Originally Posted by
FoxHunter
I'm not sure I agree that a bid is required. In the past if a pilot was forced to the back seat because of a medical condition and that condition was resolved he could move up without a bid. If a pilot returns from a LOA there does not have to be a bid. If a Flex or LCA returns to line he/she can go any place without a bid. It will be interesting to see how it is handled by both the Company and ALPA.
As far as the LOA and flex/lca go, they had to have held the set on a previous bid and can only go to the seat that they bid. An lca who could only hold DC10 captain can't go to the MD11 if he chooses. For medical, the contract only states that there is not a seat freeze if someone down bids due to regulatory or medical restrictions. So are you counting on the companies good will? I would think that ALPA would require the company to add it to our CBA which would then be voted on by the membership. The membership would then be asked to help the group with the highest percentage of non-members in the union, S/O's over 60( 27 of them I believe). They don't get a vote and I certainly will not vote to help them. Maybe if those freeloaders would at least get on dues checkoff, I would reconsider.