Fairchild TMO assures customers they’ll assist Published Sept. 20, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild Airmen who are moving need to plan for additional processing time to schedule household goods pickup as the Traffic Management Office increased their timeline from 35 to 45 days of processing. As TMO rolls out of their peak permanent change of station season, the Regional Joint Personal Property Shipping Office out of Colorado Springs, Colo., is working to alleviate scheduling issues resulting from a 30 percent decline in truck drivers. Fairchild TMO assures members who get a short-notice change of station notification that they can assist. "The customer will automatically get a notification from the Military Personnel Section when they are 90 days out from their projected departure date," said Tech. Sgt. Jared Wilgus, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron TMO acting NCO in charge. The TMO staff stresses they cannot help anyone schedule their shipment until they have orders. "Come see TMO as soon as you get your orders. Please don't wait until the last minute." said Wilgus. "We'll do everything within our power, but if you don't give us any flexibility it puts us in a bind." Because assignments are subject to change, the Air Force cuts down on PCS costs by ensuring orders are final before scheduling household good pickups. "There is information on the orders that we need to create the paperwork," said Ken Armitage, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron quality control specialist. Once a member has orders they must contact TMO to complete documents to schedule a follow up appointment and receive a briefing. "It is imperative that they stop by as soon as they receive their orders," Wilgus said. "We do require them to fill out a personal property worksheet, which indicates to us the exact details of the move. We take that information to set up a follow up appointment where they sign the official shipment application." For members moving to Alaska or within the continental United States they do have the option of moving themselves with reimbursements at 95 percent of what a contractor would be paid. This is now know as a personally-procured move or recently referred to as a do it yourself or 'DITY' move. "It's an entitlement that we bring to the members' attention and it's up to the member to make the decision," said Armitage. "Our job is to make sure they know what they're entitled to, how they can do the move and if they want to do it. The personally procured move can be very labor intensive." The TMO team said they're all about helping Airmen get to their next assignment so the mission can get done. "This office provides frequent quality assurance checks because we want to make sure Airmen and their belongings are cared for," said Wilgus. "We go as far as visiting the residences to ensure that the day's shipments are being packed and picked up." TMO encourages members to stop by their office located in building 2040, call 247-5815 or visit their facebook page by searching 'Fairchild TMO' in the browser, if they have any questions about the moving process.