Originally Posted by
Bill Lumberg
You mean like the ratio that grows for mainline vs DCI? Oh, but you think that will be traded away too....
Here you go:
Q2 Won’t the increased max reserve (as high as 99 hours if the ALV is 84) mean that every reserve pilot will fly more, reducing the need for as many pilots?
A2 This is a common misperception, but the answer is no. The increase to max reserve resolves the situation in a category with long, high time trips in which a reserve pilot, for example, carries in 30 hours for the month. He cannot be assigned even a single rotation without taking him above the ALV, which is currently max reserve
If that was the intent they it needs to be spelled out. As a result the other categories that are not subject to these trips will be on the hook for all of that time two, plus six/seven SC's. That makes for a long month with layered SC's and being on the hook for a trip that would logically go to a WS or GS for those last few hrs to get you over guarantee. Again, its not flying it but being on the hook for it.
The contractual staffing formula adjusts to reserve duty periods worked and reserve plus premium hours flown. The formula creates a reserve pilot average of 60 hours and self-corrects to that number. If reserve and premium hours flown grow, then the staffing formula adjusts up proportionally, driving a requirement for more pilots. Regardless of max reserve, the staffing formula will not allow reserve pilots to average above 60 hours over time. Put another way, the more reserve pilots fly, the more reserve pilots are required, which will in turn reduce the average flown by reserves.
Again its being on the hook for it, not flying it. It also allows the flex up to be covered by winter staffing not the other way around.
Q3 The TA has a provision that in a bid period where the number of reserve lines is projected to be at least 20% of the number of pilots, reserve pilots will receive an additional day off. Are there any categories currently that have 20% reserve staffing?
A3 We do currently have a number of categories with more than 20% reserves, especially wide-body categories in the winter.
Again, today not going forward with all of those retirements that you post combined with a growth trend.
Q4 Why did we increase ALV? Aren’t we productive enough?
A4 The increase in ALV is not designed to significantly increase the amount of flying that a pilot does throughout the year. The average pilot will be assigned no more than 30-60 minutes more flying per month as a result of this change. Rather, it allows the Company to better manage its staffing levels throughout the peaks and valleys of the yearly network schedule. Also, rather than having junior regular line holders fall off onto reserve in the winter, the change will result in a more consistent cutoff between regular and reserve lines throughout the year
What does that mean? Concession? 30-60 mins per pilot adds up and reduces staffing. If you take 45 mins on avg per pilot per month, its 105 less pilots on this change alone. (7875 block hrs per month that we will now cover with existing staffing)