Originally Posted by
sailingfun
Dispatchers as part of their job are required to ride a certain number of times each year. Some airlines extend additional jumpseat options to dispatchers and I am all for it. They don't compete with me because of the booking windows and priorities. Were you even around after 911? Were you around in the fifties when battles were fought over the jumpseat and Captains authority. Have you donated money or helped in the ongoing fight with congress to tax non revenue travel. A battle fought at least 3 times since I have been hired and won each time but coming back again? Who has beaten it back each time? Commuting is going to get very expensive if ALPA can't keep winning that war.
Mostly true, but even if travel benefits are taxed, companies can still very easily get around that for commuters by "basing" you at home and having you stand by for your commute just like you do now. If you don't make it, the same rules apply as do today. No additional costs to the company, no impact to revenue seats available, no change at all. There is nothing they can do to tax commuting if the company and pilot groups work together on it. Nothing. It will be an extremely easy work around.
Now for vacations and whatnot, we'd be screwed.