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Takeahop Signup Server FAQs - forumsadmin01 - 08-13-2007 05:08 PM
Q: So...just who are you and why should I trust you?
A: First the who: I'm just a CAT VI space-a traveler (an AF retiree, if you're curious) who just wanted to help others in a small way. Simple as that. The Takeahop domains (.com, .org, and .net) are owned and controlled by me alone.
Now, why you can trust me: well, you have to be able to believe in something, don't you? Over and over, people have shown that they believe in this server and what it does to help ease signing up for space-a travel.
So far, it's processed over 80,000 signup requests (as of Nov 2008). A request can be for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 departure locations, so this actually translates to over 285,000 signup e-mails! And, thanks to your support, it does this without any ads, no pop-up windows, no weekly e-mail newsletters, or any other commercial nuisances.
It also earned itself a mention in MilitaryMoney's Winter 2007 edition, a military-consumer-advocate magazine with a readership of over 500,000. While you won't hear an official endorsement of the Takeahop signup server, there are indeed a good number of terminal personnel who refer to Takeahop very positively. (Having said that, a number of terminal personnel aren't even aware of Takeahop, because they just receive the e-mail and process it, with Takeahop in the backseat.)
The server is physically located in Germany (as am I) with Europe's second largest web hoster, in their own certified facilities. I do all I can to protect your data for the brief time it's on the server. After confirming your signup request, e-mails are generated and all personal information is deleted from this server. E-mails are only stored temporarily and locally, and purged, at the latest, at each month's end. Personal information, including e-mail address, will not be knowingly shared with anyone other than the terminal in question.
While I'm not a public person, I'm not hiding under a rock either. I'm proud to say that I'm one of the members of the Pepperd.com Space-A Message Board (operated by Dirk Pepperd), where I've been a member (on the current board) since 2003. You'll find me there as "Rob G".
Q: Do I have to pay you for anything here?
A: No, absolutely not; although there have been some ridiculous rumours to the contrary. There's never EVER been any charge for using this signup service. Donations aren't required, but are accepted and appreciated in any amount, if you find value and wish to contribute toward its continuing existence. (And thank you to those who've graciously donated.)
Q: Where can I find help with general Space-A questions?
First stop should be hitting the books (or making your sponsor do it) to make sure you're even eligible. So...either 1) make your sponsor turn off the TV and do some research
or 2) call your local passenger terminal or 3) make a visit to John D.'s Space-A Pages and read the FAQs for Space-A. Yes, it's sometimes complicated, but there's nothing worse than going to a terminal only to find out you're not even eligible to travel. And, visit Pepperd.com to read or participate in discussions on Space-A. Q: OK, so I've signed up for at least one departure point and one destination. Does that mean I have a seat for sure?
A: This question alone says "I don't know what military space-available travel is" as well as "I didn't read the question before this one nor research it". So, hit the books, or the regulations, I should say. Visit John D.'s Space-A Pages (plenty of links to there from this site) and read, read, read. And, visit Pepperd.com. Join in.
But, to at least answer the question here: heck no, there's no guarantee (regardless of how, when or where you sign up for space-A) that you'll have any seat on any aircraft, anywhere. Ever. But, that's how space-a'ing works.
Q: Can I call someone at a base for flight information? If so, what are the phone numbers?
John D.'s Space-A Pages got this one covered.
Q: You've still got a field on the online form for SSAN, but I thought it wasn't needed anymore. Is it or isn't it?
A: For AMC-operated terminals, it's not needed at time of signup, but for non-AMC terminals, it's hit-and-miss, often depending on who is on-duty at that moment. Follow your heart or call ahead to the terminal and clarify; that's all I can say. (I personally couldn't care less if you provide your SSAN or not. You can be assured I do not permanently store them. They're only being forwarded to the terminal in question.)
Q: Can I use a PDA or a mobile phone with Takeahop to sign up for space-A?
A: Sure. Takeahop's signup system is compatible with most PDAs. It was written in standardized mobile code. Having said that, there are still a very low number of people who've been unable to confirm the signup. Your best bet is to do a practice signup with your PDA ahead of time; then you'll know what to expect.
