I've stopped picking them up as well. Doesn't seem like this info is getting out to folks though and some folks are going to screw themselves starting November.

-from the union...

"Reserve Bidding Alert:

New system changes could affect your pay, so please read carefully.

As a reserve, when you have a Short Call (SC) or Field Standby (FSB) assignment that goes unused, the United Pilot Agreement (UPA) section 3-C-1-b explains how your Minimum Pay Guarantee (MPG) may be increased.

In order to understand this UPA section and how unused SC/FSBs increase MPG, you need to read paragraphs 3-C-1-b-1-a and 3-C-1-b-1-b as separate events. This contract language is reviewed below and the full reference is provided at the end of this message.

Paragraph 3-C-1-b-1-a explains that when you pick up or are assigned your first five SCs or FSB assignments that go unused you will get 3 hours of additional MPG bump.

Paragraph 3-C-1-b-1-b allows for an additional hour of MPG bump for every SC or FSB that is assigned and goes unused after the first five that were assigned.

The (b) calculation is separate than the (a) calculation and (b) only applies to assignments that are assigned by the company.

Up until now, due to IT limitations, the company's crew management system wasn't programmed to determine the difference between an assigned or picked up SC/FSB. It was treating all SC/FSBs as if they were assigned. This resulted in extra contractual overpayments to pilots on reserve.

Effective with the November bid period, the crew management system is programmed in compliance with UPA sections 3-C-1-b-1-a and 3-C-1-b-1-b. With this in mind, your pay expectations will change if you have been bidding reserve unaware of the issues outlined above and you routinely increased your MPG through unused SC and FSB assignments.

In November, the company will start calculating the reserve MPG bump in accordance with the UPA. This means, as a reserve, your SC/FSBs will not be treated as if they were all assigned so you may not be eligible for the paragraph (b) MPG increase if you choose to pick up reserve assignments."