No harm in at least raising this issue. This is probably against labor laws. Even though its common practice not only in government but in corporate sector, times have changed and it should be evaluated for today's environment.

Its simple. If nobody complains, they'll keep doing it. If you ask, you shall receive or at least find out alternatives. Ask if they can either upgrade or give layover and hotel because its longer than 14 hours and you do have to work there and come back and work next day. Even if nothing happens, everyone raising this question will eventually highlight and solve this issue.

Anonymous wrote:There is no reason to travel with zoom

We needed you over on the fed RTO thread

There is no reason to travel with zoom

Flew to Korea in coach last week. It isn't that bad

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOJ and have been asked to fly across the globe (think Australia) for a big meeting. My travel department isn't the greatest so I want to get information before I go to them. Can I justify traveling business class working for the government? The thought of sitting on the plane for that long is killing me.

I work for one of the financial regulators and flew all the way to Singapore on economy. My boss also flew on economy.

My Dh has to go all over- Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Australia, etc and he's always coach.

Anonymous wrote:Back in the day, yes. Now, no. AFAIK the only way to get an upgrade on gov travel is to have a doctors note.

What’s worse is you can’t pay to upgrade yourself. Government fare tickets are non-upgradeable on almost all airlines. They are a special ticket code with carve out rules.

This isn't true. You have to pay as if you're upgrading from basic economy but you can still do it. I just upgraded to premium economy with personal miles last week.

If your agency books through E2 it also gives you the option to book premium economy directly with a disclaimer that you will not be reimbursed for the difference.

If you are actually going to India (instead of Australia), just fyi the best government flight is the BA flight through London (code-sharing w American). Do not take that DCA to LGA to Delhi flight, it’s awful.

With fly America rule, you may need to use a U.S. carrier, even if it adds a stop or additional time.

Anonymous wrote:My spouse traveled for UST and it was always economy, even to Korea, Indonesia, India etc. So the 14 hr rule was not respected. No rest days either. And terrible routes too because of the carrier requirements.

Pretty miserable.

I’ve had lots of international trips that require two legs and are well over 14 hours and it’s always economy. The 14 hour rule is that, generally, under 14 hours MUST be economy and over 14 hours COULD be business if your agency and supervisor feel like being generous. Which my agency and supervisor are not.

I worked for the Fed between 2005 and 2010 and had to do so much traveling in coach and I absolutely hated it. I am now working for a non-profit and I always travel in business class and first class domestic and international, respectively. I would never go back to work for the government.

If you don't personally care whether you go or not, I would tell them you will only go if it is business class. There is almost certainly a way around any rule that would restrict you to coach.

you should lobby for participation via Zoom.

Anonymous wrote:Lol. No. You don’t get to fly business and you definitely don’t get to book the shortest travel day.

This . And you must sit in the middle seat with no recline in the back.