Job Discussion Forums

Trinley · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 144

Hi there,

I've been offered a job by Westgate to start in September. Their flight policy says that I must buy a round trip ticket back to the airport I left from or back to my country of citizenship. I'm currently on vacation in India, but I hadn't planned on coming back here after my 3 month contract with Westgate. I don't want to go back to the US either. Either way would end up costing me more to get back to work. What I wanted to do is go to China and work during the period between terms with Westgate, or to just stay in Japan if I find another job there. But they won't budge on the policy.

Does anybody who has previously been in this situation know how I can work it out that I don't waste my money because of this policy? I have to buy the ticket by the 5th, but I don't have to buy it through their agent. Thanks for help!

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

Are they requiring this because they reimburse you for ticket costs? Because otherwise that is a really, really stupid policy. Buy a refundable round-trip ticket, show it to them (why do they care?) and return it for a full refund and then fly over on a one-way ticket. How are they even checking this? Does it say WHEN you need to return? Post-date it by 9 months or something.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If you want to come to Japan and then leave for another country, I can see why WC won't pay. In some cases, they would be paying for a vacation flight.

Trinley · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 144

they're already paying for a vacation flight because i'm on vacation now. it's just the reverse of what some other people try to do in using the outbound flight for a vacation.

yes, it's because they will reimburse me. but they stipulate that if i cancel, abandon or change my flight, i forfeit the entire reimbursement. normally they're checking because their agent handles the tickets, but not in my case.

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

mdoor · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 54

PhilDuval · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 11

I would also like to know a bit more about the flight reimbursement policy. I will be working for Westgate this September. My flight home is on 18th December but I would like to change it so I can try to fit in a Winter camp in Korea and maybe visit a friend in Beijing.

Will Westgate find out from the Japanese travel agency that I changed? Do Westgate escort you to the airport?!

I would really appreciate some advice on this. Thanks

mdoor · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 54

PhilDuval · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 11

thanks a lot for your reply!

yes i have already bought my ticket although the lady told me it was date changeable for a fee. there was no other way round it, Westgate told me the agency I had to use and the agency had to send my provisional booking for approval.

I understand why they want it like this but it's crazy for me to go all the way to Japan and then not try to figure out working options in Korea, China etc.

mdoor · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 54

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PhilDuval · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 11

Many thanks for your advice Mdoor!

Glenski, I don't expect Westgate to pay for a ''vacation'' flight for me, I will be paying for that, I just wanted some extra time out in Asia to research my next job AFTER I have FINISHED working for Westgate. If I have finished my contract then morally I don't see the big problem in changing my flight.

As I said I understand why Westgate have their rules. Thanks for your thoughts.

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta

While it is good that Westgate pay for flights, I feel that their policy is unnecessarily restrictive. Especially when these days, US$1ooo doesn't cover it for some people.

Glenski.....People in the situation of the OP are merely trying to keep their options open while trying not to forgo the not insignificant sum of US$1000.

I totally fail to see how anyone interprets this as trying to scam a holiday out of Westgate.

I wouldn't consider going if they didn't pay towards flights. they only offer three months work, paid fairly but not over generously..and paying for your own flight would take a huge chunk out of any savings made during that time.

They pay for a flight from/to your country of origin or back to where you came from.

But I imagine that a lot of people who put their hands up for a three month gig are not settled permanently in their own country or in some semi permanent overseas domicile to which they wish to return to.
A lot of us are ..er ...kinda nomadic. Esl is like that. Not everyone picks a country and stays there.

I personally can't see why they don't just cover travel expenses up to an agreed amount and I don't understand the big deal where you fly in from or (especially) where you fly to AFTER you have completed your contract. What's so difficult for this company if the teacher decides they want to go to China etc instead of back to India?? In many cases, the teacher's preferred itinerary would actually be cheaper.

I'm sure a lot of teachers would be happy with a one way ticket to Japan, which would allow them some financial assistance without sacrificing flexibility, but this is not an option.

you understand why they have their rules? Well I don't understand this one!

Unfortunately, they make the make the rules and as you know already, they are not open to negotiation.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

bule_boy69 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Location: Jakarta