Originally Posted by
onetime
Which part do I misunderstand? Like you, I'm not picking up any DPs, but don't confuse that with the process working. As someone mentioned, we've had very few DPs over the last couple years, yet trips "seem" to be getting worse. Like many other things, the company finds a way around to get what they want.
You may remember a few years back there was an MD-11 DP in MEM or ANC, that was not picked up (assigned to reserves) for 3 months, after which time the company said that the pairing was needed for system function, our "united" union said OK.
It is what we have right now and like many other things we have right now, it needs to be fixed in our favor.
You may be thinking of the blue in bold below about trips not flown. They don't have to be DPs.
F. Final Resolution of Scheduling Disputes: SIG Neutral Track
If the Association SIG members elect to pursue the SIG neutral track, the following procedure shall apply.
1. Upon written request by the chairman of the SIG, the SCP shall convene a Scheduling Dispute Board. The board shall be composed of the SCP, the MEC Chairman, one Company SIG rep and one Association SIG representative.
a. The board shall meet within 5 calendar days to review appropriate data, including the flying history of the disputed pairing(s), at issue and discuss reasonable options on how the disputed pairing can be reconfigured in light of the operational requirements. Both sides shall use their best efforts to resolve the problem.
b. If the disputed pairing can be reconstructed, rebuilt or combined into another pairing so that the overall cost of the pairing is the same or essentially the same as prior to the reconstruction and the change does not compromise system form or reliability, then the pairing shall be changed accordingly.
c. Additionally, if on a recurring basis, a pairing, disputed or not, appears in open time and is routinely avoided by pilots trip trading or eligible for make-up, OTP, etc., and therefore must be assigned to a reserve pilot, the above procedure shall apply, unless the Association elects to pursue the VP/MEC Chairman track instead.
Decision comes down unilaterally from the VP of flight ops on a DP when there is no solution. See red above and blue below.
G. Final Resolution of Scheduling Disputes: VP/MEC Chairman Track
The MEC Chairman may elect to notify the Vice President, Flight Operations that he is invoking the VP/MEC Chairman track regarding a particular SIG dispute. The notification shall be in writing and shall state the unresolved concerns/problems and the Association’s position. Upon receipt, the Vice President, Flight Operations shall promptly have the stated unresolved concerns/problems investigated, including a review of the process undertaken thus far regarding the dispute. After at least one bid period of flying data is gathered on the disputed pairing, the Vice President, Flight Operations shall meet with the MEC Chairman at a mutually acceptable date and time to review the results of the investigation and discuss options for dealing with the unresolved concerns/problems. Following the meeting, the Vice President, Flight Operations shall advise the MEC Chairman in writing of what actions, if any, the Company shall take to address the presented concerns.