Originally Posted by
pinseeker
Just playing devils advocate here, but the CBA states in section 8.C.1.a that a pilot must let the company know 60 hours prior to the start of a trip of their intentions to deviate. So, how do we do that? We go on VIPS and check the appropriate boxes in the deviation section.
My guess is that the company would argue that the only way they keep track of which segments are deviated is by using the deviation section in VIPS. They would probably argue that once you deviate, you can't un-deviate according to the contract, so if you checked the boxes stating that you were going to deviate on both legs, you can't decide later that you want to undo that deviation. The company would probably also argue that they can't determine the actual intent of the pilot using this system, but only what the pilot has indicated they will do based on their selections in the deviation window.
Again, just playing devils advocate here. My guess is we would lose any grievance on this. Just look at our past track record. I think the best course of action would be to try to educate everyone on how to deviate if you intend to take the final company scheduled leg of a deadhead.
Maybe having the union put out some guidance on how to properly do a partial deviation is in order. I know I had questions the first time I did it and I usually get questions when I tell a captain that is what I have done when we meet for the second leg. Also, I have had people not even know that was an option to them, let alone with how to accomplish it and when to check in.
I haven't had an issue yet, so I can't speak to the CRS aspect of when things go sideways.