Originally Posted by symbian simian

Council 18 Pilots,



We have all listened to Spirit management for the last six years saying, “We are building a new and great airline together.” We have stayed patient and professional while we saw our peers flying the same planes on the same routes make substantial contractual gains. We hoped each time a work rule was reinterpreted and taken from us, only to be regained through the grievance process, we may see a different side of Spirit management. We are now almost two years into an amendable contract that has seen our pay sink to the bottom of our peer group. It is fair to openly question why Spirit will not recognize the hard work and contributions our pilots have made to the record success of this company. Unfortunately, our answer is simple and bears repeating: pay attention to management’s actions, not their words. Whether it’s the record amount of NCCs, contractual disputes, or constant sick call inquiries, it is readily apparent that those wishing to have their hard work recognized, rewarded, and respected will not find that at Spirit.



Negotiations

By now you likely have read the Negotiating Committee’s e-mail regarding last week’s bargaining. While the update probably came as no surprise, we want to reassure you that management’s tactics will not change our resolve to obtain an industry-standard contract.



Recent Events and Questions

Dropping Reserve Days

Recently, there have been several instances where the company has forced pilots to work multiday trips after they dropped single reserve days in their work block. We ask anyone who encounters this scenario to please contact your rep and file an NCC immediately.



Why is Miami Air doing our flying?

As the MEC e-mail indicated, last week your MEC was notified of the decision to use Miami Air to cover flying for us on April 7–8. It was then was extended to the 9th and 10th. Spirit is doing this pursuant to 1.B.2, blaming the NEOs being out of service and “limited crew resources.” Your MEC leaders and ALPA Legal team are monitoring this to ensure CBA compliance. In the meantime, if you happen to see a Miami Air crew at our gates, please be professional and respectful.



Why do I see reserve pilots on the standing available list?

Section 25.K.4.i provides that no reserve pilot may be placed on the standing available list. Flica is in the process of programming a fix to prevent this. In the meantime, schedulers have been instructed to verify assignments so standing available pilots do not conflict with this part of the CBA. Since we can’t always prevent human error, we kindly ask that, while on reserve, please follow your contract.



I called out sick and now the chief pilot is calling. Why?

We know this is a review for some, but we are hiring a lot and would like to review this recently applied practice. Per 14.F.4, the company can require a physician’s note if they suspect sick time abuse. They are required to cover the cost of the visit for you to obtain this note, including any diagnostic tests or portion thereof requested by management and not covered by insurance.



If a chief pilot contacts you about your sick call but does not ask for a note, such an inquiry is allowed under 19.B, which governs routine inquiries by chief pilots. Remember, if the chief pilot questions your use of sick leave, you are allowed to contact your rep and have him on the call. We highly recommend you do so.



Should I leave Spirit?

We want to emphasize that career decisions are individual decisions and are best made upon careful consideration with your spouse and family. It is unfortunate that our contract dwarfs our industry peers who offer higher pay, retirement, and profit sharing. We know that first officers who recently left Spirit received immediate raises elsewhere, while junior captains only took a pay cut in their first year. You will see a new contract comparison from the Negotiating Committee very soon, and we hope everyone reads the data carefully.




Quitting? Consider Donating Sick Time

Per Section 14.f.6, a pilot may donate no more than 50 percent of his sick-leave credit to another pilot. If you log on to spirit.alpa.org and click on “Time to Give,” you will receive the sick time donation form. Many of our pay day hotlines include the names of pilots recently out on long-term leave that could use our help. When submitting the request, please copy in your chief pilot and status rep to ensure the sick time donation is processed correctly. Recently, one of our own, DTW CA M went out on leave due to a serious illness. Please consider him and the several pilots that need our help.