Airline Pilot Central Forums - Calling in sick more than 12 hours out.

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)

- American (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/american/)

- - Calling in sick more than 12 hours out. (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/american/135891-calling-sick-more-than-12-hours-out.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot Deviation (Post 3330920)

Shouldn't have to be said but when you call in sick you should wait to do it less than 12 hours out.

As a new hire, at base indoc, this was outright STATED by a chief pilot.

I gained a lot of respect for that man, (or woman), that day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRS Guitars (Post 3331115)

I stand by my solution of only assigning LC during DOTC. I’ve commuted to LC and SC. For SC I’m there and want to fly (which is another thing I’d like, is the ability for SC to ask to fly). For non commuters, SC are there and ready to fly as well. LC, I could always make it, but occasionally had to drive out to the airport ready to catch the last flight if I was number one in the queue just in case a last minute outside of DOTC popped up. Commute to sit in a crash pad on LC…no ****ing way I’d do that, rather just hold a line at that point.

And it’s not “screw the SC people”. The primary purpose of LC is to fill open trips that pilots haven’t picked up. The primary purpose of SC is last minute stuff like sick calls, time outs, pop up ferry flights, etc.

commuting is a personal choice and I will leave it at that…LC is a 12hr call out, that’s the contract, maybe the rule changes you suggested would be good in the next contract…I do agree that calling out sick in the 15-12 hour range is a d move….SC people are trying not to fly just like LC are so I don’t agree that they alone should cover “sick calls”…I like the LC during DOTC only, accept if a trip pops open that reports after noon the next day, that should be the same LC assigned as now…SC people get burned too, tons of times I’ve gotten a crappy 4day that shows at 1pm or whatever that WAS assigned to a LC pilot who later called in “sick” that morning….if a SC pilot calls in sick after getting a trip they don’t want, that’s usually a call from a chief.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRS Guitars (Post 3331115)

I stand by my solution of only assigning LC during DOTC. I’ve commuted to LC and SC. For SC I’m there and want to fly (which is another thing I’d like, is the ability for SC to ask to fly). For non commuters, SC are there and ready to fly as well. LC, I could always make it, but occasionally had to drive out to the airport ready to catch the last flight if I was number one in the queue just in case a last minute outside of DOTC popped up. Commute to sit in a crash pad on LC…no ****ing way I’d do that, rather just hold a line at that point.

And it’s not “screw the SC people”. The primary purpose of LC is to fill open trips that pilots haven’t picked up. The primary purpose of SC is last minute stuff like sick calls, time outs, pop up ferry flights, etc.

I'd rather "just hold a line" every month, but for many of us (myself included) thats not an option most of the time. As was stated above, commuting is a choice, one that I've made on and off for 17 years of my career. If you commute, and you cant hold a line (or bid reserve on purpose), you signed up for having to be able to cover any assignment you get within the contractual call out times, even if that means sitting in the crash pad on long call.

Why again is LC protected? Note: their are SC people based at home who also don’t appreciate working because someone decides to run the clock down on purpose. A reserve is a reserve, so be prepared to do what you are signed up for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMBFlyer (Post 3331020)

An extra dollar if you tag TW!

https://media0.giphy.com/media/4SQMqhWzUA0Fi/giphy.gif

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimslow (Post 3331134)

Oh, I agree 100%, you need to be able to cover any assignment, and if you choose to commute, that’s on you. But, you and I and the vast majority of the pilots do have a choice in bid status and can easily avoid reserve in that respect, that’s why I said “I’d choose to hold a lone”. Time will change but right now even new hire won’t be on reserve for very long.

I know my stance is unpopular with non commuters, that’s why I like the solution of assignments during DOTC only for LC, or even as someone else mentioned after DOTC no earlier than noon, or I’d take an 18 hour call out, outside of DOTC. These benefit everybody, not just commuters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOGSAT (Post 3331157)

Thats why I’d like to see an option for SC pilots to prefer to fly first (ahead of their group). It’s win/win. Commuter saves on hotels, local stays home.

If I decide to bang in sick, a reserve is gonna have to get used one way or the other. The long calls are working more anyway, and there's a higher likelihood they're a commuter sitting at home. That doesn't mean it'll always be a short call sitting in a crashpad, but if I'm going be burning *someone*, I'm just playing the percentages of which dicking will likely be the least disruptive.

And I say this as guy that lives in base and bids short call if on reserve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot Deviation (Post 3330920)

Shouldn't have to be said but when you call in sick you should wait to do it less than 12 hours out. You really should do it as close to departure time as possible but that's another discussion.

How about calling in sick when you know you’re not going to work. Close to departure… why? That will most definitely screw someone one. We have reserve pilots for a reason, there is no need to RA someone to cover a sick call. Should go to Long Call, Short Call, and finally RA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotPhlying (Post 3331274)

How about calling in sick when you know you’re not going to work.

Not sure that'll work. "Yeah scheduling? I need need to call out sick. No, not the upcoming trip on Thursday - the one at the end of the month. The four day. Yeah, that one - I don't fly four day trips. Thanks!" :D

Although wasn't that pretty much how it was done at America West?