Originally Posted by
Cruise
Sure, I get that. However, it does clearly state 5 days. Now as for the interpretation, that's a different story.
So the language is basically states days off should be a minimum of 5; however, it can be no less than 4.
The full 39 page arbitration ruling is
here ; but this might help:
"While the Company's desire to reduce its financial costs in this difficult
economic climate is entirely understandable, its position that it could simply reduce the blocks of days off at its discretion is entirely unsupported by the evidence presented at the hearing. All of the evidence of the parties' intent when agreeing to the “maximum extent possible” phrase was that it should be extremely narrowly interpreted. Economic or financial considerations are not valid motivations for unilaterally reducing the blocks of days off for pilots. The bargaining history between the parties undoubtedly suggests that marketing/operational considerations resulting in line construction problems are the only basis for reducing the minimum number of consecutive days off below 4. To interpret the provisions in any other way would effectively allow the exception to swallow the rule. For that reason, the Board concludes that the grievance is sustained."