Congress Loops the Loophole on Air Mileage

It doesn’t have the scandalous whiff of “rubber” checks at the House bank. It doesn’t have Congress watchdogs baying with outrage. Heck, it’s not even against the rules. But to some observers, the millions of frequent-flier miles piled up by airborne congressmen--including those from San Diego County--have a faint “give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves” aroma.

Even though rules allow congressmen to use the bonuses for personal use, some of their aides still exhibit Angst about the issue--given the current perk-avoidance mentality on Capitol Hill.

Ethical perfectionists may wince, but House members are free to convert the travel bonuses for any kind of trip, be it back to the district or to an island refuge.

The House Committee on Administration last September issued a new regulation that “encourages” members to use travel awards earned on official trips for subsequent official business “wherever practicable.”

Before the modification, members had to use the mileage benefits for official trips only, leading some staffers to marvel at the new sky-size loophole.

“There are probably some major abuses going on,” said one veteran House chief of staff who did not want to be quoted by name, “and probably some guys who are playing it straight. But that’s the way this place works--it likes a lot of gray area.”

California members, whose district commute is obviously one of the longest, can easily rack up some significant flight points.

A check of San Diego congressmen shows that all have healthy accumulations, ranging from 650,000 for Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Coronado) to 120,000 for Rep. Randall (Duke) Cunningham (R-San Diego). Rep. Ron Packard (R-Oceanside) has about 540,000 and Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego) has about 220,000. (These totals are staff estimates, and in some cases reflect membership in more than one mileage club.)

The House regulation contrasts with the travel rules of the Senate and the executive branch.

Executive branch employees are urged to join the mileage clubs but are required to turn in miles awarded for business trips, according to Larry Tucker, a spokesman for the General Services Administration.

The various federal agencies devise their own methods for tracking the miles, Tucker said, and in some cases rely on the honor system.

The Senate also takes a firmer stand. The frequent-flier miles are regarded as Senate property and not convertible to personal use, except for “separating” members, who can purchase the mileage at the going government rate, said Christopher D. Shunk, senior auditor of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

The mileage credits are also commonly used to upgrade to higher service classes.

Some critics, like Laguna Niguel City Councilman Paul Christiansen, say membership in the mileage clubs is a clear conflict of interest, particularly for members who ponder airline industry issues.

“If you have 550,000 frequent flier miles, it’s like getting 550,000 dollar bills,” said Christiansen. “It’s just like Nancy Reagan’s gowns. Aren’t these gifts?”

All four San Diego congressmen said they abide by the same general office rule: miles earned on congressional trips will only be used for official business or service upgrades.

Members of San Diego’s congressional delegation agree that, before leaving Congress, they will try to whittle down the mileage accounts and not use “official” miles for personal trips.

That gives Lowery, who withdrew from the race for the 51st District in March, until next January to ponder his flight plan.

At the time the House Administration Committee sent out the new travel regulation--just before the House Bank contretemps caught fire--committee members took pains to deflect suggestions that it was a new perk.