Part-145 maintenance provider with a global presence. Management.
More than 7 hours = business class. No requirement to step off the aircraft and straight into the office. Going East I usually travel on a Saturday, take the Sunday off to get rid of jetlag, and present myself in the office on Monday mornings. Going West, I usually travel on a Sunday to be in the office late Monday (around noon).
On the topic of taking money in lieu of J travel? Not in a million years, unless I was given enough money to pay for the upgrade. In which case, what's the point? I earn enough to make a comfortable living, and have everything I need. Thus, extra money is not worth the hardship of slugging it out in steerage. Besides, what kind of signal are you sending if you accept cash in lieu of J? You're basically saying that J-class travel really isn't necessary, and the next step the company will take will be a logical extension of that.