Pan Am : I joined in 1993 . It was like that then. Staff Travel embroiled in the wasta system that has dragged down other Departments too. BAS will always be in charge of Ground Handling, Never GF mainline.Can't cut the gravy line or drip feed when it is tightly controlled. Regular readers might recall my missive of my last Gf flight using my cherished Long Service award of an annual "Firm" ticket. Off loaded in BAH by BAS. Captain took pity and gave me & wifey last minute jump seats. Soldiering down to the rear galley, all dressed up expecting "automatic upgrades" and now overdressed for jump-seats, we passed many in Business who looked out of place in jeans & trainers. Maybe they were full farers, eh ? I wrote to Staff Travel in order to demonstrate that my leaving gift from GF was not really a "firm" ticket but, as usual, at the behest of corrupt ground staff. No reply. It'll never change.