Sitting in the IAD RCC lounge on Thursday was the one and only Gary Condom - looking decidely unhappy, alone and possibly musing about where Chandra's killers were hiding behind the UA chairs!

Just to keep this within the AC motif, I saw Lyin' Brian late last year running thru YYZ with an AC flunky behind him carrying his briefcase.

How come when I saw Joe Who twice in YOW, he was running alone carrying his own luggage? Is there any fairness in the world today?

Not that he's famous or even popular, but I recently saw Svend R representing the 'workers of Canada' at YVR MLL.

He appeared to be enjoying AC's class structure greatly.

1D

My guess is that all MPs get (weekly) complimentary flights in business class from Ottawa to the nearest airport to their constituency (return); so even if they do not have status, they have MLL access, for their flights?

PS-Now that civil servants can get Aeroplan points for their government flights, can MPs and senators also receive these points?

[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 03-16-2002).]

Don't have an answer to your MP Senator question, but a DFAIT guy was just telling me that the civil servants points accumulate in a Government Aeroplan account? Not allowed to collect for personal use?

Can anyone confirm this?

1D

While most pols have an active interest in doing the right thing they never ever turn down the perks and then some have an idea they are above the rest of us who elect them and that is a flaw in our democracy----they work for us period and they should understand that but we elect our pols blindly for the most part and our system is a little weak in that regard.

[This message has been edited by parnel (edited 03-16-2002).]

[This message has been edited by parnel (edited 03-17-2002).]

MPs and Senators pay for their flights out of a travel budget, they don't get "free flights". When AC was privatized, they lost their "free flights", and became like any other FFer. As such, they have been able to accumulate Aeroplan [and Cdn+] miles, and qualify for elite status just like the rest of us. Parliament is separate from the public service, and thus does not come under the laws and regulations in effect for public servants.

As for using MLLs and flying in the front cabin, grow up guys. I have already posted my views elsewhere on this subject. At least they are paying for the privilege of flying up front, while you, FlyerGold, continue to demand AC upgrade you and your family into the front cabin, spending weeks postin your agonizing threads about what flights are going to best get you upgraded, and complaining and freting constantly when it doesn't look like a definite possibility. If you want to fly up front, get yourself elected, or spend the money.

Most MPs spend most of their weekend in the air, flying across the country to spend a short amount of time with their constituents after a full week working on committees, addressing constituency needs, and sitting in the House. Many here may have little regard for MPs, but for the most part they work longer hours than most middle managers in the private sector, and a few hours respite in the front cabin is the last thing I would deprive them of. It is really a thankless task, and even if you disagree with their party and them personally, they are doing a job most of you would likely never want to do, in full view of the public and media eye.

On public servants and Aeroplan miles: Each department may have their own policy on the use of earned miles, but these are deposited into personal accounts, so the cost of policing the use of awards would likely outweight the value of them to each department. I don't understand why public servants should be treated any differently than private sector employees in this regard?

I, too, have posted my views elsewhere but feel compelled to say the above is extraordinary nonsense.

They made a choice to run and I just happen to be one of their 'employers'. I'm tired of having to 'pay' for their extravagances.

You should grow up s/h because it is us the taxpayer who pays for their J class and as for weekend travel what other job gives you a full indexed pension after five years on the job.
Also most private industry companies don't pay for for J.why do you think Milton is downgrading the service;remember we are canadian and don't like creature comforts like others at least that is what they say about us.I know several large companies where the president has to use his upgrades if he wants to fly J and the policy does differ from company to company I'm sure.
You are another bleeding heart liberal I see.

[This message has been edited by parnel (edited 03-17-2002).]

Shareholder:

To respond to your comments about my post, on this thread, and on previous threads:

1) My statement was a "neutral" statement - a factual statement - there was no implication in that statement whether I agreed or disagreed with the policy, or not -- or whether there was any connection with my previous postings on upgrade - I will comment on that below.

I realize that MPs have to visit the consituency weekly (usually on weekends, when Parliament is in session). If one flies transcontinental return every weekend, it would be too stressful, unless one flies in business class. I therefore support the right of MPs and senators to fly in business class, paid for by taxpayers' money.

My posting was merely a statement that the MPs and senators are entitled to business class tickets, and therefore they are entitled to entering the MLL - even if they have no more than basic status with Aeroplan.

When I posted my earlier comments about strategies for Elites to maximize upgrades, it was not with the implication that I was criticizing anyone else's right to purchase or upgrade those particular seats - only questioning that with those prevailing circumstances, how can I strategize so that I can be successful in upgrading.


2) When I use the word "complimentary" - it a matter of semantics - yes, I realize that someone (in this case, the taxpayer) will pay for it - however, I am using the term in the context that the MP/senator does not have to pay out of his/her own pocket - I do not consider a parliamentary expense account, with certain expenses allowed for travel - coming out of that parliamentarian's own personal funds - (just like we do not have to pay for airline tickets out of our own pockets - business or economy class - when we go on business trips, and our employer/sponsor pays for it - but of course we get the frequent flyer program credit for these flights, nevertheless).

FlyerGoldII

[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 03-17-2002).]

Your speculation and subsequent generalisation, may not actually be fact. Further, I'm not certain anyone suggested public and private sector employees be treated differently.

Shareholder, how come you always seem to write as though you're looking for confrontation?

1D

Yup...

...smile!

All public service travel is governed by Treasury Board, either through the Travel Directives or the Foreign Service Directives.

TBS policy does not apply to persons who are not employed by the Treasury Board. This includes MPs, Senators and employees of Parliament; Minister's political staffs; Order in Council appointees (judges, members of boards and commissions, etc.), they are governed by travel policies of the appropriate agency (though most reflect the standards in the TBS policy).

I was in the MLL in LAX the day the Egyptair flight went down - we were watching the TV. About 4 others in there. There was this rather glamorous lady there - couldn't quite figure our who she was - then the attendant said "Miss Loren I got you a better seat - can you sign the old boarding pass?" Sophia obliged and she and I returned to watching the TV. To make it even better Bob White from the CAW was there too. When Sophia got on the plane to YYZ nobody noticed -really. And Bob didn't need to fend away autograph seekers either. In Toronto, a delegation of Hamilton police were waiting to escort Sophia.

Not the same Bob White who was once the leader of all pinkos;now who would have paid for his flight up front----we the private industry taxpayers of the country of course.Bet he had on his expensive sweater or his $1200 suit.Is that ok too Shareholder?