Supply Stupidities
Back when ATC was provided by the CAA, allowances for detached duty were based on Civil Service rates and for days spent on duty away from one's normal place of employment, a fixed 'subsistence' rate was paid per day/night away.
I remember that in 1979, the subsistence rate was £15 per day, but many people, if not all, used to stay in 'Mrs Miggin's boarding house at £5 per night (including breakfast and evening meal) and pocket the rest.
When NATS took over, the monetary amount (it had of course risen over the years, in line with inflation) remained the same, but it was then subject to receipts. Of course, there was no money saved, as staff stayed in proper hotels and ate in more expensive restaurants, ensuring they spent up to the limit. However, there must have been a substantial increase in administration costs, with staff employed to check receipts against expenses.
I remember that in 1979, the subsistence rate was £15 per day, but many people, if not all, used to stay in 'Mrs Miggin's boarding house at £5 per night (including breakfast and evening meal) and pocket the rest.
When NATS took over, the monetary amount (it had of course risen over the years, in line with inflation) remained the same, but it was then subject to receipts. Of course, there was no money saved, as staff stayed in proper hotels and ate in more expensive restaurants, ensuring they spent up to the limit. However, there must have been a substantial increase in administration costs, with staff employed to check receipts against expenses.
RAF Wattisham, 1989 or thereabouts, the Phantom force still going strong and the Wall still standing. One of the early colour photocopiers (a Canon if memory serves) was provided to the Sqn, having been rented by the Stn. It was excellent by the standards of the day, and it meant the lead nav could draw a few lines on a low flying chart and provide 7 copies for the rest of the 4-ship. Eventually there was a phone call from Supply Sqn, from an SAC who had been given the job of telling us to stop it, as our use of colour prints had exceeded all expectations. The problem was that each copy cost 35p, and we were way over the top of the budget, and there was a question about what we were doing that required so many.
It was explained that we were copying maps to use in the air. "But sir, we can provide maps instead..." was the reply. It was pointed out to him that the LFCs in question were £7 a pop and that one map would pay for 20 photocopies (even I could do the maths). I fired him back at his SNCO with an invitation to provide the rationale for spending an extra £40 every time we put a 4-ship into low level, never mind the time wasted in drawing on individual charts. Nothing further heard.
And before the banter starts, yes, we were Air Defence so looking at the maps was not really required.
It was explained that we were copying maps to use in the air. "But sir, we can provide maps instead..." was the reply. It was pointed out to him that the LFCs in question were £7 a pop and that one map would pay for 20 photocopies (even I could do the maths). I fired him back at his SNCO with an invitation to provide the rationale for spending an extra £40 every time we put a 4-ship into low level, never mind the time wasted in drawing on individual charts. Nothing further heard.
And before the banter starts, yes, we were Air Defence so looking at the maps was not really required.
The navs would create one map of the planned mission which would be turned into 8 booklets.... The Army WO! supplier got very fed up of me putting in demands for A4 paper, and when I tried to explain to him that it was mission critical he had a right pop that I (at the time a mere SAC) couldn't dictate to him what was or wasn't mission critical.
I made my way back to the Sqn and explained the dilemma to the OpsO and was overheard by the Sqn boss who suggested I should go back and try again... however this time he followed and stood just outside the WO1s office listening in... Midway through the bollocking from the WO for my audacity at trying to make him change his mind the Wg Cdr walks in and said... "What the SAC is trying to say Mr xxx.. is that you are a ****wit!" followed by him adding that the next time he sends me for paper to meet the mission requirements that if I returned empty handed he would want an explanation in person.
Never had a problem after that.....
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We had exactly the same issue at the Secret Wiltshire Airbase in the early 90s. On the acquisition of a colour photocopier the nav would plan the route and we pilots would make a copy each rather than use 3 LFCs. Then we were told not to make copies as they came out of the station’s budget whereas LFCs came ‘free’ from AIDU’s, despite each one costing around 10 times more…
Indeed, whoever said that people were the RAF's most valuable asset never had the key to the cupboard where the copier paper was kept.
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Back when ATC was provided by the CAA, allowances for detached duty were based on Civil Service rates and for days spent on duty away from one's normal place of employment, a fixed 'subsistence' rate was paid per day/night away.
I remember that in 1979, the subsistence rate was £15 per day, but many people, if not all, used to stay in 'Mrs Miggin's boarding house at £5 per night (including breakfast and evening meal) and pocket the rest.
When NATS took over, the monetary amount (it had of course risen over the years, in line with inflation) remained the same, but it was then subject to receipts. Of course, there was no money saved, as staff stayed in proper hotels and ate in more expensive restaurants, ensuring they spent up to the limit. However, there must have been a substantial increase in administration costs, with staff employed to check receipts against expenses.
