Embarking on a PCS journey from the continental United States (CONUS) to an overseas assignment in Okinawa, Japan, can be both exhilarating and overwhelming for military families. Most families will fly on government contracted airlines, known collectively as the Patriot Express. Since these are not your typical commercial flights, you may be wondering what to expect on the Patriot Express. Here’s what you need to know to navigate the Patriot Express journey seamlessly.

What to Expect on the Patriot Express

The Patriot Express serves as the primary mode of transportation for military families moving from CONUS to overseas locations (OCONUS). While not as widely recognized as commercial airlines, it provides essential transportation services tailored to military personnel and their families. They are often not well-known airlines and the planes are often very old with limited amenities.

You will be able to see your general flight date 30 days out from your flight by visiting the AMC Terminal website. This will give you an idea of about what day you should be flying out.

You will be able to see your exact itinerary 72 hours out from your flight. Your itinerary options are:

• Straight to Kadena (Okinawa)
• Alaska to mainland Japan to Kadena (Okinawa)
• Alaska to Guam to Kadena (Okinawa)
• Yokosko to Iwakuni (don’t get off the plane) to Kadena (Okinawa)
• Yokota to Iwakuni (don’t get off the plane) to Kadena (Okinawa)

Checking In for Your Flight on the Patriot Express

Check-in typically occurs between 11 PM and 2 AM the night before or on the day of the flight at designated AMC counters within Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac). This is an exhausting night. If you have little ones, be prepared that it won’t be super fun. It is recommended that you come armed with snacks, cozy pjs, blankets, some new small toys, and a general acceptance that your kids may be overtired!

The line gets pretty long while you’re waiting to check-in. Most people will arrive about 30 minutes to an hour before the counters even open just to get through the line sooner. Alternatively, some people wait until the last little bit of check-in on hopes that the line has died down some.

Everyone MUST be present for check-in at the counter. Families can wait out of the line while one person waits in line, but you must all be present for actual check-in at the counter.

• Documentation Requirements: Upon check-in, families are required to present orders, Area Clearance, military IDs, and pet paperwork (if applicable). They may ask the approximate weight of all family members as well. Ensuring all necessary documents are readily available streamlines the check-in process.

While You Wait for Your Flight on the Patriot Express

Once you are checked in, you can go to the USO if it’s open. Note that the USO isn’t always open overnight, which means that some families are stuck waiting in the check-in areas until security opens. However, if it is open, there are chairs and food, but they get taken pretty quickly. I personally recommend that once security opens (usually 4am) to go straight through security and secure one of the large couch/seats they have for the kids to lay down if you have kids. These get taken fast, so try to get up there sooner rather than later. Some food places like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts will be open when security opens.

There is a lounge in the terminal if you have the AmEx Platinum but it doesn’t open until 5:30am.

Flights typically board between 6am and 9am…and they don’t tell you exactly when. The USO will make an announcement when security opens and when they have an update on the flight so you can wait in there if you want.

What happens if your flight is delayed?

If your flight is delayed by a few hours, you will just be waiting just like on commercial airlines. However, if your flight is pushed to another day (they won’t ever call it “canceling” your flight; they will just call it a delay- even if it’s several days or a week!) families receive vouchers for nearby food and accommodations.

This is where your packing for your flight comes in- our family was delayed two days but we weren’t able to get our bags off the plane. That means we only had the clothes and items we had packed in our carry-ons available to us. It is essential to pack multiple changes of clothes, toiletries, and any other necessary items that you may need for a couple of days just in case. Our family ended up Ubering to Target for a few essentials!

For those with pets, a flight day of several days can be a significant issue because of the 72 hour pet certificate. Even with a delay, you are required to have a valid pet certificate. Many families end up seeing a vet in Seattle to get this pet certificate renewed. You will have to travel by Uber to do this since vehicles aren’t available to take you around the Seattle area. The nearest base location is Joint Base Lewis-McChord but it is about 45 minutes away from SeaTac.

What to Expect on the Patriot Express During Your Flight

Each Patriot Express flight is different, and you don’t know what you’ll get until you get on the plane. Some planes may have charging ports, some may not. Some may have headrest televisions, some may have the old school one screen in the aisles type of deal. It is recommended to purchase battery packs/portable chargers (and charge those up in the USO or in the terminal while you wait), iPads or phones with shows and games pre-installed, and headphones for your flight. If you have little kids, I would also recommend packing things like:

• Coloring books and crayons or markers
• Window cling stickers
• Playdough
• Small puzzles
• Small, fun new toys (we loved Dollar Tree for this stuff)
• Books

Arrival in Okinawa

Ah, you’ve finally arrived in Okinawa! You are going to be exhausted yet invigorated that you finally made it and the long journey is over.

When you arrive to Okinawa, you will be let off the plane in groups to be put on a bus that will take you to “customs.” Here a passport agent will stamp your no-fee passports and welcome you to Okinawa. Your bags will be downstairs on the carousel, just like a regular airport.

Your sponsor should be waiting for you as you exit the terminal. They will then drive you to your new home if you did port to home, or to your lodging.

Since you will not be able to drive yet, it is important to set up some things to make it easier for you as you get settled like order groceries, have your internet modem in your home (or set up if your sponsor is able to do that), and have your government furniture and lending locker items in your home. If you are staying in base lodging, you can at least have your sponsor deliver some small groceries to your room.