Seems I stand corrected on that one for US flying. I find it astounding to believe that when Kennedy, or leading Senators, or Alan Greenspan etc, fly on official business domestically they are always down in coach, even on 6 hour+ transcon flights, but I learn something new each day.

EVERY serving Federal politician here, (and many State as well) House of Reps or Senate gets automatic entitlement to First or Business Class seating for ANY domestic flight they make, on business or otherwise, ditto their spouses, and sadly, ditto their children pretty often.

Worse still HERE, they get to personally keep the Flyer points as well!

There was a notorious matter recently where a Senator Mal Colston used to fly up front from Canberra to WA, (transcon) get off the plane, reboard, and fly back to Canberra just to get the flyer points, and get a special travel allowance! Police could not touch him for all the zillions of bucks in wasted money on the flights, but tried to prosecute him for claiming he flew on 43 days when he did not, but claimed the allowance for. Even that one fizzed out, and no charges were laid.

All senior government employees here in the Greenspan league, and most a lot more junior have the same legal entitlement. Retiring long serving MP's, Senators, and all ex PM's get an unlimited Gold Pass for LIFE for domestic travel and a specificed number of It'l, all in First or Business, if a First cabin not offered.

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~ Glen ~