Mike Causey

Free Airport Parking For (Some) Feds

More than 500 feds enjoy free parking at two of three of Washington\'s main airports. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey tells you what it takes to join the club.

Federal News Network Staff

June 2, 2008 4:00 am

3 min read

If you enjoyed an 3 day day or longer Memorial Day holiday, congratulations, even though it’s probably fading into memory. Or if you had to work, that may be seared in your brain forever.

But if you are the sort who enjoys second hand happiness, there is reason to rejoice. Your hard-driving members of the House and Senate, the folks who are “fighting” for you 24/7 had a good break. They don’t have to come back until today, and most won’t make it until tomorrow.

Officially their Memorial Day break lasted from May 24 (a Saturday) to today, June 2. But “officially” is one thing, reality is another. In fact many if not most members bailed out a little early (like Thursday the 22nd) and won’t be back on the job until tomorrow (Tuesday the 3). That has long been known as the TWT Club. Translation: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the work days. Mondays and Fridays, more often than not, are for fleeing the city.

If you doubt it…

Get somebody to check out those close-to-the-terminal free VIP parking lots at Washington’s Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport. Members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices can park in those spaces for as long as they like. Ordinary folk sometimes, especially around holidays, have to park a long, long way away. Far enough away to ensure that, in some cases, you will miss your airplane.

Members of Congress are allowed to book different flights on different airlines. If you try that you pay a penalty. When they do it there is no fee, no downside – except for people who missed a flight because a seat was booked by a no show Senator or Representative.

But it’s not all wine and roses for the politicians.

At Reagan airport (very close to Capitol Hill) 89 of 8,000 spaces are reserved for VIPs. At Dulles, 97 of the 25,000 slots are reserved for the servants of the people. Lawmakers who ensure that all men (and women) get the same treatment. But don’t push that point and try to park in their VIP spots.

For more on the perks of power, or power of perks, click here.

Super G-Women

Women in Federal Law Enforcement will have a special awards June 28th in Tampa. The banquet will honor WFLE’s best-of-the-best picks who are: Paige Fitzgerald, Special Litigation Counsel, Justice headquarters; Jennifer Chun, Assistant US Attorney, Philadelphia; and Karen Gable, Assistant US Attorney, Orlando.

The Julie Y. Cross award went to Melissa Foy, Senior Officer Specialist with the Bureau of Prisons. Maria Palmer, Area Port Director CBP gets the Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee Award. DEA Special Agent Nancy Lane wins the Outstanding Advocate for Women in Federal Law Enforcement Award. For other winners click on: http://www.wifle.org

Judy Makes It Official

Judy Park, long-time legislative director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees has herself, finally, retired. Her last day was May 30. We detailed her plan earlier this month.

Dan Adcock, her long-time deputy moves up to head the legislative department and Jill Crissman moves up to be deputy. They both have tough shoes to fill! For more on Judy’s career, click here.

Nearly Useless Factoid

This is the start of National Business Etiquette Week. According to Monster.com, “business etiquette is genderless. For example, the traditional chivalrous etiquette of holding the door open for a woman is not necessary in the workplace and can even have the unintended effect of offending her. In the work environment, men and women are peers.” Why this is “nearly useless”: you already knew this.

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com