Lot's of food for thought here.

First, Randy is correct; enforcement varies. I once worked for the DOD as a civilian (GS-10). I flew periodically on commercial carriers. Often, I flew on "my" carrier. It would have been easy enough to earn, and keep, the miles. However, the penalty if caught was severe enough to keep me honest. I observed a number of folks who had more to lose than I, who chose to keep the miles. Good on them!

I will say that public funds should not be squandered on higher fares, or "manipulated" itineraries, but if you are flying the best route and the best fare on the government contracted carrier, let the employee keep the miles. It costs the government nothing. The ticket cost is the same if you keep the miles (and redeem them) or if you leave them unclaimed.

On a personal note, it fries my *** that I am paying even the lowliest government employee to spend one second worrying about this. It is not the government's business, outside of the parameters mentioned above.

Also, as Randy noted, miles are awarded on government fares.

I have flown plenty of evenings and weekends for both the private and public sector. Seems to me that the one whose butt is planted in the seat deserves the miles. An easy way to take away some of the pain.

Also seems the cost of administering any sort of compliance monitoring program would have no fiscal benefit. Plus, you will always have the clever few who beat you anyway.

We do still live in a representative democracy, correct. (Yes, I know we live in a republic). Maybe a grass roots effort from all of us could get the government out of the mileage monitoring business. None of their **** business. For my taxpayer dollar, I say they have better things to do.

I can speak from personal experience; our public servants and uniformed personnel are overworked and underpaid and still perform admirably. Give them the bennies.

End o'rant! Thank you all for putting up with me.