TMO to undergo regionalization

  • Published
  • By 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron
  • 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Beginning Oct. 1, the Department of Defense will regionalize all front office functions of what was once the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron's traffic management flight.

The functions of scheduling inbound or outbound personal property (i.e., household goods) will become the responsibility of the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office in Colorado Springs, Colo., (also known as JPPSO-COS).

As a result, the traffic management flight of LRS will transition to a liaison function, providing you with personal property move counseling and quality control. They will also ensure you are provided the contact information necessary to coordinate your move through JPPSO-COS.

Lt. Col. David Holt, JPPSO-COS director, offered some tips to help alleviate some of the stress you may experience during this busy time:

"Make an appointment as soon as you get your orders, but no later than 45 days in advance of your requested pack and pick-up date; this allows adequate time for the booking section to get a carrier arranged," Colonel Holt said. "It's important to have not only your desired pack and pick-up dates, but a second and third option as well in the event that your primary dates are not available.

"The JPPSO-COS goal is to book your shipment 30 days prior to the shipment pickup date," Colonel Holt added. "Once it's booked, you will receive an automated phone call followed up with an e-mail confirming your carrier, local agent and their contact information and your pack/pickup dates. JPPSO-COS will not change your pack/pickup dates unless an emergency situation arises. As a general rule, the last week of the month is the busiest time for moves."

Make sure you provide good contact information (i.e., phone numbers and email address) for origin pickup, in-transit and destination. Historically, members provided a home telephone number for origin pickup then disconnected the phone number prior to their pack date. It's best if you have a cell phone and provide that number for contact throughout your move process, Colonel Holt said.

When you report to your new duty station, immediately notify the destination traffic management flight (their phone number is listed in block 13 of your shipment application) with contact information and delivery instructions.

All too often, servicemembers discuss plans with the carrier or their agent, but fail to provide contact information to the destination TMF.

Not contacting the destination TMF to provide updated contact information often results in inconvenience and could result in excess costs to the servicemember. The destination TMF typically has two hours to notify you of shipment arrival and to make a decision to either put your property in temporary storage or direct the delivery to your residence. Keep in mind that delivery from temporary storage could take several days or weeks during the summer, depending on location.

Both JPPSO and the Whiteman TMF encourage you to be proactive and involved with your move from counseling appointment to final delivery. Timely communication between you, our office and JPPSO-COS is extremely important to ensure your move is seamless.

For more information on moving household goods and helpful tips for getting ready for a move, visit the Air Force Move Web site home page at http://afmove.hq.af.mil.

Additionally, our office is available to answer any questions you may have pertaining to your move. Simply give one of our personal property counselors a call at 687-4125/4126 or DSN: 975-4125/4126.