Does anyone have experience with using dev. bank to buy ticket into domicile for a scheduled DH?

Sec 8.C.3.a.1.(a) provides for this but part I'm concerned with is Limitations on Deviation Expenses section...

Sec 8.C.4.d Travel claimed as a deviation expense must begin or end within 3 days of the scheduled assignment to/from which the pilot is deviating (e.g. scheduled deadhead, trip or R- day) and must proceed to the intended destination of the deviation with no greater than a 24 hour delay enroute, domestically, and a 48 hour delay enroute internationally.

I'm not deviating on the front end but would like to come a few days early. So I'm concerned that it might not be allowed due to 1) not deviating, and 2) arriving early or delaying longer than 24 hours.

Seems like it could be viewed a number of ways. Anyone have any experience with this?

Go to the expense report help section under "deviation Section". Example 1 covers your question. The answer is yes you can use bank money to travel to Mem for any trip, training, or reserve duty; the 3 day rule would apply.

https://pilot.fedex.com/fox/pilot/pilotsHome.jsf# You have to go to the travel reports tab and click help in the upper left corner, then select deviation section.

Of course past experience shows the company can change their interpretation at will and the CE guys will roll over.

Short answer - Yes, within 3 calendar days of your trip. Check CBA chapter 8.

Don't forget to check the "Yes" box on your expense report for this being a taxable expense.

Which means it's really not free to you ---- you will ultimately be paying your "marginal tax rate" on the value of this ticket.

Federal + State + Local IncomeTaxes

Probably 25% or more depending on your income/ state residence.

Right. But it's a small price to pay in order to try to not get fired.

Agree --- though original post had the guy coming in 3 days prior to a trip.

Didn't look like he was pushing the envelope and perhaps he could take a FDX or off-line jumpseat for "free"....truly "free".

Of course, he may be commuting in from a location where that's not easy.

It's great that we have so many options on how to get to work.

You're absolutely right.

But you don't get frequent flyer miles with us though.

Why, oh why, do we constantly entrust the answers that appear on this message board? If you rally want to know the answer, just contact your ACP.........

Oooops.......we don't have any, anymore........sorry........press on..........