"Take your own car, oh no, it doesn't work like that..."

[Flt Lt Badminton-Squash]

This is something that has puzzled more for some time so I was wondering if any of our MT/Adminer brothering could enlighten me?

I was booked to go on a course in ‘That London’ from Monday to Friday (Arrive Sunday evening to start Monday blah blah!) so I looked into the possibility of taking my own car and claiming back the fuel costs. Not always the case I know but I thought I would ask!

On enquiring the conversation went something like this:

Me “I am on a course for a week in London, can I take my own car and claim the fuel cost back?”
MT “you cannot claim your fuel back, oh good god no!”
Me “why not?”
MT “we cant just go around giving money back for fuel, it gets expensive!” {Said in a jovial manner)
Me “So how do I get there then, can I have a service vehicle?”
MT “Sorry, there are none available on those dates”
Me “Oh, so I can use my own car then, should only be around £40 of fuel there and back?”
MT “Oh no, it does not work like that, what we will do is get a hire car in for you”
Me “eh?”
MT “Yeah, we can get you a hire car”
Me “Are you kidding me?”
MT “No, why?”
Me “How much will the hire car cost to hire for the week?”
MT “Oh, about £320 ish cos you are picking it up Sunday and dropping it off Saturday, I think it around there anyway”
Me “Are you kidding?”
MT “No, why?”
Me “ Can you not see a problem there?”
MT “No, what do you mean?”

In a time when we are supposed to be saving money left right and centre, why is this stupid system enforced where by a decision cannot be made to SAVE money! Now I know its only £280 in the grand scheme of things but if you imagine how many times per day this happens across the whole of the Airfarce – I mean, WTF?

Anyone had similar?

Can any MT/Adminers clear this one up as to why we can spend money on hire cars but not allow people to use their own cars which would save money? It makes no sense what so ever to me, maybe I am missing the big picture here.

This is not a trade rant it’s a genuine question!

Anyway, just a thought…

 

[Spearmint]

I've had a similar experience albeit with the Defence Hotel thingymajig booking service.

I only wanted 1 night for 2 of us, near Odiham to visit 27Sqn and she came back stating that we could stay at 'X' hotel for £89.99 a night inc B+B. I asked if there was anything cheaper as I don't want to take the **** in today's Fiscal climate and I'm not bothered about getting fed and watered in the Mess on camp. Finally got an alternative for £34.99 a night for just a bed.

In these cases there should be a bare minimum standard across the board regardless of rank and any luxuries desired such as a Merc hire car or fecking lobster for tea should be out of your own pocket.

 

[snowball1]

ISL recently allowed us to use our cars and claim fuel back at the lowest rate, just have to give 5 weeks notice though!

 

[Pop Star's Wages]

Seems like you might have come up against a jobsworth...at my camp when someone's going away we work through a list of options:

1) Is MT available? If no, goto 2

2) Is the Staish's or Sections spare vehicles available (or is it practical to use them ie do you only need a car for a few hours or a whole week)? If not goto 3

3) What is the cost to take individuals own car? Do they have business insurance? Do they even have a car? Depending on answer to these questions, goto 4

4) Get a hire car or the train

Simple really.

In your instance I would speak to your budget manager and get their backup.

 

[Oberon305]

I agree with you.......it makes no sense whatsoever.

But what the feck makes sense in the MOD's way of thinking anymore.

No doubt some MOD civil servant/policy maker has shares in a hire car company.

 

[Kryten]

Its no different in civvy street - in fact, its probably a bit more bureaucratic....

If I have to drive over 100 miles in total I have to have a hire car - I am not allowed to use my own vehicle and claim the fuel.

When driving said hire car, I am not allowed to use a hands free kit as it goes against company policy and is considered dangerous.

I am also required to have my driving licence details, car insurance and MOT documents held by my employer to show that when I drive to and from work in the morning, I do so in a legally taxed and safe vehicle.

Amazing......

 

[Flt Lt Badminton-Squash]

Seems like you might have come up against a jobsworth...at my camp when someone's going away we work through a list of options:

1) Is MT available? If no, goto 2

2) Is the Staish's or Sections spare vehicles available (or is it practical to use them ie do you only need a car for a few hours or a whole week)? If not goto 3

3) What is the cost to take individuals own car? Do they have business insurance? Do they even have a car? Depending on answer to these questions, goto 4

4) Get a hire car or the train

Simple really.

In your instance I would speak to your budget manager and get their backup.

So not AirFarce wide then, interesting!

 

[Aces and Eights]

This is something that has puzzled more for some time so I was wondering if any of our MT/Adminer brothering could enlighten me?

I'll enlighten yer. It's brethren.
________
****tubbe

 

[Pikeman]

What they are hoping is that you get so fed up with it all you just take your car and not claim.

DT_Xtremez_35:

 

[Flt Lt Badminton-Squash]

I'll enlighten yer ('You' even). It's brethren.

Aaargh, the spelling police...

Good point, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to point that out to me, it is truly appreciated…

 

[Aces and Eights]

Aaargh, the spelling police...

Good point, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to point that out to me, it is truly appreciated?

I'm just pleased to have helped yer.
________
158

 

[Flt Lt Badminton-Squash]

I'm just pleased to have helped yer.

Yer, always nice to help out fellow brothering, but then again, I guess that's what we are all here for, thanks again...

 

[Mug?]

an idea????copyright me!

an idea????copyright me!

How about you use your own car, and fill up from the station pumps!
Only the amout you should have used obviously.
No Tax issues, no reciepts, no dodgey paperwork saying no cars are available. no speeding fines coming through to MT.

just an idea.....

I had to drive my car to camp to pick up an MT vehicle to go to an appointment once. Meaning it took a whole day rather than half a day.

 

[Reformed Scribbly]

Our MT are able to auth, in advance, occasions when we need to use private vehicles for claims purposes.

We do have to ensure that we have business insurance our our own vehicles, depending who you are with it doesn't cost too much.

 

[snowball1]

How about you use your own car, and fill up from the station pumps!
Only the amout you should have used obviously.
No Tax issues, no reciepts, no dodgey paperwork saying no cars are available. no speeding fines coming through to MT.

just an idea.....

I had to drive my car to camp to pick up an MT vehicle to go to an appointment once. Meaning it took a whole day rather than half a day.

Best of luck if u have a petrol car!

 

[metimmee]

Its probably down to the budget manager. In DE&S we are able to elect to use own car and claim duty mileage if approved and if you declare that you have business insurance.

 

[mememe]

Recent conference in south of England, staff who had to attend from our bases in Scotland were not allowed to fly because of the new rules....
Sensible approach:
Fly cheezy jet =£50 ish- down and up in one day.

Military approach:
Flights prohibited, you must use either MT or hire car..cost £ a lot more than £50. Duration 3 days round trip!!!!! They were all allowed to travel individually too....flicking unbelievable! Flicking blinkered mentality.

 

[muttywhitedog]

No doubt my learned friend Stig will be on eventually to put his point across, but here we are not entitled to MT to attend a course. Period. Apparently there is something in a JSP that says MT is ok for meetings but not for courses.

95% of people want to take their own car anyway, so the rejection of the request for MT makes their life a lot easier as they have the rejection slip to back up their claim.

The others who are unable or unwilling to take their vehicle then have to source their preferred mode of travel and also the cheapest and present them to the budget manager for authorisation. Sometimes a hire car will be authorised and sometimes they are told to use the train.