With President Donald Trump and the GOP prolonging the partial government shutdown, a Republican lawmaker had an uncomfortable run-in Tuesday when a fellow airplane passenger found him flying first class from Chicago to Washington, D.C., according to a video of the encounter shared with HuffPost.
“Congressman, do you think it’s appropriate to fly first class while 57 TSA agents aren’t being paid?” the person says to Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), in an apparent reference to the Transportation Security Administration’s 57,000 employees, who are being required to work without pay. […]
Davis remained silent, prompting the person to say, “Taking that as a yes.”
“Taxpayers paid for this flight? Fair enough,” he added.
Davis spokesperson Ashley Phelps told the site that the lawmaker has never used tax-payer money to purchase first-class tickets, and did not do so for Tuesday’s flight.
Phelps said Davis’s office bought a coach ticket and was upgraded to first class because of his frequent flyer status.
“There was no additional cost to taxpayers,” she said.
OK, fine. I’ve taken upgrades before (the first time was when I was 16 and was delighted to be treated to champagne at takeoff). And the frequent flyer upgrades are allowed by congressional ethics rules. But it’s not like this hasn’t been an issue for Davis in the past. From the 2014 campaign…
Eerily prescient right down to the shutdown.
Not to mention that an ad on endless loop supporting Davis last fall made a big issue out of his opponent’s membership in a local yacht club.
33 Comments
- Former Downstater - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:06 pm:
It may be allowable under ethics rules but it still seems shady to accumulate status on the taxpayer dime.
Davis was also doing a big “jes folks” song-and-dance about being a “McDonald’s Family” during that dumb thing with the Clemson football team last week.
I would suggest to Davis that maybe he can get a side-gig, or side contract (sign an nda, of course) from the President. Billionaires can do that kind of thing.
Trump can pay him an extra $175K, because Davis is a hardworking public servant that isn’t paid enough by his government salary. Then, Davis can fly 1st class and join Betsy’s tiny yacht club.
Here is a suggestion:
Next time, take a good look around the area. Is there a senior citizen or a person with physical impairments? Or maybe just have them ask if there is someone flying to a funeral ? Or ask if there is someone not getting paid due to the shutdown Defer to those people for an upgrade.
Ethics rules aside, can anyone comment as to whether the value of these miles accrued annually would be considered income? It seems like the employee (Rep Davis) is deriving a personal benefit from expenses paid by the employer (US House) during the course of ordinary business.
IRS doesn’t pursue benefits earned from flights taken when an individual pays for the flights, but Rep Davis (and probably no other Congressperson) is paying for these flights individually. Wouldn’t the points would belong to the employer (US House), and become income upon redemption by an individual?
@donthelegend - and Rodney wins . . . . . .again. His chances do not get worse in this district with the Trumpster on the ballot.
In light of the endless delays, crappy service, zero leg space reality of air travel, I take the upgrade every time if the cost is $0.00. Life is too short to worry about gotcha nonsense.
Live by the aww shucks persona, die by the aww shucks persona. There’s always someone more aww shucks than you, so why play that game. “We can’t even pay our bills, and he’s drinking ROYAL CROWN cola.”
IIRC Pat Quinn donated all of his state-earned frequent flier miles to military groups and made some staffers do the same. But that’s totally separate from all the perks that come with airline status (including upgrades that can be complementary depending on status level).
I was on a flight from DC to Phoenix next to Rep. Paul Gosar a few years ago. He said that he gives his upgrades to military members. Look him up on the wiki, if he’s smart enough to avoid this problem…
- I Miss Bentohs - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:19 pm:
Jibba is correct with “Sounds like a typical Davis encounter with a constituent…unresponsive.”
Ron is the biggest follower. He will not do anything unless he is told what to do or say (read that as, where his bread is buttered).
Oh Lordy clutch the pearls. Rodney took an upgrade?
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:18 pm:
What is truly shocking is that Rep. Davis didn’t board the plane last. Although I can just see him, clamoring like the dog in the Grinch cartoon wanting to ride upfront, trying to be the first to board the plane.
Had he waited to board as the last person on, no one would have been the wiser. Last on, first off. Nuff said.
He’s been in politics how long and it didn’t strike him to decline or give the upgrade to someone else. Like, how are his instincts STILL this terrible?
