This is from the Alaska Airlines Employee Benefit Handbook For Pilots (yes it’s really called that
When do benefits begin?
Basic and optional short-term disability benefits begin on the first day of disability if the disability is due to a non- occupational accident and the fourth day when the disability is due to an illness.
Long-term disability benefits can begin after you have been continuously disabled as defined in the Long-Term Disability Plan for six months. You are not required to exhaust sick leave and vacation during the six-month waiting period. If you are receiving paid time off for more than six months after your date of disability, then long-term disability benefits will not begin until after your paid time off is discontinued.
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It also said that Short Term disability is payable for 26 weeks which is about 6 months, so it seems to me that STD will get you to LTD no problem. No clue where the 230 hours of sick time comes from... I imagine some sick time would be beneficial since you have to get diagnose, do tests, etc
EDIT: Looks like for STD you submit the request and they have 7-10 days to respond but can get an extension for an additional 7-10 days if they need more time to investigate. If denied for STD you can appeal and they have 45 days to reply by letter that they have received the claim, however they can extend that by an additional 30 days to respond if workload permits. They then have 30 days to reevaluate the claim and can extend by 30 days if they need....
I think I see why you would want the ~230 hours sick time