This message provides emergency commercial ticketing procedures for individual travelers executing Annual Training, resident Professional Military Education, schools, Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS), Off-Site Inactive Duty Training (IDT) or involuntary activation orders pursuant to 10 USC sections 12302 or 12304B through 30 June 2018 who are not in receipt of a government procured air travel ticket prior to departure or whose ticketing information is inaccurate (e.g., misspelled name or incorrect destination).
Prior to travel, all personnel must have the following items:
- A copy of their authenticated Marine Resource Order Writing System (MROWS) orders or approved DTS authorization.
- Unit AO POC information.
- A copy of the Emergency Ticketing Procedures Traveler Smart Card
MROWS orders for all Marine travelers must have been authenticated prior to the effective date of the orders. If a Marine traveler arrives at an airport and is advised by commercial airline personnel or their AO that no ticket has been purchased for their authorized travel, or their ticket is incorrect, Marine travelers shall follow the below procedures.
- Arrive at airport at least 3 hours prior to scheduled (or required) departure.
- Check in at kiosk or ticket counter in order to retrieve boarding pass.
In the event airline personnel advise the traveler that there are no reservations or ticket purchased, or if the tickets are incorrect, the following actions shall be executed:
- During normal Traffic Management Company (TMC) business hours (Mon-Fri / 0800-1630 CST) call 504-697-9795.
- After hours or weekends, call 1-800-639-7955. Let the phone ring for 3 minutes. If no answers, leave a message with traveler’s name and contact phone number.
- If no return call is received after 1 hour, or if the TMC responds and denies service, the Marine traveler will then contact their unit Approving Official (AO).
AOs, authorized per a signed DD 577, will use the AO Actions Card in order to determine if the travel is official and if the TMC was unavailable to assist the traveler. If the travel is official (authenticated MROWS orders or approved DTS travel) and the TMC was unable to assist, the AO shall authorize/approve the Marine to purchase a one-way ticket on a US-flag carrier on their GTCC (non-GTCC purchases are only authorized for Marine travelers that do not have a GTCC issued in their name). If traveler requires the use of the Centrally Billed Account (CBA), the AO shall contact DMO via email.
Marine traveler will ask the agent for the government rate, if available. If not, Marine traveler will purchase the cheapest economy ticket available.
If no flights are available, and the traveler is within 400 driving miles of the destination, the traveler may be authorized by the AO to vary their mode of transportation (e.g., POV/rental car).
Ensure all receipts are retained.
AO and Marine travelers will ensure that the traveler’s parent command (S-1) is immediately notified of these actions. Prior to submitting the Marine’s travel claim, parent command (S-1) must issue a modification to the Marine’s MROWS orders that authorize the procurement of their own commercial transportation. Modifications will include the following non-standard paragraph:
"COMMERCIAL TRAVEL RESERVATIONS WERE MADE VIA THE TMC HOWEVER THE TMC FAILED TO PURCHASE THE COMMERCIAL AIR TICKET. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT THE TIME FOR RESOLUTIONS AND THE TMC FAILING TO RESPOND ORE RESOLVE; AS PRESCRIBED BY THEIR CONTRACT, IAW JTR PARA 020207.F . THE AO HAS CERTIFIED THAT THE TMC IS NOT AVAILABLE AND HAS APPROVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ACTUAL COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATON COST INCURRED, INCLUDING ANY TRANSACTION FEES."
Commanders must ensure all Marine travelers are aware and follow the procedures as prescribed in this message for travel being executed during the month of June 2018. The Commander, Marine Forces Reserve will revisit emergency commercial ticketing procedures and authorization for July 2018, if required.