733rd continues to offer virtual Space A Roll Call

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  (Editor's note: This is the last article in a series about the virtual Space A program.)

Since the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron implemented and tested the virtual Space Available Roll Call, they have been impressed with the amount of people who utilize the program and have received an enormous amount of feedback on its success.

"The test trial was conducted to see if this program was actually feasible and how well passengers utilized the program," said 1st Lt. Steven Lane, 733rd AMS passenger operations officer in charge. "We've been thoroughly impressed with the amount of people that actually use it."

He added that 54 percent of passengers use virtual roll call compared to having to sit and wait in the terminal. During the test trial, they've completed virtual roll calls on more than 60 flights offering 3,092 seats with 3,657 people competing and out of that, 19,000 people competed virtually, he said.

After his experience of waiting in the terminal with the old Space A program, Capt. Lucas McCloud, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron airborne warning and control system pilot, competed for a flight virtually for the first time and said it has definitely taken a lot of stress away.

"It's helped (my family) to be more relaxed," he said. "To know when we are departing we're definitely leaving that night instead of having the possibility of turning around and coming back with our entire luggage."

"I like the virtual option a lot," he added.

Members at the terminal understand that traveling Space A is taxing on people, particularly families with small children. This program allows them to give passengers back their time and only require them to pack everyone and everything up if they actually are selected for a flight, said Master Sgt. Jessica Coombs, 733rd AMS superintendent of passenger operations, in a previous story.

Although the test trial is complete, the terminal will continue to offer virtual roll call to their passengers and iron out any bumps to ensure their passengers have a good experience.

Lane added that because the test phase was such a success, other bases in Pacific Air Forces will have the opportunity to provide their customers with the same virtual option.