AIR MOBILITY COMMAND SEATTLE-TACOMA
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1
Contents
Where are you located in the Seattle Airport?
Can your office book my travel on the Patriot Express?
Do you take cash?
What is the cost of Space Available travel?
What type of aircraft will I be flying on out of Seattle?
What do I need to have in order to check-in if I already have a reservation on the Patriot Express?
Should I have multiple copies of my orders in my possession?
What are the baggage limitations for flying on the Patriot Express?
What size of baggage can I carry on with me on the aircraft?
If I am vaccinated, do I still need a negative COVID test before I check-in for my flight?
I am flying into Seattle on the Patriot Express, could you walk me through what I can expect upon
arrival?
If my transportation office cannot book my pet on the Patriot Express, is your office able to do so?
What are the kennel size requirements for in-cabin pets?
What are the kennel requirements for cargo hold pets?
What kind of pet can I travel with on the Patriot Express?
Who can travel on the Patriot Express with a pet?
Could you walk me through the pet check-in process?
What is the required documentation needed for my pet to travel with me on the Patriot Express?
What qualifies as a Service Animal?
What are the requirements to travel with my Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
Does Air Mobility Command have breed restrictions?
Can pets only travel during the winter months?
Do I need to put food and water in my pet’s kennel?
How do I sign up for Space-Available Travel?
What are my chances of making a Space-Available flight?
SEATAC’S FAQ
2
Where are you located in the Seattle Airport?
The AMC ticket counter is located on the ticketing level of the airport near Hawaiian Airlines. This is
where you need to be to check-in for your flight.
Our office is located between Baggage Claim 4 and 5 in the baggage claim area.
Can your office book my travel on the Patriot Express?
If you are traveling on official orders such as PCSing or Temporary Duty, we are only able to make
reservations within 72 hours of aircraft departure, pending open seats. We recommend contacting your
local transportation office to book your Patriot Express flight as soon as you know of you travel up to the
72-hour window of your desired departure.
Do you take cash?
As of 30 April 2021, we no longer accept cash as a form of payment for pet, excess baggage and space
available travel charges. We will continue to take debit and credit cards to include the Government
Travel Card (GTC). If you are traveling with cash only and will incur one of the charges, please use the
“readystation” machines located throughout the airport.
What is the cost of Space Available travel?
The current cost of Space A travel is $21.10 per traveler to Japan, Korea, and Guam. We do not allow
in-lap children.
What type of aircraft will I be flying on out of Seattle?
As of now, all of our flights are either B767, B777 or B747 aircraft.
What do I need to have in order to check-in if I already have a
reservation on the Patriot Express?
Active Duty personnel will need a valid Common Access Card (CAC), copy of orders for us to keep.
For DoD Civilians, dependents and contractors, you will need a valid Passport (must be an official/no-
fee passport if DoD Civilian or dependent), copy of orders for us to keep (must have dependents name
stated).
We recommend those passengers who have foreign passports should check with the nearest host nation
embassy or consulate to determine what credentials are required for entry.
Should I have multiple copies of my orders in my possession?
Yes, you should always travel with multiple copies of orders. We will be taking a copy upon check-in.
We also recommend having a copy of your orders in each of your checked bags.
SEATAC’S FAQ
3
What are the baggage limitations for flying on the Patriot Express?
AMC adheres to all TSA baggage screening guidelines found at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-
screening. A complete list of permitted and prohibited items in checked and/or hand-carried items can be
found at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all.
Each passenger may check two pieces of luggage up to 70 pounds and 62 linear (length + width + height)
inches each. Motorized assistance equipment may not exceed 100 pounds in weight. Luggage allowances
may be combined per family, e.g. 4 checked items are allowed for a 2-passenger family. It is required that
all passengers should include their name, email address and current address on and inside checked
luggage. It is also advisable to place a copy of appropriate leave paperwork in checked luggage.
Any bag heavier than 70 pounds or 62 linear inches will be counted as two bags for each 70-pound
increment. The maximum price-per-bag is $125. Excess baggage fees may be paid with the government
travel card where services are available. Standard-issue B-4 duffle bags may weigh 100 pounds;
however, only one of these bags is allowed.
Bags cannot exceed 100 pounds and/or 80 linear inches.
Space Available passengers are not allowed excess baggage.
What size of baggage can I carry on with me on the aircraft?
Passengers are permitted one, 45-linear inch (length + width + height), hand-carried item, e.g. small
suitcase, garment bag, backpack. This item must fit under the seat or in available overhead compartments
in the cabin area. Items that are too large must be checked and will count against the passenger's
checked luggage limit.
One hand-carried, personal item, e.g. cosmetic case, purse, briefcase, is also permitted.
If I am vaccinated, do I still need a negative COVID test before I check-
in for my flight?
Please see our travel page for current COVID guidelines.
I am flying into Seattle on the Patriot Express, could you walk me
through what I can expect upon arrival?
If you are arriving directly from Japan or Korea, passengers will deplane and go through the new
International Arrivals Facility. The new facility is much larger than the old Customs and Immigrations,
passengers will need to be prepared to walk from the aircraft and into the facility (approximately 10-15
min walk) with all carry-on items. Gate check items/strollers are brought to you within customs, they
cannot be brought to the plane door. All passengers must claim their luggage and then proceed to
passport control. Passengers with connecting flights (without in cargo pets) can continue on and check-
in with their new airline. Passengers with in cargo pets must exit to Seattle!
SEATAC’S FAQ
4
If you are traveling with pets, upon arriving into Customs/Immigrations, you must stop by the CDC office
to clear them into the United States. You will be able to claim your pets just outside of the International
Arrivals Facility at the double doors located by the first escalator outside the IAF.
