Reservist Pins on New Rank in Civilian Workplace 5. Kadena Deployment a First for Hill Fighter Wing 6. Former Outstanding Airman Helps Rescue Children Reservists Can Take Off With GSA Air Fares With a letter of authorization from their wing commander and a government travel card, Air Force reservists can buy government-rate airline tickets to attend unit training assemblies. However, few reservists could use this benefit because there was no system in place to allow them to purchase the city pair air fares. At 11 government-contracted commercial travel offices, where government travel cards were being tested, reservists could buy GSA rate tickets for IDT travel.
Travelers usually have to be on government-issued travel orders to qualify for city pairs.
Air Force Reserve Command wing commanders or their equivalents designate in writing the people in their unit who are outside a reasonable commuting distance and therefore eligible to travel using GSA city pairs. The commanders are also responsible for setting up procedures to ensure travel cards are not misused. Transportation officials in the Pentagon say about 90 percent of the Air Force s commercial travel offices honor government travel cards to pay for travel. If a commercial travel office cannot help, units advise members to call a government-contracted commercial travel agency toll free to arrange IDT travel. In some cases, travelers can obtain tickets commercially for less money.