Originally Posted by dickwhitman

Hey guys. Just giving some input as a Spirit guy less than a year on property. Keep in mind everything I’m saying applies to FLL.

The drop to zero here is awesome. During the week the grid is green 95% of the time. The weekends generally are red BUT they hover within 1-2 net reserves of going green. The second they do someone drops so it’s a game of who does it more quickly. Per our CBA, the grid has to start at 75% green. We do not have “black” when net reserves are equal. It’s green or red. We do have IOT drops that happen first based on seniority and I can generally get 1-2 weekends dropped with crap seniority. The drop system after that is all based on the grid and first come first serve.

As a junior guy I get the most garbage trips when my line is awarded. 3-4 days (my opposite preference), red eyes, back to back stacks, etc.

Every month I’ve been here as a line holder I’ve been able to drop my schedule and rebuild. As a line holder I haven’t worked one weekend and was able to rebuild my schedule consisting of solely day trips and two days. Also didn’t work thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years. Was able to front load my schedule and leave the back of my month off for vacation without using any vacation time. Yes, the trips in open time get more slim/crappier as the month progresses but having the option to take that risk is more than worth it. If I really need/want the time off, I’m fine with dropping and keeping an eye on FLICA alerts to work trips that fit around my parameters instead of flying the garbage my seniority can hold.

My close buddies have been able to do the same. It’s not an anomaly and a lot of guys here use it all the time. I generally work Mon - Thurs and leave the weekend open for premium flying if I’m around/not doing anything.

Full disclaimer not all of our bases have the same “overall green grid” as FLL. I would imagine that in the combined company the bigger bases would benefit the most. That being said, the drop ability is a huge QOL booster for FO and Captain line holders who are not super senior in base.

Dropping to zero does not mean “not working” the whole month. It means having the flexibility to drop to zero periodically and hedge against future open time trips, trade board trips, or just plain “I’d rather not work than work that garbage trip”.

From everyone that I fly with, the drop to zero is something that most of us are willing to strike over. It really is that good. Work when you want to work. Drop certain trips when you get some premium flying. Want to go on vacation for three weeks? Just drop your trips. Our main concern is that the B6 side wont comprehend the value of it not having seen it in action first hand before it gets bargained away. It was the first item that the company wanted to try to negotiate away during our TA talks.

Looking forward to merging with you guys. Just want to make sure the drop provision gets an accurate portrayal during these upcoming TPA and JCBA negotiations because it’s a big deal for us here. I hope our union puts together good data to backup what I’m saying and it gets disseminated properly. But yeah, trust me the drop to zero is something you guys definitely want.