EBay sale from employee - unlimited travel

[BoeingBoy]

Naw - can't be Dougie or Scooter.......they, their family, and their friends get space positive. No worries about space available for them.

Jim

 

[JS]

That was a pretty neat idea. Putting on my conspiracy theory hat, the seller found a sucker and "canceled" the auction to keep HR at bay.

Of course, had Clinton and Bush not railroaded their idea of what "family" means into federal law, this wouldn't be an issue, because there would have to be plenty of other records with HR for health and retirement purposes, making it pretty difficult to sell the position of a spouse.

Now that I think about it, $5,000 is not a bad price for someone who has plenty of time.

 

[EMBFA]

This is different then selling a buddy pass to a specific buyer. This person is selling his/her "friendship" for one year. Being this person's "friend" carries the privilege of being on their travel benefits, which is now possible because of the ramifications of the domerstic partners obtaining travel rights of an employee. Once the travel benefits were opened up to people outside the traditional family (Wife, Children, Mother and Father (or in-laws)) this type of arrangement became legally possible.

As someone who comes from what you'd obviously cosider a "non-traditional" family, I can't help but sense a bit of bigotry, or at the very least ignorance in your post. You must be unfamiliar with the difference between a Domestic Partner and a Registered Guest.

A Domestic Partner is considered the same as a spouse and extends beyond travel to insurance, bereavement, and more. Documentation must be produced, much more than is required from a married couple. US Airways is unique in that they recognize both same-sex and opposite-sex partners (most companies take the stance that opposite-sex partners can marry if they wish to receive benefits). It is not an easy or casual thing. A friend, fling, or lay of the week could not pass for a Domestic Partner, nor could an internet bidder.

US Airways is also unique in that it offers a Registered Guest program to single employees. The RG program is for travel only, and the employee can add anyone they wish. Say what you will about US, but they have hands-down the most generous travel program of the majors. It is also the most fair in that it does not favor married employees (state-recongnized or not) over single employees. They are not legally required to offer anything to anyone as far as travel priveges are concerned.

I seriously doubt this person is offering to produce proof of shared financial reponsibility, shared residency, and notarize legal documents declaring partnership, and then pay for the health insurance of a stranger on Ebay. They are clearly offering thier Registered Guest Pass. So, enlighten me, what on earth does this have to do with the "ramifications of domestic partners obtaining travel" or "people outside the traditional family?"

I think this person is a fool, but it's not like people don't get something in return from thier registered guest. Reciprocal travel benefits from an employee of another airline, free food or drink at a friend's bar, money, whatever. Most people just don't literally broadcast it over the internet or make deals trusting thier travel privleges with a complete stranger.

 

[birdinhann]

…"You must be unfamiliar with the difference between a Domestic Partner and a Registered Guest."… Well I am very familiar with the difference because my Opposite Sex Domestic Partner and I have been through the ringer with the company concerning Health Insurance. You (EMBFA) state ..." US Airways is unique in that they recognize both same-sex and opposite-sex partners (most companies take the stance that opposite-sex partners can marry if they wish to receive benefits)â€￾... Guess what ... where health care is concerned US Airways takes the same stance. US Airways dose not, I repeat dose not provide healthcare to Opposite Sex Domestic Partners. How do I know? I filed a grievance with the IAM and it went all the way to level 3 before it died a quiet death. And the kicker is HP as late as 2006 provided Health care to both same sex and opposite sex domestic partners. But with the merger and United Health Care, gone is the opposite sex domestic partner health care. And by the way there most certainly is imputed income tax on Opposite Sex Domestic Partner travel. I have the check stubs to prove it. So EMBFA our travel policy as far as Opposite Sex Domestic Partners are concern are at best lousy, :down: And health care is non-existent!!!



bird

 

[EMBFA]

I wasn't aware that the company's plan no longer provides opposite sex partner health care. I'm sorry to hear that and hope that changes for you and yours. Regardless though, a Domestic Partner and a Registered Guest are very different things.

Imputed income is unfortunately applied to all DPs and RGs... I don't recall implying otherwise? This is something the company legally has to do. To add perspective however, when you say the travel for partners is lousy, keep in mind that some airlines do not recongnize domestic partners of any description in any capacity, and the Registered Guest program is truly unique. Most of the US major airlines still charge or payroll deduct a fee for employee travel, and some have waiting periods after initial employment until they are eligible for travel. We really are very lucky in this particular department, particularly due to the commuter nature of most employee travel at US as opposed to pleasure travel.

I'm sure you're with me in failing to see what domestic partnership has to do with this guy on EBay.

 

[birdinhann]

I wasn't aware that the company's plan no longer provides opposite sex partner health care. I'm sorry to hear that and hope that changes for you and yours. Regardless though, a Domestic Partner and a Registered Guest are very different things.

