We were just booked this morning for our AMC/MAC flight to Japan to begin our great adventure. I will be traveling with 3 kids (8.5, 5.5, 4)... We have to report at 9pm to leave the following day -- I am assuming super early AM. (I wouldn't want to travel on the same flight as me.... My 4 year old is World's Crabbiest Redhead when she is tired! She is your stereotypical redhead too... :))

How long between when you have to report do you actually take off? I can't find anything about our takeoff time anywhere just when we need to report for check-in to the AMC desk.

Also, when you have a confirmed time on the mac fight, how early can you actually drop off your luggage. We are flying commercial on the morning of our mac flight and will be at the airport waiting for our mac flight for about 8 hours... I would love to drop off all our luggage and take the bus to go out in town for a few hours!

Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa! We had a similar problem. Our commercial flight got to Seattle around 8:30 PM but the AMC flight didn't leave until around 1AM! This was our first PSC trip so all of this was new to us. We had to pick up our luggage from the commerical flights and then haul all 8 bags over to the AMC counter! Terrible! Then you have to sit around the airport until the wee hours of the morning waiting on the AMC flight to depart! We couldn't leave the airport because our flight got there so late that we only had time to get thru security before it closed. Just make sure you get thru security before it closes or you will be locked out! (That happen to me before!)
I got more specific flight information from my travel office. She was able to tell me what time the AMC flight left and what time we were to arrive in Japan. She also told us that there would be one stop in between. Our flight was TERRIBLE!!! After leaving Seattle, we went to Anchorage, Alaska and had to sit on the tarmac for about an hour until a gate opened up. Then we get off the plane and go inside the airport and wait over another hour with nothing in the airport open because it was like 6 AM! Then we were able to finally get back on the airplane. We were also flying with a 2 year old who did exceptionally well despite the circumstances.
Don't worry about traveling with your kids because there will be many families on board in the same situation as you - at least there were on my flight. My advice, try to keep your kids up as long as possible so they will sleep on that last long leg to Japan. Bring lots of toys, DVD players, coloring books, reading books, anything that will keep them busy cause it is a long and draining experience.
Despite the terrible flight, we were so happy to get here and are still happy to be here!!!!
Good luck to you and yours!!!

Dayna

Thanks for the help and tips! It sounds like we are on the same basic flight that you were. I will pack tons of snacks for my girls but do you know if I need to worry about meals? Does the flight just go from SEA-AK-Yokota or are there other stops between Yokota and AK?? I am praying for an empty flight so the kids can take over extra seats and sleep! For all our sakes... :)

Our commercial flight arrives at 12:45p so we will have tons of hours unfortunately to sit and wait at the airport... I will remember that tidbit about security so we can make sure that we are on the other side of it by the right time though....

Thanks,
Lisa

Hey Lisa!

The flight that I was on only went to AK and then on to Yokota and believe me, that was enough!!! After all of that flying we were all too thru. And it sounds like your itenerary may be worse because you have such a big gap. Maybe you could consider getting a hotel room right near the airport. That way you can check in and check your bags with the AMC flight, go to the hotel and chill out, get some food, etc. and then be sure to get back to the airport in time to get thru security. Actually I kinda wished we had went the day before and stayed at a hotel. It would have been much better on our bodies. It took us so long to recooperate from that flight and the time change and everything.
I too was hoping for an empty flight but our flight was filled to capacity. I hope that yours does have some extra space but believe me, you and everyone else will be fighting for those empty seats.
As far as food, our AMC flight had food coming it seemed like constantly! And it wasn't bad food either. For example they gave us breakfast of french toast & fruit or an omlet with a croisant and a drink. For lunch we got a sandwich with chips, a piece of fruit, some cookies and something else. Of course we brought snacks for the baby and we ate at the airport before we got on the flight not knowing what to expect. I have heard of others not being given any food so you know being a mom, always come prepared!

Hope that helps you out Lisa! Safe travels to you and your family!

Dayna

Did any of you travel with a pet on a MAC flight? Just curious ... we will be traveling with our mini schnauzer and would love some feedback. Thanks!

Pets fly in luggage. May seem bad for them but it's not...no lovely little darlings to keep them awake. Make sure you have vet stuff taken care of and the paperwork with you. Don't forget food in a non-spillable container. I used a round, shallow tupperware container with a hole cut in the lid big enough so the little guy can eat. Water in a pet water bottle attached to the side of the carrier will work fine. You may have to modify the carrier to accept it, though.

