Originally Posted by
WhisperJet
I understand that there's a fine line between managing legit absences and cracking down on those who abuse sick leave, but we fly schedules that mess with our sleep cycles, in environments that are loaded with germs, and back and forth across different climates that promote colds. We preflight in the rain, then sit in a cold cockpit breathing recirculated air. We sit next to coughing passengers on deadheads. Many of us have kids who bring crud home from daycare/school and make us sick. We're supposed to be at the top of our physical game every flight yet we can only be sick a few times a year without getting in trouble??
At 5 you get the call at 6 you get placed on absence management at 7 you get a stern talking to at 8 you get placed on double secret probation.
The problem with all this AMS BS is that it precludes the use of common sense. A few years ago I had a severe injury to an elbow. Long story short it took 4 separate surgeries to fix.
Each time I went into surgery I talked to the flight office, they were fully aware. Each time I came back I had to get a medical clearance. Once again the flight office was fully aware. BUT I miss calculated after one of the surgeries and came back early then had to call in sick again. So that made 5 calls in a 12 month period.
The very SAME person from the flight office whom I had been communicating with gave me the dreaded #5 bad boy AMS call. "Hi this is _____________ from the Denver flight office we are just calling to see if everything is okay. We've noticed that you've called in sick 5 times in the last 8 months....I asked if she was on drugs? You know EXACTLY why I've called in sick we have had in depth conversations about it! "It doesn't matter I'm required to call you regarding AMS....."
Freaktards!!!
Moral of the story, don't tell them shizzle about dizzle, if they contact you let your union re deal with them. They are not your buddy, they are not on your side. Your medical issues are none of their business. If you need to call in sick call in sick.