Flight benefits suspended during Military reserve duties

[Big Air]

My airline suspended travel benefits for my family and me while I am performing Military reserve duties.

Is this the standard?

What do they do at your airline?

Is this an issue for the "Employer Guard Support" people?

 

[WSurf]

I don't think they can do that! What piece of crap company do you work for that would do that? I think you should contact the Labor Board and find out more info. Good Luck!

 

[filejw]

In most companys it dependeds on how long you are away.They don't have to give you anything except your job when you get back.

 

[CMRaviator]

Comair allows everyone on mil leave to retain their travel benefits. I believe this is the case for Delta as well. If I understand correct, this is only a courtesy.

 

[Slim]

I never had an extended government leave while at CMR. The longest was three weeks.

While at AMR, I was allowed to use pass benefits, but only on AA/AE. Travel on OALs was not permitted.

If you know of fellow employees who are using their travel benefits while on military leave, then it could easily become an ESGR issue. The pass policy, while on government/military leave, is up to the individual carrier, so far as I know.

Good luck...fly safe!

 

[English]

I just read a memo at Aloha recently that stated deployed troops continue to have travel benefits.

 

[WSurf]

What does travel bennies cost the company??? Jeeez its space 'a' anyway!! For you company to cancel travel for your family is pretty lame.

What company is it????

 

[tittyjet]

What do travel bennies cost the company???

Travel benefits and jumpseaters cost companies millions every year; for every extra pound an aircraft carries, it burns more fuel. All of those pounds add up to lots and lots of money, not to mention the cost of paper stock for tickets, ink for printers, blue juice for toilets, sodas, chips, meals, et cetera, et cetera.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

...as opposed to the cost to the company of having disgruntled employees. I say flip for the free travel and reap the rewards of happy employees.

 

[Lolikoka]

Passes While on Mil Leave

I've been mobilized for nearly two years, and ASA (Delta actually) has allowed my family and I to keep and use our pass benefits. It's the right thing to do, it keeps the employees happy, and it's a small price to pay for doing business in America. However, there is no legal obligation for them to do it, USERRA only protects your job/seniority when you come back.
Semper Fi

 

[80drvr]

My airline suspended travel benefits for my family and me while I am performing Military reserve duties.

Is this the standard?

What do they do at your airline?

Is this an issue for the "Employer Guard Support" people?

My understanding is that if anyone else on a leave of any sort from the company retains a benefit, then if must be provided to those on military leave.

From ESGR:

Is my employer required to provide me other benefits of employment while I am away from work performing service?

If and to the extent that your employer provides benefits to employees who have been furloughed (laid off) or to employees on some kind of non-military leave (jury leave, educational leave, etc.), your employer must provide similar benefits to employees who are away from work performing service in the uniformed services. 38 U.S.C. 4316(b). Law Reviews 41, 58.

An employee who is away from work performing service in the uniformed services is entitled to elect continued health plan coverage through the civilian job. If the period of service is less than 31 days, the employer is permitted to charge the employee only the employee share (if any) of the cost of the coverage. If the period of service is 31 days or more, the employer is permitted (but not required) to charge the employee up to 102% of the entire premium, including the part that the employer normally pays in the case of active employees. 38 U.S.C. 4317(a). Law Review 10.

​

 

[Big Air]

The info from 80drvr is all correct. I spoke to the ESGR folks and they are great. They hooked my up with an ombusdsman (who happens to be a lawyer).

However, my airline, Mesa (no surprises here) says that travel benefits are suspended (for all family members) for all types of "leave of absence", including Mil Leave.

USERRA (38 U.S.C.) goes a long way to protect us, but regarding travel, they only have to extend the benefit only if they extend the benefit to other types of "leaves of absence". In Mesa's case, they do not extend travel benefits to any type of absence (jury duty, medical, ect).

so for now, SOL.