Originally Posted by
E6BAV8R
When a pilot retires, that training event would have to happen anyway, no? I just fail to see how a monthly vacancy bid doesn't just allow the company to be more flexible whilst also benefiting pilot quality of life.
And the fact that you can get an awarded bid for a new plane and then get withheld for another year is absolutely absurd. The company either wants flexibility, which is allowed through a monthly bid, or they are just absolutely terrible at planning training. Which, for some odd reason, seems to be an AA specific problem.
A monthly vacancy bid also would fix seniority getting bypassed with new hires, being that new hires are getting base offerings that 2-year pilots can't even get, but APA doesn't care about that either. But dem pay rates, right?
At least you’re paid the higher rate (if applicable) when withheld. My Delta and FedEx buddies say it’s more complicated at those places and you could go a long time before training yet not paid the higher rate. I’m sure the DeltaForce will pounce momentarily to DeltaSplain to us the finer points.
Doesn’t help of you’re going 737 FO-320 FO, of course.
I sent a Sound Off proposing 6 vacancy bids/year, prelim awards posted within 24 hours after bid close, final awards 7 days after bid close (allow people a minute to get their days off requests in, mil leaves, etc), and any seat lock begins on the withhold date if withheld. I’m sure it was filed in the circular bin like my other Sound Offs.