Flat rate expenses for commercial pilots (UK)
Given that the current FRE for commercial pilots was negotiated way back in 2013, is it not time this was revised to take into account inflation?
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Originally Posted by Satoshi Nakamoto
(Post 10415375)
Given that the current FRE for commercial pilots was negotiated way back in 2013, is it not time this was revised to take into account inflation?
I don’t know who you work for Satoshi but I work for the largest airline at LHR. HMRC are regularly asking for a 1% sample of pilots to send in receipts for the previous month to see if the FREA is in the right ballpark. Of course, many colleagues have misplaced receipts are don’t bother sending them in. HMRC seem to know this so I think it’s highly likely it’ll be amended soon (and not in a good way). champ |
‘Twas negotiated by BALPA. Step 1: Join BALPA. Step 2: Ask your friendly local rep to take this up on your behalf. |
Originally Posted by rod_1986
(Post 10415389)
‘Twas negotiated by BALPA. Step 1: Join BALPA. Step 2: Ask your friendly local rep to take this up on your behalf. Step 2 Will do Thanks for your reply Champair, I think you are mistaking FRE for flight duty allowance, they are not the same. |
Rod is spot on. It was negotiated by BALPA. And it was updated by further BALPA efforts a couple of years ago, just prior to the last General Secretary leaving office. BALPA Rep fixed me up with a template letter from their Head Office to claim mine. I had a few years back to claim as well. To reiterate what Rob said - Join BALPA and then ask your rep for help. |
Virgin crew are given a cash card , to allow purchase or cash withdrawal globally .inc a uk ATM. Its like free cash , and most crews certainly enjoy taking a little extra tax free cash home in their pockets . |
Originally Posted by highfive
(Post 10415768)
Virgin crew are given a cash card , to allow purchase or cash withdrawal globally .inc a uk ATM. Its like free cash , and most crews certainly enjoy taking a little extra tax free cash home in their pockets . not for much longer apparently! |
Originally Posted by champair79
(Post 10415386)
We’d be so lucky. By all accounts HMRC are trying to get it removed or vastly reduced as they don’t believe the average pilot claiming it uses the whole amount for sustinence downroute. In other words, they think we’re getting a generous tax free element on top of the personal allowance. I don’t know who you work for Satoshi but I work for the largest airline at LHR. HMRC are regularly asking for a 1% sample of pilots to send in receipts for the previous month to see if the FREA is in the right ballpark. Of course, many colleagues have misplaced receipts are don’t bother sending them in. HMRC seem to know this so I think it’s highly likely it’ll be amended soon (and not in a good way). champ |
I know this is about FREA. The thing is, down route subsistence allowances, which people are discussing, are currently taxed as they are due to the need to “subsist” down route. Funny old thing. If they become fully taxable, I suggest everyone effected saves their receipts and claims the lot back from the tax man each year. The workload on HMRC will be increased so much, they would perhaps have to consider allowing a tax-free amount...... |
Admittedly I was taking a stab at what it covers, or what I thought it covers. This is official from 2017... https://blog.balpa.org/Blog/January-...not-know-about It is most definitely different to any downroute tax free allowance that forms part of our/your pay. |
Does anyone know if we can claim part of mobile phone - we all need a telephone for answering calls for standby etc.
Thanks. |
Originally Posted by Jinkster
(Post 11321208)
Does anyone know if we can claim part of mobile phone - we all need a telephone for answering calls for standby etc.
Thanks. Make calls? May phone crewing every six months so valid, except every phone contract has unlimited calls so you’ll struggle for that one as well. |
Originally Posted by VariablePitchP
(Post 11321246)
That’s bordering on the ridiculous. It costs nothing to receive calls…
Make calls? May phone crewing every six months so valid, except every phone contract has unlimited calls so you’ll struggle for that one as well. We really are our own worst enemies. Every self employed person I know will put their phone through their company. Every job I've had outside of aviation has provided me with a mobile phone if it was required for the job. |
Originally Posted by VariablePitchP
(Post 11321246)
That’s bordering on the ridiculous. It costs nothing to receive calls…
Originally Posted by Jinkster
(Post 11321208)
Does anyone know if we can claim part of mobile phone - we all need a telephone for answering calls for standby etc.
