B-127427, MAY 3, 1956
Highlights
INC.: REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF MARCH 21. YOU ASK WHETHER IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT THAT CARRIERS HOLD THE TRANSPORTATION REQUEST UNTIL THE TRAVELER HAS COMPLETED THE ROUND TRIP. THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT BILLING FOR THE ROUND-TRIP TRAVEL OF THE TRAVELER AND THE EXCESS BAGGAGE ON THE GOING TRIP BE WITHHELD PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THE TRAVEL IN ORDER THAT BILLING FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE ON THE RETURN TRIP MAY BE INCLUDED. MANY CARRIERS HAVE FOUND IT ADVANTAGEOUS TO WAIT A REASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE BILLING THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE TRAVEL IN ORDER TO SAVE THE EXPENSE INCURRED BY SUPPLEMENTARY BILLING. IS USED LIKE A PASSAGE TICKET.
B-127427, MAY 3, 1956
TO MR. JOE H. KEHL, CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, CORDOVA AIRLINES, INC.:
REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF MARCH 21, 1956, RELATIVE TO THE PROVISIONS OF OUR GENERAL REGULATIONS NO. 123 CONCERNING EXCESS BAGGAGE CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH ROUND-TRIP AIR TRAVEL. YOU ASK WHETHER IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT THAT CARRIERS HOLD THE TRANSPORTATION REQUEST UNTIL THE TRAVELER HAS COMPLETED THE ROUND TRIP.
THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT BILLING FOR THE ROUND-TRIP TRAVEL OF THE TRAVELER AND THE EXCESS BAGGAGE ON THE GOING TRIP BE WITHHELD PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THE TRAVEL IN ORDER THAT BILLING FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE ON THE RETURN TRIP MAY BE INCLUDED. HOWEVER, MANY CARRIERS HAVE FOUND IT ADVANTAGEOUS TO WAIT A REASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE BILLING THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE TRAVEL IN ORDER TO SAVE THE EXPENSE INCURRED BY SUPPLEMENTARY BILLING. THE GOVERNMENT, ALSO, CAN EFFECT A SAVINGS IN A SINGLE-BILLING OPERATION.
IN THIS SITUATION THERE ARISES THE QUESTION OF PROPER DOCUMENTARY SUPPORT FOR THE SUPPLEMENTARY BILLING FOR THE BALANCE OF THE EXCESS BAGGAGE CHARGES. OUR TRANSPORTATION DIVISION REPORTS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED BY MANY CARRIERS THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF A SO-CALLED "GEBA" (GOVERNMENT EXCESS BAGGAGE AUTHORIZATION) FORM, THE USE OF WHICH FACILITATES THE SUPPLEMENTARY BILLING OF EXCESS BAGGAGE CHARGES, WHETHER FOR THE RETURN PORTION OF A ROUND TRIP OR FOR CONTINUATION OF TRAVEL AFTER A STOPOVER. THE SAID FORM WHICH FURNISHES PASSENGERS WITH CARRIER DOCUMENTARY AUTHORIZATION FOR SUCH SERVICE AFTER TENDER OF THE TRANSPORTATION REQUEST AT POINT OF ORIGIN, IS USED LIKE A PASSAGE TICKET. THE AIRLINE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING CONFERENCE, A DIVISION OF THE AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, 1107 SIXTEENTH ST., N.W. WASHINGTON 6, D.C., MAY BE ABLE TO FURNISH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IN REGARD TO THE USE OF THE "GEBA" FORM.