Persuading the boss to put me in First
May 17, 2003 | 11:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: BA Silver, Lufthansa Senator
Posts: 15
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?
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?
May 17, 2003 | 12:14 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chicago,IL.
Posts: 3,022
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.
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.
May 17, 2003 | 1:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: bringing sexy back
Posts: 7,751
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Lounge Lizard:
What justification can he use to fly in First rather than in Business class?</font>
What justification can he use to fly in First rather than in Business class?</font>
May 17, 2003 | 1:33 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: BA, AA, DL, KLM, UA
Posts: 37,489
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sowalsky:
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.</font>
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.</font>
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...
May 17, 2003 | 2:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Brooklyn, NY, US
Posts: 2,311
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Lounge Lizard:
he is President of Europe, Middle East and Asia. </font>
he is President of Europe, Middle East and Asia. </font>
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.
May 17, 2003 | 3:24 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Still going through ORD security when boarding has already started
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Hyatt Disco, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,322
Sorry. I think on BA, you're dad really has no argument here.
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
May 17, 2003 | 3:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: (SMV) St. Moritz, Switzerland
Programs: LH SEN, AA AAirpass, IC Ambassador Platinum, *wood Gold
Posts: 1,343
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.
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.
May 22, 2003 | 3:42 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA/BD Gold/IC A/*Wood Gold - Certified BodyCombat and BodyPump Instructor
Posts: 6,070
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
He's on BA so business is already a flat bed.
</font>
He's on BA so business is already a flat bed.
</font>
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.
May 22, 2003 | 3:56 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 6,147
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LHR Tim:
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.
</font>
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.
</font>
May 22, 2003 | 4:11 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA/BD Gold/IC A/*Wood Gold - Certified BodyCombat and BodyPump Instructor
Posts: 6,070
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
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum15/HTML/004037.html
May 22, 2003 | 7:29 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
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.
That's what many of us did during the boom times.
May 23, 2003 | 4:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,051
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
On BA there isn't a SINGLE reason to do First instead of Club besides as an ego booster.</font>
On BA there isn't a SINGLE reason to do First instead of Club besides as an ego booster.</font>
[This message has been edited by Babu (edited 05-23-2003).]
