Originally Posted by
Amish Pilot
Mr Bucking Bar,
Lighten up a bit, Soldiers have a long history of complaining when they feel they have been wronged. I doubt the everyday Soldier knows the details of the government contract with Delta Air Lines. These guys were just blowing off steam, considering they are returning from Afghanistan, I think we should give them the benefit of doubt. Maybe Delta could direct bill the government???
Disclosure: AP spent 20 years in the Army, both enlisted and as a officer.
I can see BB's point. Complaining is one thing, and I've been a champion at it... but I'm not sure I'd want to be seen complaining about a nationally known business on a public forum. I bet this has received the play it has because it's so popular to bash airlines these days.
The government SHOULD handle this stuff via direct bill... but instead they force guys to give Uncle Sam an interest free loan, to be repaid when (and if) their unit sees fit. This isn't bad on Delta, it's bad on the gov.
Every time you travel or execute a set of TAD orders, you pay out of pocket (or put it on the gov. travel card, which counts against your personal credit) and hope you get reimbursed. That policy should be an embarrassment to our government. It's funny, when I'm on a trip with Delta and check in to a hotel, and all I have to do is sign my name (and not pay out of pocket) it fees like a treat!
Shouldn't the real question here be: Why do these guys have ANYTHING to do with the financial transactions necessary to get home from a combat zone?
I can't complain too bad, but I have a number of Marine buddies who on multiple occasions were forced to fund sets of TAD orders for two and three week training evolutions... so they paid BOQ or hotel, food, etc. and were never reimbursed for lodging or per diem. Absolutely criminal.
My old man got activated for OIF in 2003. He was an Army Reserve JAG guy. He said he spent a good percentage of his time contacting service member's creditors asking them for patience, as many of the troops who had purchased plane tickets, etc. to execute orders were not getting reimbursed and could not pay their bills. UFB.