I have great attendance but it might be time to start using some of those sick hours. I'm really getting tired of hearing the same excuses. I'm also surprised they don't put drop requests in open time before they dish out denials. Then staffing is ruled out as the reason to deny. Too much work for them maybe? Or maybe too cheap?

 

I am. Tried twice today for 2 different same day swaps and both were promptly denied. And then denied again and again as I resubmitted.... Getting pretty sick of the no wiggle room. It's like my bid is set in stone or something

 

Why would they approve a drop and make it available to someone else at 150% pay to pick it up? Never going to happen.

 

I'm thinking more about swaps, man. For example, if I swap a 3 day for another 3 day that's in open time (same days or not), the financial cost is the same for them. But I understand this might be more busy work for them..

 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just not fly the Phl-Ewr leg on account of it being too much "busy work" ?

Feel your pain man.

 

Guess you should have said swaps instead of drops initially, man. Regardless that opens up a whole new world of issues, they can't put something into open time if it's not actually open.

 

Oops, I did say that... To me that sounds like an inefficient (or incapable) system, not as a practice that would cost the company more money (in the case of swaps). I don't see why you couldn't put out a potentially open trip that would instantly approve a swap once it's picked up, as long as the credit is near the same. It could work great for both sides as long as everything is covered.

 

I think there are too many variables involved and there is not a single airline out there does it that way.

 

Wishful thinking aside, you're probably right. Still the subtraction of some of the human (and company) element from the scheduling process would probably benefit both sides, if the correct software was put in place. And more open time would mean that their precious "reserve coverage" would be maintained, along with fewer junior mans for us. Delaying flights and scrambling for last-minute junior mans doesn't seem like the right answer to me.

If cost truly is one of their reasons to deny a drop/add open time, why is that never in the comments for the denial? How do you get instantly denied a drop/swap that's a month away? And with 20+ reserves available that day?

At least a more automated system would be more consistent, reliable, and not deny changes because it's not in a good mood. It would have set parameters that are more or less known to everyone. Then the humans can focus on how to properly list crew members for deadheads so they don't miss their flights home

 

PHL-EWR is no more busy than anything else we do... take off, have a nice leisurely tour of Joisey at 7000', look for Tony Soprano's home, fly over TEB and the stadium, land 22L and roll right into the gate

Now, getting to the hotel if you have the EWR overnight, THATS busy work.