Persuading the boss to put me in First
 

My Dad is a fairly frequent flyer, well I thought he was until I started coming here!

He flies usually around 2 inter European flights a month and 5/6 London - Denver flights per year. All of these flights are in Business Class and with BA. He is unhappy that for his LHR-DEN routes he has to fly Business Class, and not in First Class as he is President of Europe, Middle East and Asia. All his travel expenses still have to be approved by head office and the President of the company in the US though.

What justification can he use to fly in First rather than in Business class?

In First Class the seats lie completely FLAT so he is able to sleep better and thus be more alert when he arrives at his business meetings.

I could not think of a worse time to bring up such a topic with the head office in the US.

You do not specify what industry he is in but virtually every company across the board is looking at cost cutting measures right now. I'd save your "request" for a more positive economic time when executive management might be more responsive to such ideas..

Anyhow, welcome to Flyertalk. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

Once he buys the company, he'll be able to do whatever he wants. Until then, he shouldn't be profligate with other people's money.

He's on BA so business is already a flat bed.

Being CEO of EMEA isn't reason enough to be in First. If he isn't there he isn't forking in enough for the firm anyway.

On BA there isn't a SINGLE reason to do First instead of Club besides as an ego booster.

Both cabins have flat beds, both have powerports, phone etc...

Don't they have an equivalent to Air Force One? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Welcome to FT.

Not sure of the best way to convince the boss, but if he fails he can take things into his own hands starting 7/1.
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...u/public/en_us

Yes, he'll have to use his miles (rather than using them on family members like you!), but at least his seat/flat bed will be guaranteed to face (almost) forward.

Sorry. I think on BA, you're dad really has no argument here.


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

In terms of business justification, I would say very unlikely.

However, depending on how secure one feels about value one creates for the company, it might be brought up as a compensation benefit. Depending on the company / industry, there might be some give on an item that would still be an "expense" for the company, but a "benefit" for an executive without a personal tax liability.

Not neccesarily. If the aircraft hasn't been converted, you'll have to suffer in the comfy chair (oops I mean cradle seats).

Personally, I'd love to work for a company that forced me to fly business class. I think your dad needs to build a bridge and get over it, and thank his luck stars he gets to fly even business class. He could be sent back to WT- with the rest of us pond scum.

A great bit of wisdom!

That said, he may now have to suffer in Business, as BA look likely to remove the F cabin on this route:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum15/HTML/004037.html

GET A GRIP http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

It's quite easy for any of us to justify First. Simply bring in between 10 and 100 million dollars over quota and you can ride in First anytime you want.

That's what many of us did during the boom times. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Scott--is that the only reason you sit in F most of the time? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Babu (edited 05-23-2003).]

Persuading your boss to put *me* in First -- now that's something worth doing!