I really think that newarkblows hit the nail on the head: Although picking up open time with people on furlough may be emotionally upsetting, the concern is rationally unfounded.

(emphasis added)


As fullflank says,

"Although I would love to think that if no one picks up open time those guys would get recalled but thats hard to imagine when rsv pilots, including myself are only flying 25 hrs/month. " (emphasis added)

The reality of the situation is that even if everyone stopped picking up open time entirely, no furloughees would be recalled. When reserve pilots are only flying 25 hours a month, the company is not anywhere close to being short on pilots. So what if everyone stopped picking up open time? Reserves would then fly 50-60 hours a month...still well below reserve guarantee. One can not make a rational argument that picking up open time is contributing to pilots being on furlough when all evidence points to a properly staffed airline. Granted, if reserve pilots were flying 75, 80, or more hours per month, one could argue that picking up open time is allowing the company to get by with less pilots, but the argument does not hold water when reserves are flying 25 hours per month.

A previous poster mentioned the company building numerous high credit lines. In regard to high credit lines, I do not fault the company or the union. We were hired to fly airplanes and the company is building lines according to our contract. An airline is not in business to employ as many pilots as possible, so I do not fault anyone (the company or the union) for allowing numerous high value lines from being constructed. The company is simply using us efficiently within the bounds of our contract.

If someone choses to pick up open time on his day off, I could care less. Why? Because it makes no difference to people on furlough whether he does or not. I only reserve the right to change my opinion if the facts change (i.e. if reserves are flying over minimum guarantee...more than 72 hrs a month...the company is approaching an understaffed condition and should recall pilots). Until such time, the company is properly staffed and the picking up of open time is of no consequence to anyone. I realize some my disagree with me, but PLEASE respond with LOGIC and FACTS....not emotional arguments (eg: open timers are stabbing fellow pilots in the back).

Finally, for the record, I personally have not picked up open time since we began furloughing, but simply because I do not want to work on my days off.