Originally Posted by
dwbmsybtr
Hi everyone. This is my first post ever after lurking for years. I apologize if this has been discussed, and I think this is the right board, since I fly AA. I searched to the best of my ability but couldn't find a definitive answer to this question.
I'm about to subcontract with a prime government contractor and one of the stipulations for travel is following FAR 31.205-46, Travel requirements. Specifically:
Airfare costs in excess of the lowest priced airfare available to the contractor during normal business hours are unallowable except when such accommodations require circuitous routing, require travel during unreasonable hours, excessively prolong travel, result in increased cost that would offset transportation savings, are not reasonably adequate for the physical or medical needs of the traveler, or are not reasonably available to meet mission requirements. However, in order for airfare costs in excess of the above airfare to be allowable, the applicable condition(s) set forth above must be documented and justified.
I'm PLT on AA and COVID has been pretty good to me in terms of upgrades, and the productivity that comes with that. In the experience of others who contract with government, are you confined to the hell that is "basic economy," or is there flexibility in booking that you can leverage to get main cabin. I'm not trying to do anything unethical. I just know I'm going to fly regularly, and I will not be able to get a hell of a lot done in middle seats next to the lav.
Thanks all!
Unfortunately, a lot of this comes down to the travel coordinator. Before I moved up the chain of command, I would often get these crazy flights because they were the cheapest. Now, I routinely ask for reasonable exceptions and they are granted without question. They usually just require some one to sign off on them. In the end, the boss determines what is the "mission", so they can decide if it is worth saving $100 to take the 5:45AM flight versus the 9:15 AM flight. A lot of times the travel people try to convince you there are no exceptions, but they are routine and should be. It doesn't make sense trying save a small amount of money when your time costs more than the money "saved". They use to tell me my time was "free" since it was already budgeted. I reminded them my time is not "free" and me doing my job is the main reason the agency exists. You always got to fight the bureaucracy. Next they will be telling you should wait two hours for the shuttle bus to save $25 on a taxi/uber. Rant over. Good luck