Just to clear up some misonceptions, There is no check required if hired, you get 24 "PFT" days a year as a SO/FO. "PFT" days are "personal free time" days to be used as you wish ex: sick time, vacation etc... they are worth 3 hrs of pay per day. I have gotten every day off I have requested and that includes Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Averaging 15 to 16 days a month.