All of these horrific deadhead stories are true. However, we've done much less international deadhead recently under DHL than in the past (especially when the B747's were chasing ACMI contracts). SAI is engaged in a different type of flying currently. Most of the 777 pilots start and end in either CVG or LAX. International does still happen occasionally to HKG. I recently had a 3 leg deadhead to HKG in Economy and there is no other way to describe it other than it sucked!

Thankfully more established and powerful pilot groups in the industry have been able to negotiate 100% deadhead pay, Business or better, travel banks, etc that make deadhead at least tolerable. That was a goal when SAI's negotiating team put together our current, crappy CBA. Keep in mind this was over 9 years ago.

The VP of Ops that was on the other side of the negotiations at Southern (Mike H. formerly of Polar) was adamant that he was not going to give away Business Class or Better as he had during negotiations at Polar. We traded that for higher hourly and some work rules. As it was, Jim Neff (SAI owner at the time) canned Mike after the CBA was signed for giving away what he did. We got all we could at the time. Nobody envisioned we'd still be stuck under this dog in 2016.

The company follows the CBA when it comes to deadhead travel. Although we all wish they'd take mercy on us, we can't expect them to follow the CBA in some areas and not others. It is what it is until a new CBA is signed.