PRS Guitars

First,

I understand that some airlines do not allow pilots to Jumpseat or Non Rev while on Mil Leave. Does anybody know what US Airways policy is on this? Example, 30 days of mil leave, I'll have a ticket for the first and 30th day but would like to Jumpseat/non rev home on weekends.

Second,

How much leave is too much during probation? Ie what would raise an eyebrow during my end of probation review? I'll be taking 6 days a month minimum, but would like to take an occasional 30 days or so to help pay my bills. I don't want to make a bad impression for getting off probation and don't want to screw over other pilots with my actions.

Same questions for American. PM's welcome if you don't want to post on here.

MarineGuardChef

I am also interested in these answers. Great questions.

Hueypilot

Ditto...my unit may be converting to a new airframe and I'm one of two guys in the entire wing that has any experience in the new aircraft.

PurpleTurtle

At USAir...Mil leave of less than 30 days is requested at the Chief Pilot level. Over 30 days is requested at the Company-wide operations level, through Cief Pilot. When I was on probation I took the absolute minimum Mil days I needed to get a good year and meet reserve requirements. While on probation, I always approached my Mil leave as a requirement, not a way to make up for poor employment or to get extra vacation time. After my probation check ride I had no issue of asking for Mil leave to my max personal benefit, for whatever reason, whenever.

One's status is different for leave less or more than 30 days. <30 you are still active on the seniority list and just taking Mil days off...> than 30 and you are placed on Mil leave. Each has its own affects on pay, benefits, duration of probation etc.

Jump seat in cockpit no prob on Mil days off. Last I knew no Jumpseat in cockpit or on OALs while on Mil Leave.

YMMV

Hueypilot

My mil leave wouldn't be for making extra money, it would be to convert our unit. My plan is to take as little as needed to help my unit out while still staying current at the airline. But I may be asked to do 30 days at a time.

full of luv

Check out the law. No restrictions on amount of mil leave short of five yrs. At dal probation is extended day for day after 60 days cumulative mil leave but still go to yr 2 pay at anniversary. I wouldn't feel too bad for mil leave as company won't feel the slightest bad of they need to furlough. It's just business.

full of luv

Js in cockpit on mil leave both short and long term as well.
Btw company should be making up your defined contributions (b plan) plan deposits even when on mil leave. If they aren't they are in violation of federal law. Aa used to have most generous mil leave in biz as they wouldn't even dock pay for reserve days dropped for mil leave to a point.

NTR32

Legally speaking yes you can take as much Mil leave as you want. Practically speaking you'll hurt the people behind us by giving us a less than stellar reputation.

Conventional wisdom is that you do the minimum on probation. A conversion is not a mobilization order (required attendance) and chief pilots know it. It's no secret what is and isn't required when it comes to dealing with the guard/reserves. My unit is converting right now and we have people killing for pay days so I'm sure yours will understand if you drop off the radar on probation. Does taking mil leave really matter? Legally speaking it can't and US Air is pretty good about military leave because most of us don't abuse it.

One other tidbit- if you're coming from a mil only background you need to show up and fly. It's a transition and some of the military guys aren't that great. Personally I'm a guard baby but most of my flying is 121 so I see it from both ends. Big picture...six days a month is a lot I wouldn't push it past that point at all. Probation is only a year long...

Always know the facts:
https://www.osc.gov/userra.htm

bluelion

Can anyone explain what probation is/ how it works? How it ends? What you can get fired for? Ect..

NTR32

Most people don't have what it takes to not survive probation at US Air. I wouldn't worry about it.