Summer moving season in full swing Published May 30, 2013 By Deandra Singleton 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Are you moving from within the CONUS this summer? If yes, be aware the peak summer move season is in full swing. The DoD expects the largest volume of requests for property movement to occur from May 1 to July 31. Much like last season, the entire DoD is competing with the private sector to secure Transportation Service Providers to pack and pick up personal property shipments. We are currently under the 21-day rule and some areas are under a 30-day rule, which means we need 21 to 30 days advance notice before a carrier will move your shipment. To offset the impact to families, the Air Force Joint Personal Property Shipping Offices are using all available tools and options to manage shipment volume and move property in accordance with customers' requested pickup dates. To that end, they are working closely with the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and commercial industries to identify carriers who are able to service shipments. The JPPSOs are also placing some shipments into temporary storage at origin locations. Furthermore, the Military Services have been working with the industries to add flexibility to business rules with a goal of securing maximum carrier capacity. Because there are so many competing pressures for personal property movement this summer, it's important to focus on a few things you can do to offset the impact. First, you can review your schedule and work with the assignments team to determine if you can postpone your move by changing your report-no-later-than-date until after the summer season when carriers are better able to pack and pick up your property. We understand this may be asking a lot, especially for those of you who absolutely cannot afford to make any adjustments (pending home sales, expiration of lease agreements, mission requirements, etc.); however, flexibility in your departure plan affords the JPPSOs an expanded opportunity to move your property. Another very important thing you can do is elect the option to perform a Personally Procured Move (formerly Do It Yourself, or DITY). This option allows you to control your move dates and ensures you have ready access to your property upon arrival at your new location. There are several PPM options including one that reimburses up to what the government would have paid for the move and another where you could receive a financial incentive if your move costs less than 95 percent of the government's constructed cost. Factors such as weight limits, actual weight of property moved and distance between origin and destination determine the amount of money involved. In addition to the old "rent a truck," PPM option, you now have access to new modes within the commercial industry called Portable Moving and Storage Containers These come in the form of containers dropped at your door that you pack and the company picks up, transports, stores and then delivers at your destination at your request. Some companies also offer a menu of associated services including full or partial packing. If you would like to discuss the benefits of PPMs, your local Traffic Management Office can describe the particulars of the program and help determine if this option will work for you. Visit the TMO located at 7215 Goddard Dr. (Bldg 1191 rm 18) or call 731-6280/6281/6282. The Traffic Management Office thanks everyone in advance for their patience and flexibility as they work to move everyone the best way they can.