Will the High gas prices = new Cola Rates

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

With the gas prices climbing will there be a push to increase the cola for most areas and grant it to new ones?

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

COLA will increase only when the items that comprise the COL index rises. If petro isn't apart of the index, you won't get an increase.

[HSC Chris Fly]

How about they actually get COLA where it's needed first! I still can't believe LA has COLA, but San Diego doesn't! I think out avg. gas is around $4.50 a gallon now....

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

How about they actually get COLA where it's needed first! I still can't believe LA has COLA, but San Diego doesn't! I think out avg. gas is around $4.50 a gallon now....

You get a COL raise annually based on the COL index and political temperment in Congress.

LA may get a COLA ... but isn't that the housing allowance adjustment?

The price of petrol doesn't figure into your housing costs ... well ... except for the utility bills.

Commuting costs are not included in the housing COLA ... and may be included in your annual COL raise as authorized by Congress.

[AMTCM John Long]

As you guys might know, here in HQ if you carpool or commute in you get compensated in one way or another via vouchers or cheap parking. If you drive in by yourself, you do not get any breaks. I drive about 52 miles a day and it costs me $55 a month to park in the building. I have to fill up the Protege once a week at $50+ per fill up. So I figure I spend $250+ a month out of my pocket to come to work.:confused:

I get to work between 0400-0410 every morning. I don't like it, but I really can't complain though. There are not any Coasties in my neighborhood who want to go in early. I don't want to deal with the rush hour traffic. If I was brave, I would ride a motorcycle in and pay only $15 a month for parking. I'm not that brave. Another plus of working early is you can get things done without distractions.

[AETCS Scott Wood]

I think there's some cornfusion here. Don't mix up BAH, CONUS COLA and annual pay increases.

"CONUS COLA compensates for a portion of excess costs for non-housing expenses incurred in areas that exceed costs in an average U.S. military location by more than 8%. Housing and housing related costs are covered under the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and excluded from CONUS COLA."

If you wanna read more about this... start here:

http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil/perdiem/faqccola.html

Fascinating stuff. :cool:

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

"CONUS COLA compensates for a portion of excess costs for non-housing expenses incurred in areas that exceed costs in an average U.S. military location by more than 8%."


Well with the gas prices going up everywhere, that also raises the average. I very highly doubt that they can afford to give COLA to everyone because of the ever rising gas prices.

[HSC Chris Fly]

Well with the gas prices going up everywhere, that also raises the average. I very highly doubt that they can afford to give COLA to everyone because of the ever rising gas prices.

That's the exact reason I think San Diego doesn't get COLA, too many servicemembers.....which is a load of BS! I still can't believe LA goes over the 8% line and San Diego doesn't.

So, since I've started riding my bike the 22 miles to work, I wonder what type of compensation I'd get? That's right NOTHING, the US, as a whole, is horrible with promoting bike commuting and the military isn't any better. They just opened a new transit train in North County and are going to limit the number of bikes to two per car because too many people were using the mass transit....hmmm, doesn't make much sense does it? Let's stifle people commuting, nice plan! It kills me how far behind Europe we are in the transit business...

[AETCS Scott Wood]

The COLA is based on the "averages" - right now the national average for regular gas is $4.08; 8% above that is about $4.41. If you're paying less than 4.41, you're area wouldn't qualify for anything anyway. We're paying about $4.60 in Kodiak... according to http://www.sandiegogasprices.com/ the average in San Diego today is about $4.68--Ouch! However, it also lists a number of stations selling for $4.40.

If you're not using gasbuddy.com already... do yourself a favor and check it out.

COLA is based on all the averages averaged together, so it can really get complicated and when the opportunity to do the COL surveys that come around, it is imperative that the Chiefs get involved and ensure everyone knows how that game works--make sure there's ample input reflecting the actual cost of buying on the local open market. The idea behind it is to try to keep all of our "purchasing power" reasonably close to one another so we're not excessively financially disadvantaged by assignment to a high cost area.

[AMTCM John Long]

FWIW....if you go TAD using your POV, I think you get 51 cents per mile now. I have to double check but I think it just went up this year.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

So, since I've started riding my bike the 22 miles to work, I wonder what type of compensation I'd get?

Chris, you're setting yourself to live longer....that is of course provided that one of those Cali drivers doesn't take you out one day. :eek: :eek:

FWIW....if you go TAD using your POV, I think you get 51 cents per mile now. I have to double check but I think it just went up this year.

John, yes it's right around there, maybe 50.5 if I remember correctly. But depending on your vehicle and the distance you have to drive that's still not enough if it's coming out of your pocket.

I flew back and forth to RI last week for a retirement and it cost $145 round trip from Philly. I'm leaving shortly and again flying to DC out of Philly for a conference and that round trip is $1K, it's all just too crazy. :confused: :confused:

[AMTCM John Long]

Bruce, yes....it's .505 cents. If you're in the Transpoint Bldg on your next trip and have time for a lunch, give me call.

John

[HSC Chris Fly]

Chris, you're setting yourself to live longer....that is of course provided that one of those Cali drivers doesn't take you out one day. :eek: :eek:


Bruce,
That's why I do it, I was just venting a little. BTW- do you know if the CG will reimburse for vanpools everywhere, or just certain pre-determined areas? Would I be able to get reimburses if I got into a vanpool here in San Diego?
Chris

[BMC Ken Gouge]

If anyone out there is influencing the powers that be, the money should be figured into everyones base pay raise in January. Few of us actually get COLA. Everyone has been affected by gas prices, and a base pay raise is the only thing that would compensate everyone "equally".

Write your CongressCritters and let them know that their constituents are concerned over these things. If enough people care AND voice it, that SHOULD help.

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

... They just opened a new transit train in North County and are going to limit the number of bikes to two per car because too many people were using the mass transit....hmmm, doesn't make much sense does it? Let's stifle people commuting, nice plan! It kills me how far behind Europe we are in the transit business...


Chris,
I'm not sure what country in the EU your referring too, but I can tell you that in Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Germany and Belgium you can not take your bike on the local transit system (Bus or train). The only time we were able to take a bike on the public transportation was on the ferries in Holland or if we took the Intra EU train (i.e. going from Holland to Germany). Keep in mind, that you also pay for taking your bike on the Intra EU trains. It actually cost us more to bring our bikes on the train than our passenger tickets. None of the inner country systems allow you to bring your bike on them. I've got a picture at the Amsterdam Central Train Station bike garage that has probably close to 5000 bike in it.

It's kind of ironic where most EU citizens wish they could make there union more like the states, and most people in the states wish they could make it more like the EU. I guess most people just believe the grass is greener on the other side...

Craig

[HSC Chris Fly]

Craig,
My only experiance is with the UK and I didn't have my bike with me. My point is that pretty much anywhere in Europe, you can take a train to get where you need to be. The US only has a few major cities where this is a possibility. While a train ticket may seem to be expensive, it's a lot cheaper than paying for gas, parking, wear and tear and in places like London, a congestion tax. Try getting from one side of Indianapolis to the other taking the bus.....
Chris