Travel Regulations ?

[intheaircop]

Here is something for you Agents to help the new guy out(me). The FAM service is now telling us where we have to stay when we layover in another state. The Federal Travel Regulations states that I can stay at any hotel as long as it is at or below the GOVT. rate.
Well the all mighty FAM service has come out with a hotel list for the big cities we stay at such as D.C. Now how can they tell me I have to stay at the DAYS INN when I can stay down the street for the same GOVT. rate. I think the fact that all FAMs will be staying in the same hotel can be a safety issue. I was in DALLAS the other night at one of the hotels that I have to stay at and I was not surprised to see a crap load of air marshals eating and drinking in the bar. It does give some time to spread rumors but come on!

THE QUESTION IS THIS: How can the FAM service tells us were we can sleep? The Travel Regulations does not state that I have to stay were the service tells me to stay. They also told us that we would be written up if we were caught staying at other hotles even if it was at or under the GOVT. rate.

[Sleuth]

1. Ask (in writing) why you must stay in the selected hotel. Nothing else, no "I can get a better deal", just WHY?
2. Depending on what you learn, contact OPM and ask them if this is legal.

[intheaircop]

We just got word from our SAIC that it will be policy and we will sign it. So now it looks like we have no choice.

[Sleuth]

Ah, the old "It's policy and you must sign it" ploy. Read it, sign it if you must, then contact OPM (NOT FROM YOUR OFFICE!) and see if what your agency told you is a)True and b)legal. Don't be surprized if OPM says "they can't do that!"
Best of Luck

[famnomore]

I saw this policy coming a year ago. I got so sick and tired of the FAMS making their own rules. Sometimes individual offices making their own rules. Quinn is a horrible leader. He alienated everyone from his first day. I was a FAM before Quinn and his stupid rules and scheduling computer. It was better then. I eventually left to go back to my previous job. It was nice when you could overnight in LGA or JFK and stay in Manhatten.