Originally Posted by
Santos Dumont
You do give timely info, and for the most part it is good info. However, this is not! We DO junior assign. And yes, while the language in the contract says junior "available" you will be marked unavailable for junior assignment (UJR?) on your attendance record if you turn it down. And yes, while they say that it is just a record keeping code, it does not look good on your record. They will hold that against you anytime they can (i.e. if you end up having to do a carpet dance). And how are you going to explain those weird codes in your attendance record to a prospective employer?
The only way to get out of a junior assignment without tainting your attendance record is by not answering your phone on your days off. If they get a hold of you while you are on duty, and they want to extend you on the back end of your trip, you are pretty much stuck with it. If you are an otherwise good employee, you might get away with one turn down, but do it repeatedly and you will find your self in the blacklist of a lot of people very quickly.
That’s not really accurate. It’s four easy words: “Sorry, I’m not available.” You can even dress it up as “I’d love to but my wife would kill me,” etc. Or don’t answer your phone (easiest option). ACARS is also not an official means of notification, but it doesn’t hurt to tell them the same thing over it.
Even when you pick up and talk to them, that code is rarely applied. When it is, it’s 100% meaningless. And if it really bothers you, go talk to your CP to have it removed.
Any further problems, talk with the union.