Originally Posted by
jungle driver
It's not a sure thing that you will need a doctors note. I believe the language in the contract say "the company may require a doctors note". I know several people that have called out sick more than three times and have never been asked for a note. now if you are calling in over a holiday than I would make sure to have a note ready to go. I know that doesn't really answer your question of what to do if they do ask for a note but I don't know that answer to that one. I would say call in sick and if you get a call from the CP just explain the situation.
The company may require a doctors note for specific reasons only for your first two notes in a year. First, they can ask if they have a reasonable suspicion that sick time abuse is occurring. Second, they can ask if you call in sick on a specifically denoted holiday, a day attached to your vacation, a day a trip trade was denied, or upon being given a junior man assignment. Lastly they can ask when you're starting a medical leave or within 60 days of the anniversary of your medical leave.
That request must be made within 24 hours of your call to crew scheduling. If it is found to be a legitimate sick call, the company must reimburse you for the doctor's visit.
Note that these are for your
first two in a year only. For any absences past two, it is the pilot's responsibility to furnish a doctor's note per the contract. As a practice, they send you a reminder of your responsibility but that's a courtesy and not required.
As to how this applies to calling in sick to care for another person, I do not know though I would guess that it would basically work the same as calling in sick yourself. I would reach out to ALPA though, rather than the forums - that is what they are there for.