Patriot Express
The Patriot Express is a Department of Defense-chartered air travel transiting between Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Ramstein Air Base.
All Department of the Army personnel and family members incoming to U.S. Army in Europe on permanent change of station orders with assignments in Germany will use the flights from BWI as the first option of travel.
Returning personnel stationed in Germany and PCSing to the continental U.S. may also use the flights to BWI as their primary air transportation method. The Army also considers PE flights as a viable transportation method for travelers from Germany on temporary duty orders to the Baltimore/D.C. area.
Reception operations at RAB are fully established and will make travel more convenient for patrons. Because operations are moving to Ramstein, USAREUR will no longer need to fund office space for reception operations at Frankfurt International Airport.
Benefits
The flights are expected to enhance the international travel experience for Army personnel and their families.
- Higher luggage weight allowance (70 lbs. per piece instead of 50 lbs.)
- Significant savings on pet travel costs (approximately $110 per pet, two pet limit)
- U.S. forces veterinarian reviews documents to clear pets to enter Germany
- Goal is all new U.S. Army in Europe employees to spend their first night in Germany in their new community
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is eligible to use the PE?
A1: The PE is open to all DOD personnel and family members on assignment to Germany or currently in Germany with an assignment back to the Continental United States.
Q2: How do I schedule a PE flight?
A2: Contact your local SATO travel office to schedule a PE flight.
Q3: What is the flight schedule?
A3: Flights will leave BWI on a Monday, arrive at RAB on Tuesday and return to BWI the same day.
Q4: Can I use the PE for TDY?
A4: Yes. The PE will be the first option of travel when making PCS or TDY arrangements to the Continental United States. When booking travel through SATO, the agent will first check the availability of the PE. If there are vacant seats and the date of the flight meets mission requirements, then the PE will be the mode of travel. If the PE is not an option, then customers will be booked on a commercial flight.
Q5: Will it be more convenient for me to fly into RAB then it was to Frankfurt?
A5: Yes. The team at RAB will track the flights from BWI and will know of any travel delays. They will meet you regardless of arrival time, help you clear customs, and arrange military transportation to your new duty station. The goal is for all new US Army in Europe employees to spend their first night in Germany in their new community.
Q6: Will my sponsor still pick me up from the airport when PCSing to Germany?
A6: No. Sponsors are not authorized to pick up incoming personnel from RAB, instead, transportation will be in place to bring you to your area of assignment so you can spend your first night in your new community.
Q7: Can the PE be used for space available travel?
A7: Yes. The PE will allow the Air mobility Command at RAB and BWI to use available seats for space-available travel, which will aid personnel on leave status with travel to and from Germany and the Baltimore and D.C. areas.
Q8: What if I am traveling with pets?
A8: People traveling with pets should notice a significant savings; although cost for pet travel from the current duty station to BWI will vary based on airline and origin of travel, the cost for the international leg of the flight is expected to average approximately $110 per pet. And, a veterinarian on duty at the Reception Operations at RAB will review documents to clear pets to enter Germany. There is a two pet limit when traveling on the Patriot Express.
Q9: How many bags am I allowed and what is the weight allowance?
A9: Passengers authorized to check two pieces of baggage, each weighing up to 70 pounds
Q10: My husband is already stationed in Heidelberg, Germany and I plan on going over there whenever my paperwork is ready, which should be soon. Does he have to fly with me in order for me to use the Patriot Express flight?
A10: No, your husband does not have to fly with you in order to use the Patriot Express flight. Any military ID card holder can fly on the Patriot Express provided there are an adequate number of seats still available on a flight.
Q11: Will my cat be able to fly in the cabin with me?
A11: Recommend that you contact the Ramstein AB Passenger Terminal for further information about pet travel on the Patriot Express at DSN: (314) 479-4440, Comm. from Germany: 06371-46-4440, Comm. from USA: 011-49-6371-46-4440, or email address: spacea@ramstein.af.mil.
