I am PCSing to Korea and my AMC GOV flight is out of Seattle. Can I get paid for mileage to drive to Seattle rather than fly?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 18:33:41 -0400

I am PCSing (with dependents and command sponsorship) to the ROK at the end of July. I already have reserved pet space on our government AMC flight that leaves out of SeaTac Int.

I am currently stationed at Fort Bragg and have travel arranged through Port Call / Carlson WagonLit. We were scheduled to fly Delta out of Raleigh to Seattle.

Flying at the end of July, Delta likely isn't going to let our dog fly due to heat / weather restrictions in place. There's an embargo on flying animals as checked baggage from May 15 to Sept 15. There is an exception for military on official orders but even then if the temperature is expected to reach over 85 degrees for the day, they won't fly the dog. This is almost assured being at the end of July.

I'm already planning to drive our rental SUV across country to Seattle in order to get the dog there. I would like to know if I can get paid for mileage since this is not a PPM move???

I don't remember even being given the option to drive. I plan to contact Port Call about it but I was wondering what other advice I could find on Rally Point.

As far as I know, there are no weather restrictions for the AMC flight but I'm still concerned in the event that there is, I'll be stuck at the airport with a dog that I have no idea what to do with when I have to continue on as scheduled. I can't just set him loose.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 6:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 18:56:12 -0400

I might have found my own answer in regards to Privately Owned Conveyance.

SM's can be paid 0.17 cents per mile when traveling by POC and a per diem flat rate of $142 dollars per day for each day of authorized travel used.

The catch is that regulation only dictates what allowances may be paid based on the AO's determination on whether use of a POC is in the Gov't's interest (never for personal convenience).

So essentially I need to convince someone that it's in the government's interest for my family to drive to Seattle rather than fly.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 22 at 2018 7:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 19:29:13 -0400

In theory the government will pay you the lessor of flying or driving.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 7:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 19:42:34 -0400

I understand why you would want to ask this here, but this is exactly the kind of question you go to the source to answer. Contact the levy section at MPD before you make a very expensive mistake.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 8:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 20:05:16 -0400

I've been reading JTR (Joint Travel Regulation). This may elaborate on my previous answer:

0403 TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED CONVEYANCE (POC)
040301. Use of POC
An AO may authorize, but cannot direct a traveler to use a POC in connection with travel
on official government business. NOTE: An employee may not be prohibited from using a POC
on official travel.

040303. When POC Use is Not More Advantageous to the Government
If an employee elects to use a POC instead of the transportation mode authorized, then:
A. Reimbursement must be limited to the constructed cost of the authorized transportation mode, which is the sum of per diem and the transportation cost the Government would have incurred when traveling by the authorized transportation mode.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 9:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 21:10:55 -0400

I will highly advise you to contact the AMC terminal in Seattle because they usually have the same restrictions as far as flying in reference to your dog. Most people with pets that fly during the summer usually have to send their pets early, later after the summer restriction or they pay an expensive amount to fly their pet on a different airline and unfortunately it is not reimbursed. As far as driving you will only be reimbursed what the government would pay to fly you. In other word if it cost the government $1200 to fly you and your family and the travel time is 1 day, that’s the maximum the government will pay. Please go to transportation and the MPD to see if there are any exceptions. Good luck to you.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 23 at 2018 1:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 13:19:23 -0400

Tell us how things are progressing.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2018 9:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 21:27:12 -0500

The short answer (that you may not want to hear) is maybe. According to the JTR, travel must be by the least expensive means, i.e. flight vs mileage. You need to reference your orders o see what your orders say- "travel is booked using CTO/SATO authorizing airfare" for X number of dependents and Servicemember. The bottom line you must probably get your orders amended to include travel via POV. You will also may not receive full reimbursement for the mileage- as they will probably just pay you on what the GSA Airfare is from Bragg (Raleigh?) to Seattle. Not the mileage maximum amount. You will have to contact the government transportation office for guidance. I wouldn't recommend going rouge and doing everything on your own- get it in writing! Orders, Directives, Memos, etc. get approval first.