Originally Posted by
Poppachubby
In a small way you make a point about if their calling standing avail., that they're close to "bail out" point. I'm just not viewing it that way. I look at It more so like when you "swap". I'm only trying to get back to line value (which many times doesn't even happen). For me, I never even considered being on the list until a great trip opened up, yet it just fell inside the 48 hours so wouldn't allow me to pick up. called scheduling and they said I could have it, yet my name had to be on the list to do so. I guess the big question is when are we helping them. Isn't it helping them if we pick up a trip a week in advance? still taking flying off the books.
All I can say is I'm not in the realms of being a choker. I'm fairly senior and they still made it to me twice this last week for JA (which I never returned calls for). But one thing is certain.......its way over the top to throw into the likes of a scab.
2 things can be true:
1)Picking up DOT a week out clearly helps the company; flights are covered without paying a premium, or having to staff the company appropriately.
2)Being on the Standing Avail list to get that "sweet" trip inside of 2 days helps the company. They don't have to burn a reserve or pay 200% premium to another pilot to cover.
Burning reserves=
less reserves available=
more 200% calls=
less pilots to take JRMS=
******CANCELED FLIGHTS or more staffing/hiring******
(our strongest leverage)
I do not think there is any doubt that the standing avail list helps the company. How could they not want to have a list of pilots willing to cover trips, that may result in a cancelation, and they only have to pay a 1.5 hour day premium? Have you seen how many FOs are on the Standing Avail list for March? First year guys on there willing to come in, costing the company only $57 extra per day to have them save the day. Thats less than a carry on bag fee at the counter.