescription sunglasses at wholesale cost, which is 50% off the suggested retail price. They come in many different styles, which you may view at [/font:n1v0kqel][font=Californian FB:n1v0kqel]www.julbousa.com[/font:n1v0kqel][font=Californian FB:n1v0kqel].[/font:n1v0kqel]
[font=Californian FB:n1v0kqel]Attached is the order form and price list. Costs for shipping aren’t shown on the form but will generally run $6-$8 for ground and $15-$20 for 2-Day FedEx. You will need to place your order before 9/15/08 to get these special prices, and follow the directions on the order sheet carefully. Please do note that expenses for non-prescription sunglasses are not reimbursable by the Program.[/font:n1v0kqel]
***RUMOR***RUMOR***RUMOR***RUMOR***RUMOR***RUMOR***
Word is that the Rec department won’t exist as it has in the past. Expect more volunteer recruitment, and involvement.
Oh, and maybe no t-shirts commemorating Rec events.
More to come…Evidently, SPRINGFLY is the moniker for the upcoming, abbreviated Winfly season. It is catchy…
Also, due to the Democratic National Convention that’ll be going on in Denver, the first couple of Springfly flights will fly people straight from their AOD/POO to LAX, and their orientation will be in…LAX? No. AKL? No. CHC? No…
It’ll be at McMurdo! That’s the latest word.
Oh, and I hear there will now be THREE pax flights, and ONE cargo deck.
(note: everything above is subject to change…)
aOrientation in McMurdo? So much for breaking in the FNGs slowly!
In the past had there been more than 4 flights during “win/springfly”?
MikeMike,
There have been more than four planned flights for Winfly in the past but not with the larger C-17 aircraft. Four should handle all the routine requirements without a problem. By the way, I am glad to see the early season (August/September) flights called “Spring Fly” vice “Win Fly”. Win Fly means Winter Fly In and the last time that happened was in June of 1967. Trust me I know, I was on the flight!
Dave BYou know, It’s going to be a very different season this year. No hard liquor is going to go over like a brick with a fair portion of the summer staff. I don’t drink that much, but when I do I hate being in the bars. I’m aging to the point that I can’t hear conversations so well if there is a lot of background noise. I might as well be drinking alone. It’s really nice to relax with a couple of friends in a quiet environment instead.
There are a fair number of heavy drinkers. I think thats how a good number get through the day. It’s keeps life a little like being back home. Lot’s of people like to go back to their room and have a gin and tonic or whatever. They say NSF has been pushing to reduce the liquor for years. My guess is that just like old days of prohibition, it will backfire and there will be stills being set up everywhere. Somebody is going to make a lot of money. Better hide the copper tubing and lead free solder now. Maybe lock it all in the chalet.
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