Employee in Violation of Fly America Act Is Personally Liable for Cost

A federal employee was held personally liable for air travel expenses incurred in violation of the Fly America Act. The employee flew with an unauthorized carrier when service was available from an authorized U.S. carrier. GAO held that a traveler's preference or convenience will not determine the availability of passage and the traveler will not be relieved of liability because of ignorance of the law or because arrangements were made by others. The traveler also has a duty to comply with the act and may not defeat its purpose and avoid liability by scheduling travel at his discretion when no constraints are imposed by the traveler's agency.