Q: I can't click on the confirmation link in the inital e-mail. What do I do now?
A: This comes up most often from AOL users. The fact is, some Internet mail providers, including AOL, choose to monkey with your incoming messages and they display them differently than the sender intends, even when the sender is conforming with standardized protocols and formatting (which is the case with Takehop e-mails).
All I can say is, consider using a different e-mail account for your signups. (And maybe consider hassling your e-mail provider into formatting your incoming mails appropriately.
UPDATE, 30 Aug 07: I've added a special link within the e-mail messages especially for AOL users. So far, the reports are positive, so with any luck, this question will become a non-issue.
Q: I filled out the on-line form, clicked OK, but I haven't received any e-mails. Now what?
A: Check your bulk mail/spam folders. Quite often, that's where the confirmation message (or even the signup copy, afterward) end up. (Also: check the spelling of the e-mail address you've entered. Maybe you spelled your own address wrong.)
Q: I signed up for four departure points in the States (CHS, DOV, Norfolk, Jax ANG) for travel to Spain and others using the Takeahop server. Clicked the confirmation reply (almost 24 hrs ago), and got a copy of the forwarded requests. However, only one of the four installations have given me a confirmation. Should I make a new request directly from my e-mail account to the ones that did not reply to the Takeahop server e-mail?
A: No. The terminals get tons of requests for Space-A travel and, as such, don't always acknowledge e-mails. And some locations don't even bother entering the data anywhere, because they know that the vast majority of those people who signed up won't even be showing up at the terminal. But, if you're really concerned, you can call the terminal and ask for verification that they received it. Or, like most people do it, just print out a copy of the signup (which will have the locations and the date/time of transmission) and have it with you when you arrive at the terminal(s). I don't know of a single terminal that doesn't honor such printouts.
Q: I've misplaced my copy of my signup. Can you retrieve a copy from the Takeahop server and forward it for me?
A: Well...maybe...but don't bet on it. To protect everyone's privacy, the entire process is automated and, after a given amount of time (usually between 7 and 30 days), all data is purged from the server. So if it's only been a few days, you can ask, but don't be surprised if I have to give you bad news.
Q. Using the signup server requires two steps. Filling out the form (then waiting on a response.) Then, confirming the response. Why the extra effort?
A: Quite simple. It keeps your average spammer from coming to Takeahop and pounding out hundreds of spam e-mails, all in one pop. I'm still looking at using so-called CAPTCHA technology, but it's still not where I think it needs to be, for me to open the floodgates.
Q: I know of other bases / posts/ naval air stations that support space-A, but they're not listed on Takeahop. Why not?
A: Takeahop only listed thoses bases/posts/stations which accept e-mail signups. For other locations, you'll have to find alternative means to sign up, such as fax, postal mail, calling in, or sometimes walking right up to a counter. If a base accepts e-mail and honors Takeahop signups, you can bet I'll be adding it to the signup server listing.
Q: Why doesn't Takeahop have feature "X"?
A: Feel free to pass on your ideas, but please don't get your hopes up for too many new features. The Takeahop goal is to facilitate a simple, multi-terminal, military space-a signup system. It's this simplicity which makes the signup system usable on so many different computers and mobile phone/PDA platforms.
Q: Where did you get the idea of the signup server?
A: The idea was not mine; the idea has in fact been around for quite some time. A gentleman by the name of Roy Buckman had what is generally considered to be the original concept of a multi-terminal signup server. When Roy passed away in May 2005, the Space-A community lost one of its great champions. (Read more about Roy Buckman here: http://www.spacea.info/bio.html). He had maintained his own Space-A board and a signup server with heart and soul; both the board and his signup server were no longer available to the community. The members of Pepperd.com challenged each other to come up with a plan to restore the capability and I went to work designing a follow-on to his original concept. Now, after a complete rewrite in 2006, and multiple upgrades in 2007 and 2008 (with lots of great suggestions and user testing), we're using what I consider version 3 of the Takeahop server.
Q: How do I add my question here?
A: Feel free to post in the User's Feedback forum. If it's deemed appropriate, I'll consider including it here in the future.
Thanks, everyone, for your continued trust and support!