I didn't give it much thought, and certainly wasn't motivated to contribute keystrokes to the subject. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing I need to know about Sick is contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. If there's anything in there about average sicktime usage or calling in sick within 4 hours of showtime, I missed it.

I only recently learned about the policy of questioning pilots who call in sick with less than four hours to show time when I did it myself. I received a notification in VIPS to contact my ACP (more than a week after the event, by the way). I was operating a trip through one of our hubs, so I diligently called, thinking it was something serious. No, he was just checking up on me for calling in sick. While he didn't directly ask me why I did it, I could tell he wanted me to explain what happened. I offered no explanation. He said that when we call in with less than 4 hours to show time, they have to contact us to find out what's going on, if something's wrong, if there's something they can help with. HA. Was I OK? (I should hope so, I'd flown five legs already. )

I told him that when I determined I was not fit to fly, I called in sick. Period.


And that's about all I have to say about his e-mail, too. When I determine that I am not fit to fly (refrain from the obvious jokes, folks ), I'll call in sick. Period.



My status is not determined by the clock, or by anybody's average. It's determined by my body, and my personal assessment of it.


Your mileage may vary...





- The truth only hurts if it should -