Plan ahead to make a Smooth Move this "Peak Season"

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Are you moving PCS this spring or summer? Do you realize 65 percent of all personal property moves are initiated between April and July each year? Here are a few tips to help you in making your move less stressful.

- Visit the TMO Personal Property Office with your orders at least 30-45 days prior to the day you want your household goods, baggage or non-temporary storage shipment moved.

- Emergencies are handled on a case-by-case basis.

- Call 720-847-6685 to get a mandatory appointment for counseling. Your orders determine your entitlements.

- Plan on separate dates for each type of shipment, household goods, baggage and NTS.

- Estimate your weight - 1,600 pounds per room is a good rule of thumb, unless you recall how much weight you shipped on your last move.

- Normally 2,500-3,000 pounds can be packed and picked up in one day. For 3,500-5,000 pounds plan one day to pack and one day for pick up and for more than 6,000 pounds plan two days to pack and one day to pick up.

- Moving companies may handle more than one shipment on the same day so you are required to be home from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. Sometimes the company may work until 7 p.m. or later if pre-arranged with you and JPPSO-COs or our office.

- Never plan to have your shipment moved and vacate your residence on the same day, sometimes weather conditions can cause a day delay so please include that extra day for planning purposes.
Should for any reason it become necessary to change or reschedule your moving dates, you must bring in a written request with the valid reason beyond your control, as moving dates are booked 30 days in advance and moving your date at the last minute may impact other moving dates.

- Do not leave cash, jewelry or valuables laying around unattended. Required items such as airline tickets, passports, checkbooks, etc., should be kept in a safe place to avoid being packed by mistake during moving dates.

- Remove articles from crawl or attic spaces, if they are not accessible by a permanent staircase.
Empty, defrost and wash the inside of your refrigerator and freezer and leave open for 24 hours prior to packing date.

- Remove window air conditioners, satellite dishes and television antennas and dissemble any outdoor play equipment, sheds, playhouses, etc.

- Disconnect all stereo components, computers and appliances. If you have original boxes the company will use them. Plasma televisions requires a special box; the original box is best.

- It's the member's responsibility to disconnect the washer and dryer and clean them, prior to shipment.

- Dispose of any unsealed food items that might spill, spoil or contaminate the shipment. We have a list of unauthorized items.

- Dispose of any unserviceable or unwanted items, books, papers and magazines or clothing. Remember, being overweight costs money.

- Separate professional books, papers and equipment and ensure they are identified on the inventory as that is a free allowance--and not counted against your net total weight of items.

- Drain all gasoline from power driven equipment and let the tank air out for a few hours and remove batteries. Oil may be drained but this is not necessary for motorcycles or mopeds or riding lawn mowers.

- Ensure all major items appear on the inventory and it's accurate. Good inventories show what's shipped and the condition of items at time of pick up. If you feel your inventory is inaccurate the bottom of each inventory sheet has a remarks area and you may write any exceptions you feel necessary.

- Most importantly, do not argue with the carrier/company representatives. If there is a problem, call TMO quality control section immediately at 720-847-6686, or contact the quality control inspector, if they left a card, when they visit your shipment movement.

Below are the latest weight allowances for your info:

Grade With
Dependents
Without
Dependents
Civilians, All Grades 18,000 18,000

Officers
0-6 to 0-10 18,000 18,000
0-5 16,000 17,500
0-4, W-4 14,000 17,000
0-3, W-3 13,000 14,500
0-2, W-2 12,500 13,500
0-1, W-1 10,000 12,000

Enlisted
E-9 13,000 15,000
E-8 12,000 14,000
E-7 11,000 13,000
E-6 8,000 11,000
E-5 7,000 9,000
E-4 (Over 2 years) 7,000 8,000
E-4 (Under 2 years) 3,500 7,000
E-3 2,000 5,000
E-2, E-1 1,500 5,000

Above weights include any household goods, baggage and non-temporary storage or self-procured moves using your orders. If going overseas, there may be other weight restrictions, requirements or policies.