Q12. We can't get a pet reservation on PE, and according to United Airlines, we can only ship pets directly with the airline if the pet is small enough to be considered excess baggage and can travel in the cabin with the pet owner. But my pet is bigger than that, so what do I do?
A12. Commercial pet shipping companies are available. Price is usually determined by destination and volume, i.e. size of the transport box, not the weight of the animal. The transport box must be large enough for a dog to stand upright and to be able to lie down. The shipping company may have boxes for sale but you can use your own boxes as well. Shot records for the animal(s) and a very recent health certificate from a vet are required for shipping.
One company that has experience with U.S. service members is G.K. Airfreight Service (Gradlyn Kennels) at the Frankfurt and Munich airports:
Frankfurt Airport
Frachtzentrum Nord (Freight Center North)
Phone: 069 - 697 125 419
Munich's Franz Josef Strauss Airport
Phone: 089 - 975 914 81
http://www.petshipping.com/en/us-armed-forces/
* Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks to external sites does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the U.S. Army of the linked web site or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of the U.S. Army does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.
Q13. What options do I have for traveling with my pet?
A13. While Government funded pet transportation is not authorized, travelers are entitled to reimbursement for transportation expenses incurred between their old Permanent Duty Station (PDS) and their new PDS, to include the portion of travel in between. Additionally, when performing official travel from one PDS to the next PDS, per diem is authorized for the official portion of the travel. Per diem consists of lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. If there is no space available on the PE flight the traveler still has the option to ship the pet via commercial carrier or through air cargo (both unaccompanied). Some additional options to off-set the cost of pet shipping include, but are not limited to:
Ship a POV to the port of Baltimore in advance of official travel (at least 45 days prior) and drive to PDS or leave address. This option requires coordination with the local transportation office. Source specific guidance is the JFTR, Chapter 5, U5435.
IAW JFTR para U5105, travelers may rent a car from BWI to PDS (Non-Reimbursable, except for the mileage @ $.555 per mile).
Transport pet via commercial or Govt. air (PE) in advance of travel (non-reimbursable).
Q14. What is the Summer Heat Embargo?
A14. During the summer months, May through September, most airlines may impose a Summer Heat Embargo and will not allow individuals to transport pets in the cargo department.
Pets will not be accepted by most US airlines when the current or forecasted temperature at the arrival or departure airport is above 84F (29C) at either location on the itinerary (75 degrees for snub-nosed dogs and cats).
Q15. What pets are restricted from travel?
A15. Some examples of restricted snub-nosed dogs and cats: American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Bulldog, Chinese Pug, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Japanese Boxer, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel (Chin), Mastiff (all breeds), Pekinese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian.
Q16. How many spaces for pets are there on the PE?
A16. Currently there are 10 pet spaces, cats and dogs only, available on the Tuesday Patriot Express flight primarily used for PCS transportation. Each week there are also three other Patriot Express flights, (formerly known as Cat B or “Freedom Bird” or “Rotator”) flying Soldiers from the CENTCOM AOR that transit through Ramstein AFB to BWI, and these often have temperature controlled spaces for pets, equating up to 40 pet allocations per week.
Q17. If my pet is small enough, can it travel with me in the cabin on the PE?
A17. A very limited quantity of small pets may be authorized to travel in cabin. Pets must be able to fit comfortably in a kennel (hard-sided or soft-sided) no larger than 20” long x 16” wide x 8” high in order to fit under the seat in front of you. Pets must be able to stand up, lie down, and turn around with normal posture and body movements.
Questions
For more information on Patriot Express:
Email:
USARMY.KAISERSLAUTERN.USAREUR.LIST.DL-21TSC-PAO-USERS@MAIL.MIL
Phone:
DSN: (314) 479-4440
Commercial from Germany: 06371-46-4440
Commercial from USA: 011-49-6371-46-4440