Imputed income is unfortunately applied to all DPs and RGs... I don't recall implying otherwise? This is something the company legally has to do. To add perspective however, when you say the travel for partners is lousy, keep in mind that some airlines do not recongnize domestic partners of any description in any capacity, and the Registered Guest program is truly unique. Most of the US major airlines still charge or payroll deduct a fee for employee travel, and some have waiting periods after initial employment until they are eligible for travel. We really are very lucky in this particular department, particularly due to the commuter nature of most employee travel at US as opposed to pleasure travel.

I'm sure you're with me in failing to see what domestic partnership has to do with this guy on EBay.

EMBFA

Yes I am with you in that regard. And NO it was not you who implied that DP's were not imputed income. I assumed everyone thought that DP travel was free I wanted to inform everyone that is not the case. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I admit I was a bit harsh in my assesment of our travel policy. I suppose I am still a little bitter about US Airways denial of Health Care coverage to Opposite Sex Domestic Partners.



bird

 

[Elevation]

Only a freakin' moron would pay $5k for a year of standby.

How about accepting a job for crap money just for the flight benies... I think it's almost the same.

 

[EMBFA]

EMBFA

Yes I am with you in that regard. And NO it was not you who implied that DP's were not imputed income. I assumed everyone thought that DP travel was free I wanted to inform everyone that is not the case. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I admit I was a bit harsh in my assesment of our travel policy. I suppose I am still a little bitter about US Airways denial of Health Care coverage to Opposite Sex Domestic Partners.
bird

This is unfair, and you should be upset. I wonder is it a policy of the new management or of United Healthcare?

 

[tadjr]

This is unfair, and you should be upset. I wonder is it a policy of the new management or of United Healthcare?

The old US had this policy as well. I remember my friends at work (both worked for US) who were upset that they couldnt do the insurance for one with the other as domestic partner since it was cheaper than 2 employee plans. They took the buyout and left so it has been that way for the old US for a while.

 

[Justaramper]

This is different then selling a buddy pass to a specific buyer. This person is selling his/her "friendship" for one year. Being this person's "friend" carries the privilege of being on their travel benefits, which is now possible because of the ramifications of the domerstic partners obtaining travel rights of an employee. Once the travel benefits were opened up to people outside the traditional family (Wife, Children, Mother and Father (or in-laws)) this type of arrangement became legally possible.

So, you're selling the "friendship rights" to use a privilege, given to you by the employer. Now, the employer can take away that privilege, since it's not bound by any contractual language as to abuse of that privilege.

If you are making money from that privilege, it is exactly like selling a buddy pass, just in a different way. It would be impossible to win a grievance, if you profit from selling a friendship that includes any type of travel privileges.

The employee may have been creative, but didn't think about the possible problems, if such "friend" is pulled off a flight due to problems. He or she is screaming about paying $5,000 to have this privilege and shouldn't be treated this way. Then raises all sorts of hell in the boarding area about the problem.

How do you think management would react to that...?

 

[hp_fa]

The employee may have been creative, but didn't think about the possible problems, if such "friend" is pulled off a flight due to problems. He or she is screaming about paying $5,000 to have this privilege and shouldn't be treated this way. Then raises all sorts of hell in the boarding area about the problem.

How do you think management would react to that...?

That is a totally different situation and management would be all over that.

 

[AstroLounge]

That is a totally different situation and management would be all over that.

I have contacted Corporate Security several times in relation to MANY items that are readily available on EBAY. It is absolutely amazing how some people will blatantly STEAL things and then try to make some "extra cash" along the way. I have to laugh when I see postings for blankets, safety cards, silverware, glasses etc. Many times it is THESE ITEMS that are "NOT AVAILABLE" to be promisioned on the a/c, but somehow a certain person that lives in Mt. Dora, FL has a stockroom to FILL ORDERS. Amazing....check it out and see for yourself.

 

[singh4us]

I have contacted Corporate Security several times in relation to MANY items that are readily available on EBAY. It is absolutely amazing how some people will blatantly STEAL things and then try to make some "extra cash" along the way. I have to laugh when I see postings for blankets, safety cards, silverware, glasses etc. Many times it is THESE ITEMS that are "NOT AVAILABLE" to be promisioned on the a/c, but somehow a certain person that lives in Mt. Dora, FL has a stockroom to FILL ORDERS. Amazing....check it out and see for yourself.

Many of the US Airways china, glassware, etc were acquired at the US Airways Dish Dash Sale in Tempe in April which are available on eBay. Also many items were marketing items available from US sales department which were given to travel agents, meetings and planners coordinators. Not all that you see on eBay were acquired from illegal channels.

 

[hp_fa]

I have a few old AWA items that I bought from the compnay, so not everything was improperly aquired.

As for the 'friend" travel issue, I'm not aware of anything that dictates how an employee may decide who qualifies for friend status. Therefore, while I believe this was an example of tastelessness and greed, I don't see any behavior that violates any rules, and especially that would be upheld by grievence or lawsuit if the employee were terminated or had their privileges restricted.