I have a friend at Delta who did this. ATL based, bid NYC for a brief period to time and then took a year off to have a kid and got half pay via all the various leaves and bid back to ATL when time was up. I didn’t track all the ins and outs but it sounded like a great deal.

 

1st yes, people do this.

2nd, this not a “whole paid year off”. NY state pays you ~$13k. The company does NOT pay you for trips dropped or blocked rsv days. People do a variety of things including:

-break up reserve stretches with individual days to lessen exposure to long trips.
-drop “bad” trips so they can freely pickup turns, “good trips”, or premium. Out of base open time pickup is possible.

you can stretch either for a full year, but it’s not a money maker by any stretch. It does make you infinitely flexible while dealing with childcare, doctor appts, sick babies, etc

 

I believe you have to work 6 months being NY based. It’s not as easy as transfer next month, have a baby, then go back to your previous base.

https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/employees

 

APA also told me that if you use FMLA first and then use the contractual 2 week paternity leave,
you get 14 weeks total. If you start with paternity leave you only get 12.

 

Thanks for the information. Glad it’s not prohibited to transfer bases and take advantage of different state benefits, but clearly some research will be necessary to determine the exact steps and benefits.

 

pretty sure a “time in base” requirement does not exist. Just have to be actually in it when you start the process. Time in the company is all that matters

 

From what I read anyone who’s had a kid in last 12 months can xfer in and take advantage if they haven’t already used FMLA.

Doesn't actually say the child has to be born while based in NY. Reads as though as long as the birth was <year prior to bonding leave paper work.

 

Company leave is 2 weeks at vacation pay with certain blackout dates. On top of that there is Gov. Paternity leave which varies quite a bit from state to state so look into which base you plan to be at (I know NY and CA have the longest leaves but I'd advise against commuting just for a leave).

Beyond this though look closely at eligibility. I know the company one only applies after you've completed a full year on property. States vary but you need to have worked for a certain period before it kicks in.

In my own experience and the experiences of guys I talk to AA is incredible about giving you time off for family stuff. I wouldn't worry about needing to take off time Beyond what you are explicitly entitled to, just work with the flight office. That being said it will be unpaid so once again look into your eligibility and budget accordingly.

 

Look at become elegible section…It says you have to be employed and work in Ny for 6 months.

I’m just passing information, the best way to check is to ask the CPO in NY.

 

I’d ask the APA Paternity/Maternity folks way before I asked the NYC CPO.