You folks are looking at this from the wrong perspective. I have had a hard enough time dealing with GOs of the ilk that don't like to associate with the unwashed lower ranks and if a fancy fly box can keep him from having the ass before he has to deal with my troops then I stand a better chance of selling him on what I need if he comes off the ramp a happy camper.
True story. I was flying PanAm back to the states for a meeting and was sitting with my headphones on fully absorbed in copying some code tapes. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up to see a two star that was flying back to the states for a different, but related, meeting. He had his little comfy slippers on, was decked out in very casual clothing, and asked me to come up to the upper deck of the 747 so we could talk. We had an engaging conversation concerning some requirements upcoming and it set the tone for a successful follow on mtg in DC. I mean the lad was laid back, not the same demeanor that I had to address when I was in his HQ, and was a truly happy camper. Now if these little comfy fly boxes can acccomplish the same thing for the poor slob that is on the ground waiting for some trussed up turkey then hell it doesn't bother me a bit. Folks, you have to understand the target audience. You are not going to change the Weasley Clarks and Nancy Pelosies of the world but you do have to understand the target audience and play your strenghts against their vanities. Treat a prima donna like a real person and rather than having to eat a little crow once in a while you will wind up eating a whole flock of crows and your troops will suffer the consequences.