FDX-GT from LAX and NOCAT
 

I have a trip next week that d/h's to LAX and I need to get to the Manhattan Beach Marriott. Deviation bank is healthy so funds aren't big issue. Also, later in the week, I have "NOCAT" next to one of the legs. I understand that means no catering is available, but an FCIF search didn't enlighten me about what I'm entitled to do about it. Recommendations and guidance would be appreciated.

Personal Experience only, no documentation
 

Nocat: Claim up to $25 for a meal prior to or immediately after your NoCat leg(s). I think they want you to use the Company CC, but I have never had any problems claiming $25 out of pocket. Does not require bank money. You could have one leg nocat followed by catering on the next leg. I never tried to claim anything if that was the case.

Claim up to $25 per NOCAT event on your monthly expense report. I archived an old FCIF on it since the info is hard to find. It used to be $20 but now $25 max per event. By contract they are to provide catering but none is available so use up to $25 to get yourself a meal for that NOCAT leg.


> > This FCIF addresses what you will see reflected on trip pairings for a
> > relatively small number of cities starting in the September bid packages.
> >
> > Significant events of the last year have impacted our ability to provide
> > catering where we have contractual catering requirements. Economic
> > circumstances in the airline industry have forced some certified inflight
> > catering vendors to eliminate service, or cut back hours of operation in
> > some of our cities. This trend may continue to impact other cities as well.
> > Regulatory issues for the airline industry restrict us from contracting
> > with a vendor who is not a certified inflight kitchen. Other than BQN,
> > which has never had a certified vendor, all impacted cities currently are
> > domestic locations.
> >
> > Beginning with the September bid pack pairings, you will see the phrase
> > "NOCAT" next to any city on a pairing where catering is warranted and
> > inflight catering is not available. This pairing notification is intended
> > to offer a "heads up" notice ahead of time without having to monitor a
> > listing of possibly ever changing cities.
> >
> > If the origination city for the duty period is "NOCAT", but catering is
> > available at a downline stop in that duty period, you will be catered at
> > that downline city. The appropriate catering designation will appear beside
> > that downline city identifier, i.e., BS,BM,DS or DM.
> >
> > In these locations where a catering vendor is not available, and you are
> > entitled to catering, you are authorized to expense up to $20.00 for the
> > cost of food since catering cannot be provided. Please use the Company
> > issued Visa card, if possible, for this charge. On your expense report
> > please identify the applicable pairing number and trip date.
> >
> > We continue to monitor these cities and inflight catering will be provided
> > when it is available by a vendor.

The MB Marriott is about 3-4 miles south of LAX and about a $15-20 cab ride, since they don't have a shuttle service. Good hotel.

Is that the one that has an executive 9 hole golf course? If so, it's really nice.
fbh

With the way the company is behaving this is the time to really know the contract and fly it nothing more nothing less. A change in the last contract provides the following:

5.E.5
If the Company is required to provide catering, and the location has no FDA-approved inflight kitchen (i.e., it is a “NOCAT” city), the pilot shall, upon submission of an online expense report identifying the NOCAT city, be entitled to $25 for each occurrence, in lieu of catering. NOCAT cities shall be designated in the bid period package.

The big change is you get $25 in lieu of caering, meaning you do not need to justify it with a actual meal. You get $25 for a NOCAT city period dot. Just put a NOCAT category on your expense report for $25.

I appreciate the info..does the normal taxi guy out there take credit cards or does anyone know/use a good car service?

MB Marriott is a nice hotel and yes they have an executive 9 hole par 3 course there. Green fees are really inexpensive.

Most cabbies take credit cards these days but just ask before getting in. Should be right at $20 or a little less to get to the hotel.

PT

When you declare the $25 Out of Pocket expense for a No Cat meal, it asks you for the Merchant's Name. What do you put down if there was no actual meal?

Ya Think?? :o