MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Changes to show times for Saturdays Patriot Express flights departing to Yokota Air Base, and final destination of Seattle, Wash., went into effect July 3.
The changes were made to reduce the aircraft’s time on ground from three hours to two hours.
“We as the Air Terminal Division had to make the time changes to give the passenger agents ample time to process passengers without any delays,” said Staff Sgt. Dominique G. Laboy, passenger section staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge here.
The check-in time for space-available passengers is now 8 a.m. The check-in time for passengers travelling on permanent change of station or temporary additional duty orders is 9 a.m.
Passenger agents have to check in and process the weight of baggage and passengers, get accountability of passengers and then get everyone through security before passengers can enter the aircraft.
“With the old show times, the bird was already on deck before passengers were processed,” said Lance Cpl. Mathew Young, passenger agent here.
Several factors can slow down the check-in process, such as excess baggage and passengers travelling with pets, said Young. The change in show time gives the agents more time to process passengers before the aircraft arrives and reduces the stress of travelling.
The air terminal will continue to offer early check in for passengers travelling on PCS orders from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays.
“Early check in is great for big families,” said Laboy. “They can check in their bags without all the passengers present so they won’t have to worry about carrying all their luggage and family members on travel day.”
Families can also benefit from early check in because they’ll get a choice of seating, which is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, said Laboy. It’ll help speed up the process on travel day.
The time changes made here will not affect other Patriot Express stops.
For additional information, contact the Air Transportation Division passenger service agents at 253-5509.