I will always budget for J when doing overseas shoots which require my crew members [director, camera and sound] to start production within a day of arrival. [On domestics/NAmerican, I budget upgradeable H/M fares.] This is permitted by funding agencies like Telefillm Canada as an acceptable expenditure given the circumstances. I also believe it is a good practice to keep my crew members happy and treat them like the professionals they are. In some cases, when I knew C would be open, I have bought upgradeable fares on AC, then used my own certificates to upgrade my colleagues. My preferred cameramen are both Elites, so we have each been able to take care of the additional crew member(s) on most flights. [And the additional free baggage allotment is one of the best benefits of E or SE status.] In some cases, they will volunteer to use their own upgrade certificates if I buy an upgradeable fare for them, knowing budgets are always constrained, and that the difference between upgradeable Y/H/M and C/J can cover a few extra days of shooting -- which ends up in their pocket as cash -- and some very nice meals on location. As well, flying up front provides us with a degree of space and privacy to pre-plan our shooting schedule, anticipate problems on location, etc.

But professionals should always be expected to travel in J on such long distance travel, and budgets should reflect that.