Members Must Disclose Delta Perks

[john john]

http://campaignmoney.org/press-room/2011/11/15/watchdog-members-must-disclose-delta-perks
Washington, D.C.—Public Campaign Action Fund sent letters to 20 members of Congress today requesting full disclosure of any benefits they’ve received from Delta Air Lines as Congress considers the long-term Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation. Delta Air Lines has continued to lobby Republican leadership to include an unrelated controversial union-busting provision in the legislation to benefit the company.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported over the summer that many Georgia state lawmakers were given “elite” flying status, and later “state lawmakers extended a fuel tax break for Delta that will save the company $30 million over two years,” according to the story. It’s been estimated that “elite status” can be worth up to $15,000 in perks and savings, according to an expert estimate. And last month Delta confirmed in a Roll Call reported article how members of Congress and their staff are able to bypass normal booking procedures by using a “VIP hotline” when scheduling travel.

 

[metopower]

http://campaignmoney.org/press-room/2011/11/15/watchdog-members-must-disclose-delta-perks
Washington, D.C.—Public Campaign Action Fund sent letters to 20 members of Congress today requesting full disclosure of any benefits they’ve received from Delta Air Lines as Congress considers the long-term Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization legislation. Delta Air Lines has continued to lobby Republican leadership to include an unrelated controversial union-busting provision in the legislation to benefit the company.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported over the summer that many Georgia state lawmakers were given “elite” flying status, and later “state lawmakers extended a fuel tax break for Delta that will save the company $30 million over two years,” according to the story. It’s been estimated that “elite status” can be worth up to $15,000 in perks and savings, according to an expert estimate. And last month Delta confirmed in a Roll Call reported article how members of Congress and their staff are able to bypass normal booking procedures by using a “VIP hotline” when scheduling travel.

I sure hope the other airlines haven't figured this out! Now that the cat is out of the bag who knows what WN will do?

 

[john john]

Where are the usual suspects hiding , concerning this topic ?

http://www.rollcall.com/news/group_asks_congress_to_disclose_airline_perks-210386-1.html
So far this year, Delta’s political action committee has contributed more than $133,000 to lawmakers, including $5,000 to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R), who lives in Virginia, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
“Delta follows guidelines established by Congress regarding travel and complies with Congressional ethics rules,” he told Roll Call. “Federal officials must earn any elite status with the airline.”
Delta has a Congressional call desk and allows Members to double-book flights. It is one of several service-oriented companies that operate in the Washington area that provide preferential treatment to Members of Congress and administration officials.
Earlier this week, Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) blamed the airline industry for a four-year delay in passing a funding bill for the FAA, citing the fight over the labor provision.
“I do not understand how the fixation of one airline can be seen as paramount in such that the House would shut down the FAA to get its way,” he said Monday in a speech.

 

[john john]

Listening to the crickets chirp !