Originally Posted by
PinnacleFO
I am mentally preparing myself for a really rough period ahead. Junior man calls, extensions, contract violations, anything this company can do to try and get us to go to our union leaders and say just sign it already. Every Pinnacle pilot needs to be sure that all of this does not get to them and affect their performance in the flight deck. If you are getting done with a trip and you are tired and they nail you for an extension, refuse it. If you have already used a refusal it, call in fatigued and fill out a flight safety report. If you are sick, call in sick. If you have to go to a base managers meeting for it, do it. All of this stuff going on is going to stress everyone out but its important that we stay safe and that we fly the contract.
I have a meeting myself next week for telling scheduling that I needed rest beyond the reduced rest or I would call in fatigue. They put the delay on me, I showed when I told them (9 hours after we got off the phone) and I will tell the base mgr that when I go in for a meeting. After reduced rest and 2 very long days of wx, mx, and scheduling changes my CA had already dropped the F bomb 8 hours prior. Do not be intimidated by scheduling. Know the contract and don't be pushed to fly fatigued. If you are fatigued- Drop the F bomb and fill out your flight safety form. Your entire career and life(s) are on the line. Company preaches "never compromise safety", so don't. The high school educated and hardly understandable scheduler can only do 2 things- get the trip on your schedule or mark you NFA. Simply tell them "do what you need to do". Make sure you are legal, make sure you know your rights, and make sure you are safe. By doing that you may have to meet your base mgr, but you won't be getting disciplined for abiding by the FAA, the contract, and your own physiological needs. That being said, this issue should not come up often at all. Many times a simple "let me speak to your supervisor" will clear up contractual issues. They love it when they are told they are wrong and which page to look on!