Thanks. Check https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-man...anual/eim32945 |
Originally Posted by clvf88
(Post 11321611)
Where do I get this free phone to answer calls on?
We really are our own worst enemies. Every self employed person I know will put their phone through their company. Every job I've had outside of aviation has provided me with a mobile phone if it was required for the job. Company require you to be neatly shaven, going to claim for razors and a sink? Probably need to claim for a fully fitted bathroom if you’re expected to shower. And a car to get to work? Probably need a house to live in, throw that on there as well. And you’re weekly shop from Asda as they’ll no doubt have the audacity to expect you to go to work not malnourished. |
Originally Posted by VariablePitchP
(Post 11321831)
You don’t own a phone? Don’t be ridiculous. If you really, really can’t stand the idea that ops might give you a ring on your phone you can get a £5 burner and a free SIM card. That’s assuming you buy a phone, get a free one if Gumtree if you’re that tight. Don’t need an iPhone to take a call.
Company require you to be neatly shaven, going to claim for razors and a sink? Probably need to claim for a fully fitted bathroom if you’re expected to shower. And a car to get to work? Probably need a house to live in, throw that on there as well. And you’re weekly shop from Asda as they’ll no doubt have the audacity to expect you to go to work not malnourished. |
Originally Posted by ShyTorque
(Post 11322141)
Ever thought of going for a management position? :suspect:
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It does seem to be the only mugs not to have a company paid for mobile phone are the pilots nowadays ….I’m sure I’m not the only person that refuses to use their free minutes on company business and uses the sat phone on the aeroplane to call Ops. (And I was still put on hold for 20 minutes)
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Originally Posted by hunterboy
(Post 11322241)
It does seem to be the only mugs not to have a company paid for mobile phone are the pilots nowadays ….I’m sure I’m not the only person that refuses to use their free minutes on company business and uses the sat phone on the aeroplane to call Ops. (And I was still put on hold for 20 minutes)
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Originally Posted by hunterboy
(Post 11322241)
I’m sure I’m not the only person that refuses to use their free minutes on company business and uses the sat phone on the aeroplane to call Ops. (And I was still put on hold for 20 minutes)
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Originally Posted by VariablePitchP
(Post 11321831)
. And you’re weekly shop from Asda as they’ll no doubt have the audacity to expect you to go to work not malnourished.
But seriously, I used to have a Blackberry work phone when I worked in GA, provided by the boss and paid for. Of course I had to be available 24/7 but themselves the breaks. Also used to use the portable Sat Phone in flight to calk home and ops, all taken care of. But that was a different time. |
Originally Posted by Brian Pern
(Post 11322790)
But that was a different time.
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Originally Posted by Sick
(Post 11322945)
Well, patching an HF call through Stockholm radio to the Mrs to let her know you're going to be late for dinner - that used to get the bean counters attention apparently!
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Originally Posted by hunterboy
(Post 11322241)
It does seem to be the only mugs not to have a company paid for mobile phone are the pilots nowadays ….I’m sure I’m not the only person that refuses to use their free minutes on company business and uses the sat phone on the aeroplane to call Ops. (And I was still put on hold for 20 minutes)
the sort who invites the crew out for dinner and expects the CC to split the bill evenly to help pay for that expensive Bordeaux you ordered. |
Originally Posted by ToCatLady
(Post 11323278)
the sort who invites the crew out for dinner and expects the CC to split the bill evenly to help pay for that expensive Bordeaux you ordered.
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CA now, and will absolutely never do it |
Originally Posted by hunterboy
(Post 11323748)
offer to buy someone a drink?
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There are some expenses that are your responsibility at your home base. There are others that are part of your work "life". A mobile phone with data that works within your sphere of operation is a work tool, increasingly so as we move towards an ever digital cockpit.
We have sat phone onboard to use, aircraft wifi, FBO wifi, a mobile phone with a global roaming and data facility. We select the tool that's cheapest, given the time constraints, to get the job done. Funnily enough, everyone is very sensible about it and it's not abused. Treat crews with respect and that gets returned in every facet of the operation. |
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