If your aircraft arrived from Anchorage, you will go directly to Baggage Claim #1 to claim your luggage,
pets will be near the exit from the International Arrival Facility on the other side of Baggage Claim
Carousel #1.
If my transportation office cannot book my pet on the Patriot Express, is
your office able to do so?
We see the same information as your transportation office as far as open space is concerned.
Unfortunately, if they cannot book your pet, neither can we. Also, we are unable to book pet spaces
outside of a 72-hour window of aircraft departure.
What are the kennel size requirements for in-cabin pets?
Kennels must be leak proof/water repellant with ventilation on at least two sides (soft kennels are
authorized). Kennels must not exceed 18”L x 11”W x 10 ½” H and pets in kennels must be able to (with
normal body posture and movement) stand up and turn around. If you arrive with a reserved in-cabin
spot for your pet and your kennel is outside of those dimensions, your pet may be denied travel on the
Patriot Express. Please see AMC’s Pet Brochure for more information.
What are the kennel requirements for cargo hold pets?
Kennels must be hard sided with ventilation on at least 3 sides. 2-piece kennels must be bolted together
with metal nuts and bolts (kennels held together by plastic latches/ties will be denied travel). There are
no size restrictions for kennels in cargo hold except for weight. Max weight for kennel and pet cannot
exceed 150 pounds. Pets in kennels must be able to (with normal body posture and movement), stand up
and turn around.
What kind of pet can I travel with on the Patriot Express?
Pets are limited to domestic dogs and cats only.
Who can travel on the Patriot Express with a pet?
Only passengers in a PCS status can travel with pets. Contact your transportation office to reserve a pet
space upon receiving your PCS orders. Spaces do go quickly so we recommend making contact as soon
as you can.
Each family is authorized to ship 2 pets via AMC.
Could you walk me through the pet check-in process?
Pets are checked-in at the same time/location of standard flight check-in at the AMC Ticket Counters.
Your pet is weighed and documentation is checked at this time as well as visual inspection of the pet and
kennel. At this time, you will be asked to pay for your pet fee:
SEATAC’S FAQ
5
<70 lbs = $125.00
71-140 lbs = $250.00
141-150 lbs = $375.00
You cannot leave your cargo hold booked pet unattended in the airport. You must remain with your pet
in the airport until we take them to be loaded which will be in the baggage claim area near Baggage
Claim #1 (approximately 30 minutes after check-in cut off time).
What is the required documentation needed for my pet to travel with me
on the Patriot Express?
Documentation varies from country to country. We recommend using the following link (USDA APHIS)
to ensure you have everything you need for your pet to travel with you to your PCS destination.
What qualifies as a Service Animal?
In accordance with DoDI 4515.13, passengers may travel with no more than two (2) properly trained
service animals (dogs only) that fit in the service animal handler’s lap or within the service animal
handler’s foot space on AMC aircraft. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered
at all times within air terminals and on aircraft. Service animal handlers must keep service animals under
control at all times to include restrain‐ ing service animal from relieving itself in air terminals or on
aircraft without posing a health or sanitation issue (e.g., dog diaper). A Service Animal is defined as
working animals individually trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, such as
guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting
a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks.
Transportation of a service animal in the cabin or cargo hold is authorized without charge when
accompanying a passenger who is otherwise authorized transportation under this issuance. DoD
personnel will make every effort to ensure individuals with disabilities are not separated from their
service animals. An animal’s weight and size, as well as USG and foreign country restrictions, may limit
the transport of a service animal within the cabin or cargo hold.
What are the requirements to travel with my Emotional Support Animal
(ESA)?
As of 23 Jul 2021, AMC recognizes Emotional Support Animals as “pets”, dogs and cats only and will
not have to follow all guidance in regards to pet travel. This change limits each family to two (2) pets,
regardless of ESA status. For more information, please go to the AMC Pet Travel Page and AMC Pet
Brochure.
Does Air Mobility Command have breed restrictions?
AMC does not have breed restrictions; however, AMC warns that snub or pug nosed pets are more
susceptible to air travel complications such as heat stroke, respiratory problems, and possibly death.
Please see AMC’s Pet Brochure for more information.
SEATAC’S FAQ
6
Can pets only travel during the winter months?
Both the cabin and cargo hold area are temperature controlled allowing pets to travel year-round.
However, if you are have a connecting flight, please contact your commercial airline for their
requirements/limitations.
Do I need to put food and water in my pet’s kennel?
Food and water are not required to be placed in the kennel.
How do I sign up for Space-Available Travel?
To request a sign up, you would email a copy of your travel documentation to:
Seattle.Gateway@us.af.mil.
Active duty members need to be within their chargeable leave dates. We will need to see a copy of your
leave paperwork, EML form (if using), and any other travel documentation.
Dependents will need to email us a copy of their Space-Available travel letter, EML form (if using), and
any other travel documentation.
What are my chances of making a Space-Available flight?
There is no way to predict the chances of being selected as Space-Available passenger.
Many of our flights are fully booked or close to fully booked. However, we have never had 100% of our
passengers show for a flight. We have passengers who arrive that are denied travel due to not being
travel ready (i.e. incorrect/insufficient paperwork, incorrect passport/visa, etc.). We also see passengers
on official travel who have been advised to arrive at our terminal without a confirmed seat to attempt
Standby travel, which takes priority over Space-Available travel. There are many other factors that play
into passenger selection such as: weight allowances, weather, how many passengers mark present for the
flight, much of this information is not known until the roll call time.
At this time, Space Available passengers can only mark present at the ticketing counter during our
processing hours. Our processing hours are notated on our 72 Hour Schedule. You must be marked
present no later than 1 hour prior to roll call. All passengers must be at the ticketing counter to mark
present. Selection process is based upon your category and then the date and time of your sign up. The
time that you mark present does not bare weight upon the selection process.
