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mdoor
Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
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 Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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| bule_boy69 wrote: |
| 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. |
I suspect Westgate started using an assigned travel agent in the US when airfares were low to get people to Tokyo for less than 1K. If left on their own, people would find a way to charge the full 1K no matter what they pay for a ticket. Frankly, I did...I joined Westegate from outside the US, paid less than 1K for my R/T ticket, but still had Westgate reimburse the full 1K. Now with airfares well over the 1K mark, I don't think it matters but it would seem Westgate built a relationship with the travel agent. In Japanese business an emphasis is put on relationships and would likely want to keep it going in case airfares drop below $1,000 USD again.
| bule_boy69 wrote: |
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! |
Any round-trip ticket is a one-way ticket if you choose not to get on the return flight 
I think they prefer for you to complete the job and go back home safely. They hire plenty young adults who may be looking to travel for the first time overseas, I don't think WG wants the company name in the mix as the sponsor if said young adult turns up missing (for a serous reason or otherwise).
[quote="bule_boy69"]mate... Some of your posts are very informative, but on this occasion I get the impression that you are motivated by a need to comment and have the last word on everything.
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bule_boy69
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Posts: 158
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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having to use their approved agent is not cool.
The agent knows full well that you HAVE to use them if you want to get reimbursed, so has no incentive to be competitive. I remember them quoting me around a hundred dollars more for the same airline/dates compared to a main high street travel agent.
Not quite sure what you mean 'if people were left on their own'. A lot of people are left on their own if they dont arrive from the UK/US/AUS etc where Westgate's prefered agents operate. And I had to provide a receipt, so dunno how you managed to get anything extra outa them.
If you didn't get on the return flight, then I think you have burned your bridges with Westgate. ...And yes they do find out in some cases.....
As I said..it's an irritation for someone in the OP's position and I sympathise that's all..
But unfortunately they make the rules...
I have no experience to share of bending or flouting those rules. Personally I chose a hub city that was in the middle or where i was likely to end up.
Note that if you do this, the check in staff at Narita will probably ask you for an onward ticket from that country.
Good luck in making the Westgate gig work for you. |
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Mr. Kalgukshi
Mod Team
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Future postings directed at the messenger rather than the message will result in sanctions. Members are encouraged to bring such postings to the attention of the Mod Team by Report Post or PM. |
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mdoor
Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| bule_boy69 wrote: |
| having to use their approved agent is not cool. |
I understand you, but they are paying 1,000 USD for your airfare. I don't know of ANY employer who will do that for a short-term contract. Your real complaint is the manor that they are giving you a $1000 benefit that you could not expect from anyone else...the dirty SObees!
Westgate is very structured with a lot of rules that are spelled out. If you are this upset right at the start, I worry how happy you will be in the program.
| Mr. Kalgukshi wrote: |
| Future postings directed at the messenger rather than the message will result in sanctions. Members are encouraged to bring such postings to the attention of the Mod Team by Report Post or PM. |
Pointing out that a poster has never worked at Westgate a dispatch company or in Tokyo is NOT an attack against the messenger. It is giving readers context for the messages that they read.
I have never been to the planet Mars. If someone wrote here that I never lived or worked on the planet Mars, I am not sure how that would be some kind of attack against me. Is the fact that Glenski never worked at Westgate a dispatch company or in Metro Tokyo such a strong statement the it really must be moderated? |
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bule_boy69
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Posts: 158
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:45 am Post subject: |
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| mdoor wrote: |
| Westgate is very structured with a lot of rules that are spelled out. If you are this upset right at the start, I worry how happy you will be in the program. |
Well yeah....we all have to play the game according to who makes the rules, doesn't mean we are always happy with them.
Actually it's not really the manner that they give it that's the problem for some people. If their agent quotes more and it's over $1000 then that's money out of the instructors pocket. More importantly, for some people whose lifestyles don't fit into a particular pattern, that benefit is not available at all.
I admit...not the worst problem you could face with a employer hey...wasn't particularly upset about it, but it does make doing WG a little more complicated for people such as the OP
Generally I thought Westgate was a good deal/experience and I'm sure most would agree. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't hear a LOT of complaining from instructors about that rigid structure you describe.
