Originally Posted by ilinipilot

Hi
Their response was of interest and helping me find the answers and I was impressed. I think BC was happy with my question and really helped me find an answer by using his phone to contact HK. My worry about the formula was the fact that it looks good and helps with staffing but its just step one of a two step solution. If the staffing formula calls for the fact they need more people then what do you do? That was my honest question to the both of them because it seems good on the surface but without a trigger or enforcement mechanism its hard to see how it helps us outside of pointing out a problem.

Another point I raised to HK was: OK so the staffing formula calls for more people (he agrees and the company puts out a bid). That does not solve the problem because that is not an immediate solution. If we get into an understaffed situation ie the M88. Lets say in May 2013 the one year look back says yes our TLV was too high we need more people. OK the company puts out a bid in May2013 that does not correct the problem. So now the M88 drivers are stuck again with a crappy summer of lots of flying and the relief comes in SEPT with more people and more lines.

My beef with the staffing formula all along has been its a good idea on paper but it falls short of accomplishing what it was designed to do.
I will admit I do not know what can be done outside of tying enforcment mechanisms to it. IE if the TLV is exceeded all bases with higher TLV are paid 5 hours above ALV something like that. This is a direction I would like to see our MEC/LEC pursue in the future penalties within the contract for lack of compliance so their becomes a cost to any noncompliance.
Thanks