Bombshell (for me) - New travel policy

[moa999]

Whilst I appreciate SBF's desire not to name their employer, I still think a name/shame policy would work.

The more this is seen as a negative from a employee retention, employee fairness perspective, the less likely other companies will negotiate this policy.
I have always viewed the SCs and points as a very small amount of recompense for the 5am wakeups for the 6/630am flight for the 9am meeting in another city.

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Actually think in many cases it could end up costing the company more, as the frequent flyers (who would otherwise have gained Gold or Platinum) demand a Qantas Club membership.

 

[Boris spatsky]

We have just moved to a policy where taxis are only to be used as a last resort. It's killing me. Nearly missed a few flights trying to get to airports at weird hours on the bus (Adelaide seems to be the worst!)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

For those people who may have job interviews coming up, a timely reminder to find out key factors in their travel policy as this could be the deciding factor for the individual when choosing which company to work for?

 

[nlagalle]

We have just moved to a policy where taxis are only to be used as a last resort. It's killing me. Nearly missed a few flights trying to get to airports at weird hours on the bus (Adelaide seems to be the worst!)

That's wrong.. If I get told to take PT to the airport i will miss a flight..

 

[munitalP]

My previous travel policy was flex economy fare on QF unless QF didn't fly there with all reasonable expenses paid. No LAHA or other payment. Hotels usually Hilton if available or similar.

I'm now on a FIFO and have a J arrangement for main flight. Co pays from home to work all costs associated. I travel in their time as well, meaning I am paid 10 hours to get from SYD to site however at a reduced rate of around 1/3 of my normal rate.

We have a QF policy here as well with no SC or FF point limitation.

 

[Blinky]

For those people who may have job interviews coming up, a timely reminder to find out key factors in their travel policy as this could be the deciding factor for the individual when choosing which company to work for?

I very good point. I just interviewed for a position which will involve a bit (not a heap) of air travel, and I neglected to talk about our travel policy. I'll make sure I do so in future.

 

[fersea]

If I was running a large corporation and I saw that Govt got a deal for cheaper flights but no points, I would be looking for a similar deal. As a public servant I don't get points (do get status) and that doesn't seem unreasonable. Let's face it, there aren't too many people who fly regularly for work on 50k. Generally you are in a job with pretty reasonable compensation and I would have thought travel is part of earning that decent income.

 

[fersea]

We have just moved to a policy where taxis are only to be used as a last resort. It's killing me. Nearly missed a few flights trying to get to airports at weird hours on the bus (Adelaide seems to be the worst!)

Thats pretty rough. Although I think there is merit in companies encouraging public transport use if there are easy connections (say SYD or Bris airports to the CBD).

Personally I find it easier and cheaper to drive to Canberra airport and park there rather than worry about taxis.

 

[blu]

My son does some periodic FIFO work (WA & NT) plus international travel (hit SG in this, his first year).
His multinational company changed the LH policy from J to Y just after he joined.
He just had a 28hr travel day from home to BOS in Y (along with bad seat choices).
I think he only got 45 sc (DFW) & 40 sc (LAX) for the QF sectors.
He didn't have 'spare' points to upgrade to Y+ (and should such be used for business travel?).
The inconsistency is that he can take taxi home at over $230.

 

[Moody]

We have just moved to a policy where taxis are only to be used as a last resort. It's killing me. Nearly missed a few flights trying to get to airports at weird hours on the bus (Adelaide seems to be the worst!)

I always look for the best-value mode of transport .... but I also take into account that time is money. So to and from my home I use taxis because the train would take too long and is not significantly cheaper anyway. Most of my colleagues use booked limos as they live further from the airport and the additional cost is quite low and the additional convenience (rarely late) quite high. If on my own in Melbourne and Brisbane I would usually take the bus/train respectively, but if travelling with colleagues I usually (but not always) go for a taxi. In Canberra and Auckland I will usually hire a car as some clients are a long taxi-fare away.

