UPA Section 8-D Freezes Explanation
UPA Section 8-D Freezes Explanation
The following report is from the System Schedule Committee's Manpower Subcommittee
The SSC has observed a number of pilots bidding for Vacancies that could inadvertently result in their incurring an 8-D-2 Bidding Freeze (hard freeze). Previous Company explanations of Section 8-D Freezes have been incomplete so we find it necessary to explain this section of the contract more fully.
There are 3 types of freezes in the UPA, 8-D-1 Equipment Training Freeze,8-D-2 Bidding Freeze and 8-D-3 New Equipment Type Freeze (not to be confused with a New Category or Base, New Equipment Type means a new aircraft like if the A350, A380 or E-190 were to be introduced to the airline.)
This article will focuses on the two main types of freezes, 8-D-1 Equipment Training Freeze and8-D-2 Bidding Freeze.
These two types of freezes are based on the use of Equipment Band (freeze bands). These bands are made specifically for Freezes and are not related to pay bands.
The Equipment Bands are as follows:
1) 321/320/319FO, 737FO
2) 767/757FO
3) 747FO, 777FO, 787FO, 350FO
4) 321/320/319CA, 737CA
5) 767/757CA
6) 747CA, 777CA, 787CA, 350CA
8-D-1 Equipment Training Freeze
This freeze occurs when you start training from a Vacancy Bid award that involves moving UP in Equipment Bands from a lower numbered band to a higher numbered band (e.g. 737 FO to 767/757 FO). It also applies when you are recalled from Furlough and for your initial assignment as a New Hire.
When on an Equipment Training Freeze you will always be allowed to bid to a higher numbered freeze band, lateral (same equipment, different base) or to bid to a new Category (e.g. DCA 737). The thinking here is you should not be penalized for doing what comes natural to pilots (moving up in pay) or from just lateralling to another Base on the same Equipment as a lateral does not require any training.
This type of freeze always begins the first day you start training, including Indoc or Redoc training if necessary. If the total number of training days is 13 or more the freeze is 24 months, if the number of training days is less than 13 the freeze is 12 months. There is no freeze at all if training is not required.
8-D-2 Bidding Freeze
This freeze occurswhen on you bid down from a higher numbered band to a lower numbered band (e.g. 767/757 FO to 737 FO) or sideways within freeze bands (e.g. 737 FO to 320 FO (or vice-versa) or 320 CAP to 737 CAP (or vice-versa)).
A Bidding Freeze is a “hard” freeze that blocks almost all movement. The only exceptions are bids up to Captain on the same equipment. A bid from 737 FO to 737 CAP would be allowed for a pilot on a Bidding Freeze however a bid from 737 FO to 320 CAP, 767 CAP, 777 CAP etc. would not be allowed. Lateral bids and bids to a new Base (note, that’s a new Base, like if the company opened a base in MSP, not a new Category like DCA 737, are also allowed.
This type of freeze always begin the first day a Pilot starts training or, if training is not required, on the date of his Activation, and lasts 24 months.
In Addition:
Lateral Bids (same Equipment, different Base) are always allowed and don’t incur a freeze.
In all cases of allowable movement, there is no compounding of freezes. The old freeze ends and the new freeze takes its place.
Under 8-D-1-e a New Category (e.g. DCA 737, SFO 756, and ORD 756) and for 8-D-2-c a New Base (example MSP 737 or LAS 320) are considered “New” for all Vacancies with effect dates within 6 months of the effective date of the first vacancy bid in that New Category or Base. You still will incur a freeze if required under the associated paragraph.
Freezes that transitioned from old legacy contracts to the UPA maintain the length of your Freeze but the freeze itself becomes an 8-D-1 Equipment Training Freeze.
If you are on a Bidding Freeze you cannot get out of it by bidding to a New Category. However, if you have no freeze or have a Training freeze already and bid down into a New Category you would incur a Bidding Freeze beginning on the first day of training for your new position.
For example: if you are a 777 FO still on a Training Freeze and you bid to SFO 756 FO you will incur a Bidding Freeze. You will be unable to bid anything but 756 CA for 24 months.
The SSC has asked the company to develop a report that clearly displays each Pilot’s freeze, how it was incurred and when it expires. This item remains on IT’s “To Do” list.
Please see all contract references below:
8-D-1 Equipment Training Freeze
8-D-1-a When a Pilot enters training for a vacancy award, he may be ineligible to be awarded another vacancy for twenty-four (24) months if the number of training days (excluding days off) for the training he has entered is thirteen (13) days or greater, or for twelve (12) months if the training he has entered is less than thirteen (13) days. There shall be no restriction on his eligibility to be awarded another vacancy if training is not required.
8-D-1-b An Equipment training freeze shall also apply to a Pilot who requires training upon being hired as a Pilot or upon being recalled from furlough.
8-D-1-c An Equipment training freeze shall begin the first day a Pilot starts training, and shall apply to any vacancy bulletin whose closing date falls within the duration of the freeze.
8-D-1-d An Equipment training freeze shall not restrict a Pilot in a lower-numbered Equipment/pay band from being awarded a vacancy in a higher-numbered Equipment/pay band, pursuant to the bands described below:
1) 321/320/319FO, 737FO
2) 767/757FO
3) 747FO, 777FO, 787FO, 350FO
4) 321/320/319CA, 737CA
5) 767/757CA
6) 747CA, 777CA, 787CA, 350CA
8-D-1-e An Equipment training freeze shall not restrict a Pilot from bidding to a “new” Category (a Category shall be considered “new” for all vacancies with advertised effective dates within six (6) months of the advertised effective date of the first vacancies bid in that new Category).
8-D-2 Bidding Freeze
8-D-2-a When a Pilot is awarded an assignment through vacancy bidding and such award does not move him from a lower-numbered band to a higher-numbered band in accordance with Section 8-D-1-d, he may be ineligible to be awarded any other vacancy for twenty-four (24) months. However, a Pilot shall be eligible to be awarded a vacancy for a "lateral" award (i.e., change in Base only; present Equipment and Status remain the same) without incurring an additional bidding freeze.
8-D-2-b A bidding freeze shall begin the first day a Pilot starts training or, if training is not required, on the date of his Activation, and shall apply to any vacancy bid whose closing date falls within the duration of the freeze.
8-D-2-c A bidding freeze shall not restrict a Pilot from bidding for a Captain vacancy in his current Equipment type, nor from bidding to a new Base (a Base shall be considered "new" for vacancies with effective dates within six (6) months of the effective date of the first vacancy bulletin for that new Base).
If you have any questions on freezes after reading all of the above, please send a PDR to the SSC Manpower/Staffing box.