Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Had a management pilot type on the jumpseat talking about "virtual basing."
He did not have many details, but said we really did not need the CPO infrastructure to have a base these days. Apparently it is getting looked at.
I opposed virtual basing on many occasions as a rep. To me its a staffing issue and a nightmare to get the language written correctly to avoid getting abused by scheduling.
For starters, no virtual basing in an existing domicile. Example - no virtual SLC A320 base.
No virtual basing outside the CONUS. Do you really want to see a virtual base in NRT or AMS? Helping the company is one thing, helping the company by reducing their deadhead penalty time is a huge staffing issue on international. Need to make sure that virtual base is staffed normally under the formula for schedule holders and reserve needs. None of this no reserve cover it on your own crap.
A previous proposal had virtual bases being BID for every month. If you were lucky enough to hold it and a schedule, they wanted you to commute/sign-in in one day early and sit one day of Reserve without pay.
Lots of bad things can happen with virtual basing and some nice lifestyle changes can happen for a small number of pilots.
Personally, I commute a long distance. I don't enjoy it, but its my choice. I'd rather not lose jobs to a poorly written agreement just to have virtual basing.
For those that like the idea, Greg Baden ws always a big supporter of "Satellite Bases."
My response is - Do you support virtual basing if it causes a pilot surplus or creates a reduced number of pilots required in certain categories (like 777A or 765A)?