Blanket policies designed by people that don't travel are the problem here.

 

[Fantic125]

We have just moved to a policy where taxis are only to be used as a last resort. It's killing me. Nearly missed a few flights trying to get to airports at weird hours on the bus (Adelaide seems to be the worst!)

We certainly seem to have the coughpiest public transport system here in ADL. Unless you're in the CBD and taking a bus directly to the airport you're in for a long transit and wait time.

 

[JessicaTam]

We certainly seem to have the coughpiest public transport system here in ADL. Unless you're in the CBD and taking a bus directly to the airport you're in for a long transit and wait time.

One day ADL will have a radial bus service. And the City Circle doesn't count.

 

[risky]

...the 5am wakeups for the 6/630am flight for the 9am meeting in another city.

For a 6am flight, with 5:30am cutoff, I would need to allow 1hr+ on a good morning to get to the airport, which realistically means an 0400 or earlier start. So I don't do it - fly the night before if I need to start at 0830-0900.

We also have a BFOD policy; sometimes you can play the timetable game, but that is harder for SYD-MEL. I hope nobody at my company ever decides to try and buy fares without the SC/FF content - that would remove the last little piece of incentive. Those sorts of decisions seem to be made overseas though, so here in the antipodes, we probably fly under the radar!

 

[SeatBackForward]

If you found a cheaper J class fare out there (that would earn points & SC) would you be allowed to travel on that instead of your 'special' non points/SC earning company fare?

Nope strict policy that all travel must be made using our Travel dept. Even if we want an arrangement for family to travel with us, they book the tickets then we re-imburse them..I'm sure it beefs up their stats

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If you found a cheap ret fare in whY Aust/SIN/Aust then a ret fare in J on AY SIN/xHEL/LHR/xHEL/SIN that worked out cheaper would your travel dept be able to book that?

 

[simongr]

We had a no limo policy - I elected to pay the difference myself - the difference between a "limo" and a taxi was $0...

 

[SeatBackForward]

If you found a cheap ret fare in whY Aust/SIN/Aust then a ret fare in J on AY SIN/xHEL/LHR/xHEL/SIN that worked out cheaper would your travel dept be able to book that?

No its quite complex as there are across the board deals that have been negotiated, is my understanding. I'm sure if i handed in an expense claim with the price of air tickets on there, it would be knocked back as its not considered "elligible expenditure".

 

[Blinky]

Well if I were QF WP I'm pretty certain I would fly forward, but I doubt I can with a mere red card. I haven't had success in the past.
And the only way a DJ Gold won't get an earlier flight is if it was absolutely full.

Well I was completely wrong. Not only did I get an earlier flight, but I got an aisle seat in the front row of economy. So well done Qantas, but I'm still a Virgin fanboi.

I am a moron though. I've never flown Qantas out of Sydney (I've flown Jetstar) and went to my normal terminal looking for the Qantas check in. All I could find was Qantas Link, where the very helpful staff member checked me in on an earlier flight, moved my seat, and pointed out that the Qantas terminal was on the other side of the carpark.

Come to think of it, if you don't have baggage to check in, this might be worth trying in peak times.

 

[mannej]

Well I was completely wrong. Not only did I get an earlier flight, but I got an aisle seat in the front row of economy. So well done Qantas, but I'm still a Virgin fanboi.

I am a moron though. I've never flown Qantas out of Sydney (I've flown Jetstar) and went to my normal terminal looking for the Qantas check in. All I could find was Qantas Link, where the very helpful staff member checked me in on an earlier flight, moved my seat, and pointed out that the Qantas terminal was on the other side of the carpark.

Come to think of it, if you don't have baggage to check in, this might be worth trying in peak times.

Don't tell trippin_the_rift this, they will not like the fact that you ended up in the first row of Economy!

 

[serfty]

Don't tell trippin_the_rift this, they will not like the fact that you ended up in the first row of Economy!

Nah! He probably was upgraded to 1C from the 4D to accommodate Blinky ...

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...