Originally Posted by
Normy!
I think this is a good thread. I really don't completely understand the DP process....anyone care to fill me in on the basics of disputed pairings? Do we have these in the back seat?
N
There is an excellent one-page article on the ALPA FedEx MEC Website that explains the Disputed Pairing. You should be careful when you read it -- some folks who were flying Disputed Pairings were offended to find a copy of the article in their trip folder and they cried.
Here's a link:
Disputed Pairings Explained
(Of course, you'll have to log on to the website with your ALPA number and password. If you don't know how to do that, we can work on that, too.)
Here's the article:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THE PSIT “DISPUTES” A PAIRING?
The PSIT takes the issue of pairing disputes very seriously. Pairings are not disputed because the PSIT considers them to be merely “inconvenient.” A pairing will be disputed when identified by the FEDEX MEC as having been constructed with unsafe, onerous, or otherwise objectionable flying. The contractual procedures and handling of pairing disputes is outlined in the SIG letter of agreement in your Contract. An excerpt from the side letter: “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.” The “above procedure” referenced by the excerpt, would refer the disputed pairing to the Scheduling Dispute Board for resolution.
Disputed pairings should not be available in any bidpack lines and should not be assigned to any Secondary lines without a specific request, by pairing number, from the crewmember in the 36-hour request. Regarding those disputed pairings which the Company does not withhold from the bidpack-it is anticipated that, when the Company places any pairing that the FEDEX MEC believes is disputable on a secondary line, it is grievable under the Contract.
As a reminder, once open time is released, you can then get one of these disputed pairings by:o Voluntary: Specifically requesting a disputed pairing (by number) on a secondary or custom line.
o Voluntary: Putting “volunteer for general trips” or “general make-up” in as a request and then being assigned a disputed pairing in open time.
o Voluntary: Requesting a trip trade into a disputed pairing.
o Voluntary: Accepting VLT/DRF into a disputed pairing.
o Involuntary: Reserve-an option the Company always retains for the operation of any legally-constructed pairing. This assignment is involuntary and may not be turned down.
One more thing-adding deadheads to a disputed pairing and making it available to another domicile is a clever fix to a predicament from a crew scheduling point of view, but it may not contain a solution to what made the pairing disputable in the first place. Please compare x-pairings to the original disputed pairing list to see if the pairing still contains the unsafe, onerous, or otherwise objectionable flying.
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