LRS offers help for TDYs

  • Published
  • By Christy Manning and Jim Taggart
  • 66th Logistics Readiness Squadron
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Defense Travel System (DTS) can be confusing. When using DTS, many users may be unsure about whether to use a centrally billed account (CBA) or individually billed account (IBA).

The difference between the two accounts is determined by how many TDY trips one make in a calendar year. Those that make two or less trips in a calendar year are authorized to use the centrally billed account. The traveler using the CBA does not possess a government travel card, or GTC, so their arrangements must be paid from a pool of funds from a centrally billed account. Use of the CBA is for the very infrequent traveler.

Those persons traveling three or more times in a calendar year are required, per regulation, to obtain a GTC and secure all air, hotel and rental car arrangements on this card. The regulation governing GTC possession and use for frequent travelers is DoD 7000.14-R, Volume 9, Chapter 3. Those that have a GTC will use the IBA. Charges will be recouped upon return from TDY and submission of the travel voucher.

Additionally, it is also important to note that requests cannot be submitted for travel occurring in the next fiscal year. Those travelling in October cannot submit a request in DTS until after Oct. 1. If travel is scheduled for Oct. 1 or 2, then a statement can be added in DTS which will prompt approval ahead of the departure date.

As with most things, there are those who don't neatly fall in the above categories. Many new employees find themselves having to travel before their GTC has arrived. Temporary employees also might have to go TDY and may not be permitted to obtain a GTC.

To prevent a return of a DTS travel request, there should always be a justification statement in the remarks area. This will let the reviewers understand why a GTC isn't being used. Adding that quick statement is recommended in order to save time and energy, especially when it may be unclear to the approving officials whether the GTC should or should not be used.

Refer to the person in your organization who approves the DTS requests if it is unclear what account should be used or call Jill Sullivan at 781-377-2640 or Christy Manning at 377-2511 in the Passenger Travel Office

Also, base personnel may be interested to know there is an airport shuttle service. All Department of Defense personnel assigned to Hanscom and that have access to ESC CenterNet may visit the Quick Links portion and click on "HAFB eShuttle."

Once there travelers can find times the shuttle arrives at Logan Airport. It is important to look at available time because, for example, anyone who has a departure at 8 a.m. should take the 6 a.m. shuttle. One must consider the traffic and check in times for a flight. While on the site personnel can also plan return trip to Boston and Hanscom.

The traveler must be on official travel orders to take the shuttle. After selecting shuttle travel times, fax a copy of the travel orders to the 66th Logistical Readiness Squadron's Vehicle Operations Office at 781-377-5922.

The shuttle service operates Monday through Friday, except on holidays, from 6 a.m. until the last trip that departs from Logan at 8:15 p.m. and arrives at Hanscom by 11 p.m. Anyone with questions may call 781-377-2588.