TWG 09-10

Short Call

After the awarding/assigning of next-day open time, the crew scheduler decides how many short all periods he will need the following day and what time coverage is needed. The crew scheduler then takes the remaining unassigned pilots and awards short call taking into account any yellow slips for short call which have been submitted. There is no contractual provision which requires this be done by seniority order, RAW score or any other method.

A pilot on short call is required to be within the general area of his base and promptly available for trip coverage. Since each base has its own travel issues (traffic, weather, etc.), promptly available is not defined in terms of time or distance, but is based upon normal circumstances that can be expected throughout the day or night for that base.

Note: For NYC-based pilots, short call availability may be measured from the pilot’s closest coterminal (EWR, LGA, JFK), without regard to the actual co-terminal to which he is required to report. For LAX-based pilots, short call availability is measured from LAX. (Reminder: LAX is a co-terminal with BUR/LGB/ONT/SNA)

A pilot commuting to short call may inform Crew Scheduling at the time he is notified of his conversion to short call that he will not be contactable during the first two hours of his short call period. If he does so, he must be able to report for a rotation no later than two hours after the start of his short call.

Immediately upon completing a short call period, a reserve pilot reverts to long call status. There is no automatic or routinely required rest following a short call period.