Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON — Air Force logistics officials said airmen need to be aware of the rules concerning excess baggage while deploying or on official travel since many civilian airlines charge fees for baggage.
“While airlines charge for a passenger’s baggage and any additional baggage, airmen are not subject to any out-of-pocket expense,” said Master Sgt. Robin D. Johnson, superintendent of Air Force Passenger Policy, Headquarters Air Force Logistics (A-4).
It’s important airmen hand carry their military identification or common access card; contingency, exercise, deployment orders; permanent change of station orders or temporary duty orders, in the event airline officials request them to verify they are on official travel, Johnson said.
In the event an airline charges an airman for excess accompanied baggage, there are provisions for the individual to be reimbursed at the completion of the travel, according to Johnson.
“Airmen traveling on official orders can claim the baggage fees on their travel vouchers, provided they have receipts, they are on orders and the orders specifically authorize excess baggage,” he added.
If orders don’t state excess accompanied baggage is authorized, airmen should request an amendment to the orders to reflect excess accompanied baggage is authorized and approved, Johnson added.
He said the U.S. General Services Administration provides rules concerning baggage fees and official travel. Federal Travel Regulation 301.12.2 identifies excess baggage as a miscellaneous expense, according to the GSA.
Information concerning airlines and their baggage fees, along with GSA information about official travel and baggage, is at www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_BASIC&contentId=28734.
