Originally Posted by
JoeyMeatballs
I have been an ALPA REP for 5.5 years and you can bet your ass when I am at a meeting I will go out to dinner and EXPENSE IT! I will also expense my cell phone and any and all costs associated with being a REP. I do this #1, it's allowed via the policy manual, and #2 being a REP takes a toll on your personal life (it's a choice I know), I cant tell you how many times I have had conference calls interrupt family dinners, or random calls at 1am when the wife is up for the 3rd time trying to put the newborn down to sleep. You can bet if I have to take a cab ride from the airport to a hotel, I will expense it, if I am away from home and have to pay for food and it isn't being provided I will expense it etc.... I wouldn't expense alcohol, nor would I abuse the policy however you guys are out of line calling any and ALL ALPA REPS "thieves". Of course there are those individuals who probably abuse the policy (buy a PB&J sandwich and expense the full allowed amount) I have been to THREE BODs and the progressively are getting worse, so your wish has come true....... (food is still fantastic), however the days of over the top Hospitality suites and the theme nights etc are all gone. If you don't like ALPA policy step up, participate and change it, don't throw stones at those of use who actually care and volunteer
The problem is not knowing when too much is too much. This is other people's money your feeling so inclined to spend. You sound too much like our leaders in Washington putting in a retirement for life at the stroke of midnight. Get out if you feel it is such a burden on your life. You get to a point of justifying everything as an expense and abuses are inevitable, but not truly justifiable. Sound like the frog in the pot that is brought to a boil and never know he is being killed. It seems like too much of the consciense rubbing going on here to make it seem okay, but it isn't, not from my point of view.