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Return to Article: Get Comfy in Coach

• 43897
  

  There are MANY government employees who are conscientious. We fought to use an aiport closer to the office, with lower fares, and less expensive parking as an option to the "required" contract airline.

  Just One Posted February 20, 2008 9:15 AM
• 43116
  

  To Beerking,

  I am a frequent flyer & I appreciate those airlines, who when there is a vacant seat in first class - first offer it to military persons in uniform, and generally its an enlisted person. Every time I have seen this the entire plane applauds. I doubt that people assume that taxpayer's money is being wasted.

  Vet Fed Posted February 6, 2008 11:17 AM
• 42607
  

  Hmmmmm...if they're not authorized to fly business/first class, then why are they being reimbused for the entire cost? Let the violator pay the difference. This is so typical, everyone in government acts as if they are not responsible for their own actions. The problem is the people tasked with enforcement of the rules...they're not enforcing anything. As usual, the GAO submits a report and nothing changes....WOW!

  RM Posted January 30, 2008 2:27 PM
• 42519
  

  This would be less of an issue if the airlines provided a more humane traveling experience to coach class passengers. And now I hear rumors (via the New York Times) about newly designed "seats" where you're strapped in standing up!! Of course, flying has just gotten to be more and more of an ordeal -- having to pack lunch and dinner because you never know when the in-flight boxed meals will run out, increased chance of delayed or canceled flights and missed connections, all the miseries and indignities of new and ever-evolving airport security practices, etc. If flying became LESS of a hassle and more HUMANE, I bet folks wouldn't mind flying coach class as much, and hopefully that would reduce the temptation to abuse the system and buy business class tickets.

  anon Posted January 29, 2008 6:14 PM
• 42504
  

  Uniformed personnel are specifically discouraged from riding in first class, even when offered a free upgrade, due to the potential impression left on the general public that they are wasting taxpayer $. should be the same for ALL federal employees.

  Beerking Posted January 29, 2008 1:49 PM
• 42471
  

  The question every US citizen should be asking is this,...If federal employees are not allowed to be reimbursed for first class or business fares because it is seen as a waste of taxpayer money, why are we subsidizing corporations doing the exact same thing? By allowing corporations to write off the entire cost of first class and business travel as an expense, they end up not paying a fair share of taxes. Inevitably it is the middle class citizens who end up paying higher taxes to make up for the lost tax revenue. We should change the tax code and let the corporate executives pay for these higher fares out of their own pocket.

  rick Posted January 29, 2008 10:08 AM
• 42456
  

  No one is more important or need to be more alert than our soldiers flying into a war zone where they may have to hit the ground "dodging bullets". Don't think you will find them in first/business class.

  Pat Duncan Posted January 29, 2008 8:36 AM
• 42121
  

  I fly about 100k miles every year, and have done so for 15 years. Like Frequent Flyer, I use miles to upgrade. Also, I know many people get the 'boondoggle' trips, so my only question is: When do I get one? (I always have to work and very seldom get a 'rest period' and almost never get a layover en route).

  Ifly2 Posted January 24, 2008 9:13 AM
• 42117
  

  I recently returned on a business trip from San Diego to Wash DC and, of course, was in coach. My seatmates were none other than the Secretary of Education and her aide. She seemed to have no trouble getting her work done (and late into the evening). I found her to be a warm and down-to-earth leader - not a hint of pretentiousness or over-indulgent ego. We need more senior leaders in public service with her attitude and demeanor.

  Rick Posted January 24, 2008 8:49 AM
• 42086
  

  As usual, the people that deserve to get biz class will be left out. Travelling 20-some hours with 2 kids while PCSing to/from a 3rd world country is as legit as can be. Why not simply enforce the 14 hour rule?

  E Posted January 23, 2008 5:45 PM
• 42080
  

  Frequent flyer, our agency requires the giving up of all such benefits so that executives can fly more comfortably. I have to sit in the back and take it like a man, and then go to meetings. Why shouldn't a manager have to? I have no sympathy. Even when I was in the private sector as an award winning salesman, I sat in the back. No sympathy.

  No frequent flyer Posted January 23, 2008 3:38 PM
• 42057
  

  You have to read the fine print when using the 14 hour rule. If you have a rest period after arriving you are not eligible. And, when planning your travel, you must take this into account and make every effort to allow for a rest period. Leave a day early -- fly in the back!

  Gator Posted January 23, 2008 12:10 PM
• 42051
  

  The good news is that it will stop all the unnecessary travel oversea's the majority of which is a boondoggle. 12 people flew to Hong Kong for a business class?? what absolute nonsense and then people why Fed employees are held in such low esteem. As for State its a perk?? Tough they already have a party job

  dan ketter Posted January 23, 2008 11:20 AM
• 42043
  

  I fly first class. I use my frequent flyer status to upgrade. Why don't you do the same?

  Frequent Flyer Posted January 23, 2008 10:41 AM
• 42042
  

  "A Foreign Agricultural Service executive flew from Washington to Hong Kong in business class for $6,900, while 11 other employees flew on the same flight back in coach for $1,400 each"

  Why is this abuse? I've seen memos stating that international flights over 14 hours (or meetings tha morning followung the travel day) are entitled to upgrades. sounds to me like the travelers in coach got screwed. Imagine that, government workers getting shafted.

  Travel is not a priviledge, it's an onus required by our jobs.

  bill t. Posted January 23, 2008 10:38 AM
• 42033
  

  Notice the examples are NOT just the rank & file. In almost 30 years of service the only abusers I've seen have been the contractors who get to fly first class (take a flight to the Middle East and see who is in first class!) & the political appointees who feel "entitled". Your average employee (and most ARE) wouldn't even think of doing this!

  RITGAR Posted January 23, 2008 9:58 AM
• 42031
  

  It's about time. I'd say welcome to "steerage", but these "abusers of priviledge" will figure some way around these restrictions.

  Old Tar Posted January 23, 2008 9:40 AM