It's been a few years since I flew AMC but, if there's an attendant at the counter when you arrive they'll usually allow you to check in. Out of LAX I got there 12 hours ahead from VA, checked as soon as I got there. Your best bet? Seems like all your answers are right here:
<http://www.mcchord.af.mil/library/s.../index.asp>

Thanks so much for your reply and info. I do have a list already of all I have to do before taking our doggie with us. Thanks again!

Anyone have any updates or know if there are any changes to the above information on the AMC flights from Seattle to Yakota? Just want to make sure we have everything we need. We are flying with a pet and will have a long layover in Seattle. We are wanting to pick him up take him around Seattle as we sight see and check our luggage with AMC. Just want to know if anyone knows if this is possible.

Also I see that everyone here talks about security closing. Anyone know what time?

Anyone have any updates or know if there are any changes to the above information on the AMC flights from Seattle to Yakota? Just want to make sure we have everything we need. We are flying with a pet and will have a long layover in Seattle. We are wanting to pick him up take him around Seattle as we sight see and check our luggage with AMC. Just want to know if anyone knows if this is possible.

Also I see that everyone here talks about security closing. Anyone know what time?

Well, a lot changed for me. We got here exactly a month ago but decided to leave our dog behind and fly her out at a later time, hopefully in Oct. She will be flying commercial and will pick her up at Narita International.

The reason behind our decision was the kennel situation and housing. The only kennel you can leave your dog at is in Camp Zama, about 20-25 min drive (depending on traffic), dogs are NOT walked there so it will be left in a kennel the whole time, unless you go visit and take it for a walk. I didn't want to take the risk as I knew we wouldn't have a car right away, know the area to take the drive, plus driving, NOT fun, very narrow streets and very crowded (pedestrians and bikes) not to mention driving in the opposite side. Housing is another issue, we are still at the lodge waiting for our townhouse. Looks like it is taking 6-8 weeks to get a unit that allows dogs, so all that time, you will be paying for the kennel out of pocket (I believe it is about $25 per day).

As for the flight, we flew from FL to Seattle (commercial) had a 12+ hours layover in Seattle, got the chance to go downtown and get something to eat, other than airport food. Once you get to Tacoma International, you pick up all your luggage plus doggie as if it was your final destination and then find the counter for AMC flights and start over with the check in process. If your layover is too long, than find the USO (mezzanine level) and check your bags there plus the dog's kennel but do take the dog with you. They will keep your luggage there until it is time to board your next flight.

Now, wanted to let you know, don't know if you are traveling with children but the wait at Tacoma International to board the AMC flight is brutal. It is very cold (even though it is summer) and very uncomfortable, so pack a sweatshirt and socks! The flight will most likely stop in Anchorage so plan for that as well. Once you get to Yokota, the drive was about 2 hours (if coming to Atsugi).

Best of luck and hope it helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for the update... no kids here (well, jsut our 4 legged one). The tip about the USO is great, we are final destination of Yokosuka and have a ride comming from there since we have the dog.

Good! Since you are going to Yokosuka than you don't have the kennel problem, that's good!!! Best of luck!!! (oh, and the housing waiting period is for Atsugi as well)

I wil be flying out on the AMC flight next month. Can anyone tell me what terminal is located for the AMC counter? Also, my son will be 5 months old when we leave to japan. Can anyone tell me if we can check in strollers? Also, will the TSA guys allow us to pass through on formulas? Are the AMC crew leniant if the baggage wight is 10 lbs over the standard limit? It would be appreciated if anyone can help me with the question......especially for those if they ever flew with a newborn.

What airport are you flying out of?

At the airport I flew out of all TSA rules still applied.

What airport? We flew out of Seattle, at the USO they gave us all the info to finding the counter.

We do not have an infant but did see strollers being checked; formula, I would think not, as all TSA rules apply. But you can bring the powder and ask for water and make it there.

As for baggage, we did have no limit in weight or number of pieces as we were flying with military orders but do call the airline if taking any commercial flights to connect.

Hope this helps.

thanks gabby, that definitly helps. i think ill call up tsa and find out about the baby milk powder.