I worked in DC for a member of Congress and I flew frequently to Chicago as a staffer, so to me this situation is amusing because it’s so predictable and avoidable.
Back then employees (even Congressmen) accrued FF miles without any system to monitor how they’re later applied. Logistically, that makes sense given the alternative. I recall a House rule that miles accrued for official travel should ideally be used to offset future official travel, but that was more of a suggestion since there was no way to enforce it (even following it is complicated).
Our internal rule was that the boss would NEVER fly first class for official travel (especially to the district), because of how it looked and what it “said” - not just the cost. That included declining (or giving away) upgrades that weren’t even requested, back when airlines filled empty first class seats by prioritizing FF status before ticket price (a factor that now excludes anyone with a low/negotiated government fare).
Congressmen get a set office budget, and if they manage it responsibly it’s not unreasonable if they use their miles for personal travel. Most employees do and the alternative would save taxpayers little, if anything. The problem is when they actually rip us off, are too stupid to realize when they appear to be, or are just coming off as elitist jerks. Only the most arrogant or obtuse Congressmen didn’t get that.
I live in IL13 and keep a close eye on Davis. He is a complicit tool incapable of original thought. If Mcarthy or Scalise don’t give him an index card with talking points he would be a mute. (no offense to mutes)
- Former Downstater - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:06 pm:
It may be allowable under ethics rules but it still seems shady to accumulate status on the taxpayer dime.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:10 pm:
I’m most offended by the obviously stupid politics of it all. Bro. You shoulda seen this one coming.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:11 pm:
Davis was also doing a big “jes folks” song-and-dance about being a “McDonald’s Family” during that dumb thing with the Clemson football team last week.
- Lane Change - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:13 pm:
I wonder if he knew, he could fly to Puerto Rico or Hawaii first class, from Chicago….
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:15 pm:
I’m guessing Rodney was surprised anyone recognized him as a congresscritter. He’s about as non-descript as they come for a politician.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:17 pm:
===Not to mention that an ad on endless loop supporting Davis last fall made a big issue out of his opponent’s membership in a local yacht club.===
Sometimes you catch the bear, sometimes the bear catches you…
- cdog - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:19 pm:
I would suggest to Davis that maybe he can get a side-gig, or side contract (sign an nda, of course) from the President. Billionaires can do that kind of thing.
Trump can pay him an extra $175K, because Davis is a hardworking public servant that isn’t paid enough by his government salary. Then, Davis can fly 1st class and join Betsy’s tiny yacht club.
/ha
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:25 pm:
While the rest of the country debates the border wall, Congressman Davis is busy erecting a first-class curtain between himself and his constituents.
- Louis Capricious - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:26 pm:
This is the same guy pandering to the lowest common denominator by supposedly longing for some day-old McDonald’s. Pick a persona, already.
https://twitter.com/RodneyDavis/status/1085224448725340160
- thoughts matter - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:33 pm:
Here is a suggestion:
Next time, take a good look around the area. Is there a senior citizen or a person with physical impairments? Or maybe just have them ask if there is someone flying to a funeral ? Or ask if there is someone not getting paid due to the shutdown Defer to those people for an upgrade.
- Jibba - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
Sounds like a typical Davis encounter with a constituent…unresponsive.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
Think about this.
It’s only about ten months until Rodney and Betsy file their petitions for 2020.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:40 pm:
Dumb, Dumb. Dumb. I know it’s early, but the DCCC should run this in a steady loop for a few months. Call it tenderizing for 2020.
- Deadbeat Conservative - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:49 pm:
Unfortunately this kind of attitude is fine with a slight majority of his constituents.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:51 pm:
This guy needs to settle for the Exit Row in Coach. C’mon man, it’s a 2 hour flight.
- Midstate Indy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:54 pm:
Michelle Flaherty, I’ve missed those zingers.
Ethics rules aside, can anyone comment as to whether the value of these miles accrued annually would be considered income? It seems like the employee (Rep Davis) is deriving a personal benefit from expenses paid by the employer (US House) during the course of ordinary business.
IRS doesn’t pursue benefits earned from flights taken when an individual pays for the flights, but Rep Davis (and probably no other Congressperson) is paying for these flights individually. Wouldn’t the points would belong to the employer (US House), and become income upon redemption by an individual?
