What is intriguing about this back and forth is we seem to be stuck on the judgment call of what is sick or not.

that is entirely not the issue for this group. we don't have the numbers....but my guess is the sick leave utilization of the pilot group is not exceptionally out of line with other employees....or employees industry wide.

every aspect of our employment contract that has an associated cost to the company is part of our earned compensation. that includes sick leave. the decision on the use of that 'compensation' is left to the individual employee.

as union members...our primary concern should NOT be the associated cost to management of any discretionary component part of our working agreement....but instead if or not any member is using aspects of the pwa inappropriately to abrogate seniority and disadvantage the earning opportunities of other members. As well as undermine the protections of our collective bargaining agreement.

once upon a time I was in a category where senior pilots utilized the swap with friends to organize an effort to end run seniority as well as the protections of our CB agreement. trip parking had allowed these pilots to raid the open time....and end up flying 100+ hours a month for STRAIGHT TIME.

Preventing this kind of corrosion to the value of the craft is job one for any union. what was truly concerning was the reaction of the scheduling 'guru' (who is now on the NC)....first answer was "that cant happen"....but once provided the tangible evidence...seemed to entirely miss how this practice ran contrary to any collective welfare unions were founded to protect.

I don't care why you call in sick. I don't care how much it is 'costing' the company.

But if you are calling in sick to manipulate your schedule to the (economic/seniority) detriment of other pilots in your category...as a union member...I find the practice despicable.