Originally Posted by
damnyourabbit
I would say yes. Since a GFB is not allowed to be triggered solely based on frequency or duration of occurrences, in practice this meant CPOs were using them when people were calling out sick next to vacation days, APDs, holidays, etc. These instances often happen to be the most innopportune time to try to get a sick note. Say, on a vacation in a remote/foreign area, maybe with spotty or zero wifi or over the holidays when places are closed. Admittedly, this MOU radically improves some of the logistical issues with GFB, but for extensive travellers like myself who make full use of the flight benefits, I've been in many sick situations where I was praying a GFB wouldn't happen and I can see that still being the case now. And if this example is too niche, I will posit that the biggest issue of all is just being hassled to get one while ill. It's the last thing I'd want to be doing while sick. Third, CPOs were using GFBs at different rates. It is well known (or at least was) that if you are a NYC based pilot the likelihood of getting a GFB was higher, and the implication was that the more junior and probationary folk of our ranks were going to be easy targets of harassment. I don't think this is right. And regarding just the regular 120hr verification, a lot of my points above still stand, although to a lesser degree.
They have to notify you within 3 days of the start of the sick occurrence, so unless you called in sick for a day trip, then the next day hopped on a plane to the Amazon jungle, you're probably fine. I can't remember but I think I had 10-14 days to get the note in. If not, I just wouldn't get paid for the sick occurrence.
With so many online options, it's just not that hard to get a note. My Dr scheduled me within a day for a telehealth visit over the holiday season. Is it a pain and a bit ridiculous, yes, but worth switching to an accumulation model over, absolutely not. Not for something that you MAY have to do a few times in a 30-40 year career. Some seem to be making the GFB a much bigger boogeyman than reality.
As far as the standard sick lookback requirements, if you're out enough to trigger that, you're likely already going to the Dr. In that case, a note isn't hard to get. Half the time the Dr asks if I need a work note before I even ask.
I say all this as someone who used to be adamantly against the note idea. But the more I see other models, the less it bothers me. When you have the ability to call in sick, potentially up to 150 hours without a note, or up to 4 months of the year, I just don't see it as a bridge too far to get a note. Would it be great if they went away, sure. But I can't see blowing capital on it when it's such a rare occurrence in the grand scheme of things.