Originally Posted by
slowplay
I overreacted. Sorry.
No worries
Originally Posted by
slowplay
My post did confuse the issue. There are several comparisons rapped up in my generalizations. I don't have quick access to the data, so I'm working from memory here. First is the averaged total pay hours per pilot which were paid as sick. The total sick pay hours per active pilot declined over 25% pre and post LOA 51. That's the one reflective of changed behavior in management's eyes. Second was the cost. As Check accurately points out, that is affected directly by staffing and scheduling. When staffing is tight (as it was in 2007 and is predicted to be this summer) sick leave uses up reserves quickly. When staffing is fat as during the past year, not so much, and most reserve sick leave coverage is subsumed in the reserve guarantee. On the other hand, even when staffing is fat, the earlier or later a pilot calls in sick triggers white slips, green slips and assignments, resulting in two pilots being paid for the same trip. When there's very little open time to pick up that's how many regular line guys improve their pay. For negotiations, the costing is done on a "normal" staffing model. Also, sick leave affects 4 components of the PBS staffing formula (Section 22.C.) and can result in the need for more pilots per category.
Thanks, I wasn't sure if I was reading your post correctly and was looking for more background information. Statistical analysis is great and is extremely useful in business modeling and costing. However, without the supporting information (or notes) they can be awfully misleading, as I am sure you know.
Originally Posted by
slowplay
Again, sorry for getting so ticked at the "truly analyzed" comment.
Again, don't worry about and I probably should have used a better choice of words. I was not implying that you (or ALPA) just blindly believe in anything that is provided by the company. I didn't know that I was taking that big of a whack at the bee-hive this morning
.
The silly thing is that I really am not that wrapped up in the whole sick leave issue. Pilots need to use it as they see fit and those that abuse the system will have to answer to that at some point. I don't fly if sick and I have been lucky enough to remain healthy (even with 3 little kids at home). Unfortunately for me, I feel like I almost need to be in the hospital on life support for fellow pilots and management to truly believe I am sick. Guess that is just the Catholic guilt.