Expect PCS delays, Air Force memo says
Service members have the option for “do-it-yourself” moves. (DVIDS)
Like many other U.S. businesses, moving companies struggled during the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s why the Air Force is telling its troops to expect moving delays this permanent change of station season, the Federal News Network reports.
“Department of Defense demand this peak permanent change (PCS) of station season has greatly exceeded commercial industry capabilities, largely due to resource constraints associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” an Air Force Personal Property Activity Headquarters memo states. “Per industry, this resulted in a 25 percent decrease in their labor pool, resulting in decreased personal property movement capacity necessary to support private sector and government demand.”
Additionally, not as many third-party freight services are available to ship goods, since those companies were also impacted by COVID, the news outlets reports.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, PCS season was riddled with challenges, including lost shipments, damaged goods and growing out-of-pocket costs for military families. (It’s why we devoted a whole episode to PCS horror stories in season 1!)
The Air Force memo — which also reminded airmen of the option of “do-it-yourself” moves which qualify for reimbursement from the Defense Department — suggested the following actions to help mitigate delays:
Get shipping requests in four to six weeks prior to the pickup window.
Ask about expanding pack/pickup (a.k.a., “spread date”) windows from the current seven-day requirement to 14 days.
Contact the assignments team to determine if they can postpone the move by changing the report-not-later-than date.
Read more here.