Originally Posted by
higney85
We are working on it- this just came out yesterday and the official policy isn't even out yet. Mgmt is in for a rude awakening. Last time they blamed pilots for unplanned absences the rates of absence went through the roof, hence this policy coming out. I cannot fathom why mgmt would start this with spirit getting a TA after a strike, a week before the nmb, pilots about to all get horrible July lines with 90+ hours, and morale in the gutter. There will be communication to all pilots shortly- have to get all the ducks in a row first.
The company obviously didn't think about the fact that 1 sick pilot remaining at work will get many sick. The pilots that now need doctors notes will have hefty bills for the company to pay (even with our insurance as we as self insured). So now we have a pilot calling in sick AND costing the company $500+ for a note because of a cold and the company complains about insurance costs.
I see major FAA Regualtory issues and possible HIPPA law violations if this policy is put into effect.
If you are sick, do not fly. Simple as that.
Anyone who calls in sick should go to an urgent/immeadiate care facility. They charge emergency room rates and a basic bood workup/evaluation is about 1K. A couple of years ago, I went and was there 4 hours and got an eval/blood profile and chest x-ray for the congestion I was having (they were concerned about possible pnuemonia). They gave me an IV as a precaution for dehydration and it turned out I had a common URI (Upper Resperatory Infection).
Tab was over $4200 and that was 2 years ago.
DON'T let them claim they'll pay the deductable on your health care and request/demand you can bill it as a claim as that lowers your lifetime maximum. It's THEIR request............THEY pay IN FULL (not lower negotiated health provider rates). There's no reason why every sick call cannot cost a minimum of $1500 to the company. Should anyone live near Rochester, MN might I suggest a vist to the Mayo clinic. Also, it might be a good idea to officially (and publicly) proclaim the pilot group to be flying "under duress" and that they cannot guarantee their fitness under current threat and pressure from management.
Get tough with this unsafe draconian policy.