- Chicagonk - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:55 pm:
The definition of a nontroversy right here.
- Truthseeker - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:55 pm:
@donthelegend - and Rodney wins . . . . . .again. His chances do not get worse in this district with the Trumpster on the ballot.
In light of the endless delays, crappy service, zero leg space reality of air travel, I take the upgrade every time if the cost is $0.00. Life is too short to worry about gotcha nonsense.
- Firsty - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 12:57 pm:
Live by the aww shucks persona, die by the aww shucks persona. There’s always someone more aww shucks than you, so why play that game. “We can’t even pay our bills, and he’s drinking ROYAL CROWN cola.”
IIRC Pat Quinn donated all of his state-earned frequent flier miles to military groups and made some staffers do the same. But that’s totally separate from all the perks that come with airline status (including upgrades that can be complementary depending on status level).
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:09 pm:
Are points/rewards/miles from hotels or airlines considered income for anyone?
Who honestly would decline an upgrade to first class or a better hotel room that cost taxpayers or their employer zero?
For anyone who is a frequent business traveler it is certainly not an easy part of the job.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:14 pm:
First Class seems to suit Rodney Davis?
Swamp meet Thing?
- Truthteller - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:17 pm:
I hope londrigan runs again, Davis only won because of Macon country vote. He is the worse of the worse.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
Davis obviously has no 2020 hindsight or foresight. Betsy- please run again!
- SaulGoodman - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 1:31 pm:
**Davis only won because of Macon country vote. **
What a weird comment. You mean Davis only won because he got more people to vote for him, some of which lived in Macon County?
Also, I’m pretty sure voters from Macon County will still be allowed to vote in 2020?
- jimmydean - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
this is the first memeber of congress to do this..shocking..
- chuddery - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:18 pm:
I was on a flight from DC to Phoenix next to Rep. Paul Gosar a few years ago. He said that he gives his upgrades to military members. Look him up on the wiki, if he’s smart enough to avoid this problem…
- I Miss Bentohs - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:19 pm:
Jibba is correct with “Sounds like a typical Davis encounter with a constituent…unresponsive.”
Ron is the biggest follower. He will not do anything unless he is told what to do or say (read that as, where his bread is buttered).
- Smitty Irving - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 2:51 pm:
He should do an Elvis and give the seat to a soldier / first responder …
- DuPage Bard - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:01 pm:
Oh Lordy clutch the pearls. Rodney took an upgrade?
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 3:18 pm:
What is truly shocking is that Rep. Davis didn’t board the plane last. Although I can just see him, clamoring like the dog in the Grinch cartoon wanting to ride upfront, trying to be the first to board the plane.
Had he waited to board as the last person on, no one would have been the wiser. Last on, first off. Nuff said.
- knownothing - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 4:17 pm:
He’s been in politics how long and it didn’t strike him to decline or give the upgrade to someone else. Like, how are his instincts STILL this terrible?
- LC04 - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 4:20 pm:
I worked in DC for a member of Congress and I flew frequently to Chicago as a staffer, so to me this situation is amusing because it’s so predictable and avoidable.
Back then employees (even Congressmen) accrued FF miles without any system to monitor how they’re later applied. Logistically, that makes sense given the alternative. I recall a House rule that miles accrued for official travel should ideally be used to offset future official travel, but that was more of a suggestion since there was no way to enforce it (even following it is complicated).
Our internal rule was that the boss would NEVER fly first class for official travel (especially to the district), because of how it looked and what it “said” - not just the cost. That included declining (or giving away) upgrades that weren’t even requested, back when airlines filled empty first class seats by prioritizing FF status before ticket price (a factor that now excludes anyone with a low/negotiated government fare).
Congressmen get a set office budget, and if they manage it responsibly it’s not unreasonable if they use their miles for personal travel. Most employees do and the alternative would save taxpayers little, if anything. The problem is when they actually rip us off, are too stupid to realize when they appear to be, or are just coming off as elitist jerks. Only the most arrogant or obtuse Congressmen didn’t get that.
- Oneholeoff - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 5:41 pm:
I live in IL13 and keep a close eye on Davis. He is a complicit tool incapable of original thought. If Mcarthy or Scalise don’t give him an index card with talking points he would be a mute. (no offense to mutes)