Timeoff2fish

Can anyone please explain how to deviate with a limo?

Can you do it mid-trip, i.e., if you have a long layover somewhere, can you use your deviation bank to limo from the layover city to another town and back again?

Does anyone have a good source for finding limos/town cars similar to Expedia?

Thanks for the help.

And no, I'm not going fishing.

a300fr8dog

Contract section 8.C.3.b addresses this.

Alas, I don't think it's covered.

2cylinderdriver

Couple of issues:

1. If your limo (commercial ground transport) is under $100.00, you may use it like any other deviation expense (basically within 3 days of a schedule activity). Over $100 up to $200 can be easily approved the "pre-approval " request section in the expense report area on VIPS. Over $200 will probably need a call to your ACP for "details".

2. The long layover question; if you are asking if you can use it to "mid trip deviate", yes, from an actual scheduled mid trip D/H. If you are asking about using it on a say a 60 hour weekend layover,on a trip with no D/H's into or out of the layover then NO. I know this from experience... used my years ago on a long layover to go home and lost that battle with the expense report folks.

Read section 8, but hope this helps

Jetjok

If you have deviation monies in your bank, submit an advanced deviation request, for any ground transport of $100 or more. On that computer based form, you can explain what the GT is for. If you treat this system as only having 2 categories, ie: less than $100; and $100 or over, than you'll have fulfilled all requirements, as far as advanced notice is concerned. That way, as well, you'll get the request to the correct parties for approval. You could grease the skids by calling your ACP's administrative assistant, and explaining your request, but it's not required. On a normal front or back end deviation, I've never had a hard time getting approval for GT's, even if they were above $200. The real issue is: do you have the money in your bank. As for mid-trip deviations, where there are no scheduled mid-trip deviations listed in your pairing, it's hit or miss. But just to be sure, why not call the union office and talk to one of the contract administrators, or if you have a good relationship with your Crew Travel Auditor, call them.

CargoCan

Don't worry too much about the pre-approval. More than once I've submitted the pre-approval after the fact with no problem. You need only enter the dates it was used in the request.

I also recommend always asking for $199 even if you need less. That way you have a little wiggle room - assuming of course, like pointed out above, you have the bank available...

Timeoff2fish

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone have a good central website for finding ground transportation?

Thanks again.

Jetjok

You could always Google limo company's in the area you're interested in. Failing that, use your ALPA calendar guide, because in a lot of layover cities, we use limo services for crew transportation to and from hotels, and these same company's will usually give you a discount, when you're on personal travel.

Left Coast MD11

Newbie still on reserve and never had the chance to deviate yet...do you guys tip the limo driver, if so, how much (10-20%???) and is the tip covered on the expense/deviation reports Thanks...and when is that darn bid coming out

Jetjok

YES, we do tip the limo driver, and like any other tip, let your conscience be your guide. If it's a long trip, say costing 200, then maybe 15 or 20% is appropriate. If it's a short trip, than maybe 30%. For company sponsored pick ups, to and from the hotel or FedEx ramps, the customary tip to the van driver is $1.00 a person, except on some of the longer ground transports that we have on some international flights, then it's more. The above can and should be modified, depending on the service that you've received. If the pickup was on time, the ride smooth, he humped your bags into and out of the trunk, maybe had a cold water or soda for you, than maybe a little more, whereas if he made you lug your own bags, provided not such great service, perhaps less. However, if you plan to establish a long-term relationship with the driver, you need to take proper care of him, just like you would take care of the bartender at your neighborhood bar.

As for the company reimbursing for your tips, if you ask the driver to only use a "Total" line for both the actual limo cost plus the tip (in other words, don't itemize), I'm not sure how they would know what the tip was. On a more above-board approach, I'm always itemized ground transport gratuities on my expense reports, and if I've bank monies available, the company has always covered them. But that was before I started with the new electronic expense reporting system. Since then, I've no idea, but give it a try and let us know.

FlybyKnite

No central website, but I just google my destination airport and look for the "official" airport website. It usually has several pseudo-approved links to various ground transportation options including taxis, limos, shared ride vans, trains, etc.

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