Originally Posted by
YQMer
While they fly a lot, yes, it wouldn't be in paid J. There are rules around this--but I don't want to go further OT.
Anyway, for those attending, please report back--would love to hear what's new.
Originally Posted by
hjohnson
The only MPs entitled to paid J are, to the best of my recollection, cabinet ministers. The rest are flying on effectively Tango Plus (though I'm sure through some bulk purchasing deal).
A few years ago, I flew home FRA->YOW->YVR on a Friday, and was thus on the MP express from Ottawa to Vancouver. I had already been upgraded on this leg, due to connecting from Frankfurt, but as I passed the podium on the way onto the flight, I saw a whole stack of SSWUs that had been collected from the MPs.
I remember been told a few years ago they get something like 64 trips/yr all in J. Guess that changed now to J only for ministers but Tango+ for the rest.
But because they rack up so many flights and miles quickly, they get to qualify for status quickly and chance for a lot of upgrades. I also remember a friend wanting to invite some MPs for a certain function and was told they have to pay for return J tickets for the MPs, because that's how they usually expect to fly.