FLYMIA

Was wondering if anyone could answer or guide me in the right direction. I searched online but didn't quite get the answer. When it comes to company expenses such as rental cars etc, this is typically covered by a corporate card. However, if the company asks you to cover the costs of say a rental car and hotel rooms for four crew members to be reimbursed later, do you have to accept those charges? Is it within your right to say no?

JohnBurke

Your right? What kind of right? Constitutional right? To which rights do you refer?

Are you legally obligated to personally cover expenses to be reimbursed later? Of course not.

Is the company legally required to employ you? Of course not.

If the company sets this as a condition of employment, are you required to accept it? No. You're not required to take the job, either. Or to keep the job if it becomes a condition of employment during the term of your stay.

A company may encounter an unusual circumstance in which an employee might be asked to cover the moment, for reimbursement, and there are companies which expect employees to do this, and they reimburse. I've worked both ways: strictly company card, or from my pocket, with reimbursement. I've gone many years of receiving per diem to cover my expenses, often making money in the process by not spending all of it. This is common.

For on-the-road corporate expenses, I'd rather see an operator provide a card for cars, hotels, etc.

I flew for an operator who initially did everything from a company card, but cracks began appearing in the veneer and soon cards would occasionally be declined, and we'd be asked to cover it and get reimbursed. Soon I saw captains paying for fuel loads, and I drew the line. No way. If the company can't cover the cost of doing business and expects the employee to bankroll the operation and get reimbursed later, in my opinion, it's a problem. If it's a pop-up situation here and there with minor expenses, that's one thing. But not the whole show, and i've seen that happen. I left.

An employer can ask you to do something; you can refuse. How that affects your employment status depends on the employer, the employee, the nature of the employee-employer relationship, any contracts or agreements in effect, etc. There may be room to negotiate, room to refuse, or it may be time to find another job.

You may find that once the door is open, however, it's considerably harder to close: if you've agreed to pay and get reimbursed, it's easy to become the norm.

FLYMIA

Very insightful, thank you. The norm was company plastic, now cards are getting declined left and right. typically once every rotation out. I picked up the tab and got reimbursed but I have no interest in floating the company. I am now in the position of looking for something new, but don't want to add another line on the resume. Trying hard for the majors but am worried adding another job will make that goal even harder. Again, thanks for the advice.

galaxy flyer

It’s fairly common in corporate flying to pay your T&L expenses, file for reimbursement. Typically, the expense check is in your bank long before the credit card bill is due. If you manage it and follow any company policies, you’re not floating the company anything. If the company gives you a card and it’s refused, there’s a problem.

GF

filejw

What I find strange here is covering expenses for the whole crew, to me that's the same as buying fuel and a big red flag.