I remember that in 1979, the subsistence rate was £15 per day, but many people, if not all, used to stay in 'Mrs Miggin's boarding house at £5 per night (including breakfast and evening meal) and pocket the rest.
When NATS took over, the monetary amount (it had of course risen over the years, in line with inflation) remained the same, but it was then subject to receipts. Of course, there was no money saved, as staff stayed in proper hotels and ate in more expensive restaurants, ensuring they spent up to the limit. However, there must have been a substantial increase in administration costs, with staff employed to check receipts against expenses.
There were also a few people who would find ways to latch onto trips where they weren't needed, just to make a few quid on the subsistence. Switching to actuals removed this incentive, and in some circumstances may actually have saved money.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
But there was then a tendency to use hotels which were willing to be flexible and include liquid refreshment in the bar to be included under “evening meal”.
Then there were those fraudulent idiots who thought that by securing a discount with a local photocopier sales place and presenting an invoice for the non-discounted figure, pocketing the difference, would be a great idea...
Until, that is, the next sale of the same model of photocopier was to a visiting Commands Account chap. "Would you like an invoice for the full amount, like the last RAF person, or the discounted figure" he was asked....
"Tell me more...."
Until, that is, the next sale of the same model of photocopier was to a visiting Commands Account chap. "Would you like an invoice for the full amount, like the last RAF person, or the discounted figure" he was asked....
"Tell me more...."
When the claim was audited I was told - you can only claim for the burger part of the meal. Fortunately I had taken a photo of the menu that proved the burger alone was more expensive (cleverly I didn't photograph the drinks prices as they weren't in my entitlement)
When I asked for the full price of the burger the claim was grudgingly approved as there was no method to claim for a £10 item with an £8 receipt.
Not so much in the military world, but I’ve had problems with civil business expenses because some of the accountants seem to think that when travelling overseas, you are going on holiday. You must be having a good time by going out for a meal and are therefore taking the mick.
Long-range SAR rescue to a tanker at 17 deg W (250nm W of the Irish West coast.
Finished back at Shannon at 02:00 and were escorted to the hotel (no-one was fit to fly another 2:30 home and we were stood down by ARCCK.)
The hotel bar was still open and was happy to provide bar meals and 'beverages' which they very kindly receipted in the same way - you can't beat a few pints of the black Irish 'beverage' after a long day's work.
Finished back at Shannon at 02:00 and were escorted to the hotel (no-one was fit to fly another 2:30 home and we were stood down by ARCCK.)
The hotel bar was still open and was happy to provide bar meals and 'beverages' which they very kindly receipted in the same way - you can't beat a few pints of the black Irish 'beverage' after a long day's work.
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As we have drifted on to rates…..
Gander, the second home of the C130 in the 90’s enroute to other exciting destinations.
Was rates of 100 Canadian or so; a good night was had for 60 ish. Not to be! Actuals required….. So, a couple of (rather wet) appetisers followed by the “Chateaubriand for two, for one” style of main course with some tasty wet side dishes, the game was to see how much the meal and soft drinks would reach.
Following a visit from a particularly enthusiastic VC10 crew, a couple of RAF plods were sent to spy on the crews. All that changed was the requirement to say “Evening Corporal” as one sauntered past. Strangely, we soon went back to rates….
Me
Gander, the second home of the C130 in the 90’s enroute to other exciting destinations.
Was rates of 100 Canadian or so; a good night was had for 60 ish. Not to be! Actuals required….. So, a couple of (rather wet) appetisers followed by the “Chateaubriand for two, for one” style of main course with some tasty wet side dishes, the game was to see how much the meal and soft drinks would reach.
Following a visit from a particularly enthusiastic VC10 crew, a couple of RAF plods were sent to spy on the crews. All that changed was the requirement to say “Evening Corporal” as one sauntered past. Strangely, we soon went back to rates….
Me
Was rates of 100 Canadian or so; a good night was had for 60 ish. Not to be! Actuals required….. So, a couple of (rather wet) appetisers followed by the “Chateaubriand for two, for one” style of main course with some tasty wet side dishes, the game was to see how much the meal and soft drinks would reach.
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When I was flying for my last company we were deployed away from our home base for 3 to 4 months every summer. When I started per diems were handled like the Military with a rate for every meal and a requirement to fill in a sheet documenting each meal you actually had to pay for as sometimes the vendor provided meals. Every 2 weeks the sheet went in and the accounting department sorted out the amount to be reimbursed for each of the 70 odd pilots.
The company hired 2 temporary clerks every summer just to handle the per diem paperwork. One of the managers crunched the numbers and showed it was cheaper to just automatically pay everyone full rate, than hire people to handle each pilots expense report.
The company owner agreed and that’s what happened. The company saved money and the pilots had less paperwork and made a little extra on the day the vendor supplied meals, win - win 🥇
The company hired 2 temporary clerks every summer just to handle the per diem paperwork. One of the managers crunched the numbers and showed it was cheaper to just automatically pay everyone full rate, than hire people to handle each pilots expense report.
