association kowtowing to the schools

[SMEngmann]

I think in both cases it is absolutely ridiculous. If mileage is going to be paid, it should be paid to each official, or at the very least on a per game basis (as in each crew on each assigned game gets mileage). To force someone to arrive at least a game early or to have to stay at least a game after just to receive mileage is wrong in my opinion. That's extra time away from job/family, and in my opinion, just serves to prevent people from getting into officiating. I travel long distances to work games, and only take mileage as a deduction (don't get paid for it), but only because I have chosen to join another group, since it's my choice, and I have a number of schools and options to choose from, I don't complain. But if the 90 minute drive is the only game in town, I think that the policy is borderline disrespectful to the officials who are making a big personal sacrifice to work the game, and it's unprofessional in that it doesn't serve the game.