Some people were unlucky...but I don't slag Westgate, never had any big issues. |
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mdoor
Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:57 am Post subject: |
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| bule_boy69 wrote: |
| mdoor wrote: |
| Westgate is very structured with a lot of rules that are spelled out. If you are this upset right at the start, I worry how happy you will be in the program. |
Well yeah....we all have to play the game according to who makes the rules, doesn't mean we are always happy with them.
Actually it's not really the manner that they give it that's the problem for some people. If their agent quotes more and it's over $1000 then that's money out of the instructors pocket. More importantly, for some people whose lifestyles don't fit into a particular pattern, that benefit is not available at all.
I admit...not the worst problem you could face with a employer hey...wasn't particularly upset about it, but it does make doing WG a little more complicated for people such as the OP
Generally I thought Westgate was a good deal/experience and I'm sure most would agree. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't hear a LOT of complaining from instructors about that rigid structure you describe.
Some people were unlucky...but I don't slag Westgate, never had any big issues. |
Yeah, I heard teachers complain about the many things right on the first day I met them at orientation. 100% of the things they complained about were laid out in the Westgate website, contract and teacher's handbook.
Frankly, I thought it was childish, someone is going to complain because Westgate is handling a situation exactly as they said they would? The clarity of Westgates policies and a knowledge that I could expect Westgate to follow through is one thing I list as a positive of Westgate. You have to read and understand what you are signing up for to have a chance at enjoying working with Westgate.
I still think you can take the flight as one-way. If you don't want to burn bridges with Westgate, when they send out the email at the end of the contract to confirm flight itinerary, tell them they can cancel the return flight at that time. They are not going to MAKE you get on the plane. If you get lost, join a cult, get kidnapped in SE Asia or what have you, they can always fall back on having supplied you with a flight home in the first place.
As for the OP, I was able to work out what he wants to accomplish and I would give him the information, but he has not been around since his OP. |
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Trinley
Joined: 29 Apr 2010
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:49 am Post subject: |
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| mdoor wrote: |
As for the OP, I was able to work out what he wants to accomplish and I would give him the information, but he has not been around since his OP. |
I'm around -- just had to sort it out for myself I guess. Fortunately it seems to have worked out for me since Westgate asked me to book the ticket myself. So if I change the outbound flight, I don't see how they'd know.
Given the way the policy is stated, we can take the flight in and get half reimbursement in the first month's salary, but if we change anything later (on flights booked through their agent), we have to return the half we were given in the first month and forfeit the half we get when leaving, so in the end we just pay out of pocket entirely. That's what makes it inconvenient, because as someone mentioned before, many ESLers lead a nomadic life, going from one country to another for work.
I'm not complaining -- just trying to sort it out so I don't lose money. |
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mdoor
Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Trinley wrote: |
| mdoor wrote: |
As for the OP, I was able to work out what he wants to accomplish and I would give him the information, but he has not been around since his OP. |
I'm around -- just had to sort it out for myself I guess. Fortunately it seems to have worked out for me since Westgate asked me to book the ticket myself. So if I change the outbound flight, I don't see how they'd know.
Given the way the policy is stated, we can take the flight in and get half reimbursement in the first month's salary, but if we change anything later (on flights booked through their agent), we have to return the half we were given in the first month and forfeit the half we get when leaving, so in the end we just pay out of pocket entirely. That's what makes it inconvenient, because as someone mentioned before, many ESLers lead a nomadic life, going from one country to another for work.
I'm not complaining -- just trying to sort it out so I don't lose money. |
Yeah, that is how it worked for me, I just submitted the receipts as I noted earlier in this thread and then traveled as I needed using my own altered itinerary.
I did this for my first Westgate contract and I assume it was no problem as I was welcomed back by Westgate for my second contract, I also did it under my second contract and caused no problem for my reimbursement.
My only inconvenience was when my changed flight arrived a couple of hours earlier in Tokyo than my original scheduled flight. It just meant I had to wait at the airport longer to match my intake / ground transportation arrangements made by Westgate. |
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