The company owner agreed and that’s what happened. The company saved money and the pilots had less paperwork and made a little extra on the day the vendor supplied meals, win - win 🥇
A colleague and I got the civilian equivalent of an interview without coffee, having failed to take into account a dramatic decline in the value of the GBP v the CHF, we had a decent but not extravagant meal at a restaurant that colleagues had been using for years; the bill came to an amount that previously would have raised no comment but now significantly exceeded the GBP denominated allowance.
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Swinderby, camping on the other side of the airfield and not Sherwood Forest due to AOC's. We had to make Salmon sandwiches for the 120 odd people and I was sick of the sight of the stuff, at the end of the exercise we still had a box of 24 large catering cans of Sockeye Salmon. Asking what do we do with it, we were told to bury it as the stores would not accept it back.... I often wondered if it is still there, what a waste..
Not so much in the military world, but I’ve had problems with civil business expenses because some of the accountants seem to think that when travelling overseas, you are going on holiday. You must be having a good time by going out for a meal and are therefore taking the mick.
On the other hand I went out to a meeting with the European Manger of a largish company - on the way back to his office he insisted we drop into a small eatery about 50m from the front door so he could eat and claim for feeding me as well................ normally everyone in a company knows who is fiddling their expenses
Talking of perks, pilots in Oz were badgering the company to send them to sim training, for safety reasons you understand, company blanched at the cost because policy demanded international travel be first class. Pilots said we'll go economy to cut costs, first class it had to be because management didn't want to set a precedent that might see them lose perks. Captains only every two years, FO's not at all.
Wessex all grounded for lack of a particular spare, stores refused to issue said spares because what was on the shelves was minimum stock. All pilots ran out of currency.
One of the pilots was leading a Fairy Firefly restoration to flight standard, the question was asked of him where are you getting all the spares, from stores was the answer, this being some six years after the type was removed from service.
Wessex all grounded for lack of a particular spare, stores refused to issue said spares because what was on the shelves was minimum stock. All pilots ran out of currency.
One of the pilots was leading a Fairy Firefly restoration to flight standard, the question was asked of him where are you getting all the spares, from stores was the answer, this being some six years after the type was removed from service.
My company had a few travel policies develop. One was that alcohol could only be reimbursed with a meal. I was tempted to challenge that by purchasing a bottle of liquor and a bag of peanuts. Not sure why any company would reimburse alcohol regardless. The other was a sudden limit on dry cleaning. Apparently some smart one went on a 3 day trip and had 5 suits dry cleaned.
The field service guys complained quite bitterly about a proposal to change from per diem to expense and receipt reporting. Apparently someone in upper management thought that they were somehow taking advantage. Sure. They would apparently camp out in their cars and buy inexpensive food and pocket the rest and it was the latter part that made management angry. Pretty sure the field service workers were quite capable of finding expenses that far exceeded the per diem; AFAIK management caved and reason prevailed. I think part of the camping was for work out at Yuma Proving grounds.
I recall another case where management complained that the hotel bills were higher than they felt should be the case. Someone pointed out that there was one hotel near the facility and the next nearest hotel was some 30 or 60 miles away. I would not like to add a 1 to 2 hours of driving each day to save $10 a day on a hotel.
It is a continuous surprise that, for the most part, when people are trusted with millions or hundreds of millions in equipment and management is looking to nickle and dime them when almost always the employees are making rational choices - getting enough rest, going for the least expensive options (OK, some do treat themselves in a balance to sleeping on a bad mattress in a noisy hotel; steak? Steak is good.) and are dedicated to doing a good job for a client distant from the home office.
The field service guys complained quite bitterly about a proposal to change from per diem to expense and receipt reporting. Apparently someone in upper management thought that they were somehow taking advantage. Sure. They would apparently camp out in their cars and buy inexpensive food and pocket the rest and it was the latter part that made management angry. Pretty sure the field service workers were quite capable of finding expenses that far exceeded the per diem; AFAIK management caved and reason prevailed. I think part of the camping was for work out at Yuma Proving grounds.
I recall another case where management complained that the hotel bills were higher than they felt should be the case. Someone pointed out that there was one hotel near the facility and the next nearest hotel was some 30 or 60 miles away. I would not like to add a 1 to 2 hours of driving each day to save $10 a day on a hotel.
It is a continuous surprise that, for the most part, when people are trusted with millions or hundreds of millions in equipment and management is looking to nickle and dime them when almost always the employees are making rational choices - getting enough rest, going for the least expensive options (OK, some do treat themselves in a balance to sleeping on a bad mattress in a noisy hotel; steak? Steak is good.) and are dedicated to doing a good job for a client distant from the home office.
