Osmosis

I was surprised to find this out, so maybe others will like to know this contract tidbit. I have talked to a few other pilots on the subject, and they were all surprised.

I received zero leveling for vacation I had in the beginning of this month when I showed for the reserve line I received from my VTO. I made some calls to scheduling and was told VTO lines comprised of reserve do not receive vacation leveling. Of course we all know that normal reserve (Or as they define it, reserve line holders) do receive leveling from vacation when it precedes a block of reserve.

Anyway, I looked into the contract for my own clarification and all I found was that this situation is not specifically addressed. I found alot of references that would conclude someone into believing they should be leveled, but no specific reference that a VTO line comprised of reserve would be leveled for vacation.

I took the issue to contract enforcement and addressed the "greyness" of the subject, and my opinion that I should have been leveled. I did include my references from the contract, and the arguement that nowhere in the contract does it distinguish different rules for a VTO line of reserve or a reserve line from a reserve line holder. Using that arguement, I felt that since reserve line rules apply to VTO reserve lines, that leveling for those rules should apply.

Unfortunately contract enforcement disagreed with my references applying and my arguement that reserve line rules apply to VTO reserve lines. Apparently, this has been addressed in previous contract negotiations and has always been the case. As enforcement said, the intent of the contract is that we do not get leveled for vacation if you receive reserve on your VTO... so word to the wise.

Background info:
-I had 3 vacation days at the beginning of the month before my reserve days assigned via a VTO.
-18 hours were deducted from my vacation bank.
-Normal RLG for the month was 85 hours, my RLG became 72 hours.

I hope this info helps someone in the future!

purplepilot

Do we get leveled for flying a normal line trip if it falls before reserve days? My calender says no, but I thought we got leveling for anything we fly.

iarapilot

I found out last week that if you are on reserve, block out on a trip and have it canceled due to a maintenance problem, you get leveled for the value of the pairing. Not to bad.

slaveship

If you are assigned a VTO during a vacation month, you are only supposed to be built a line after they subtract your vacation hours. In essence, what you get is the amount of credit after your vacation. If you bid a reserve line in a vacation month and the reserve line conflicts with the vacation, you then get leveled for your vacation credit after the scheduled vacation week has expired. That is why it might be attractive to bid reserve when on vacation especially if your vacation days are in the early part of the month.

purplepilot

I do have reserve this month and vacation. However, I am currently flying a 4 day trip and start reserve next week. As of now, my leveling for next week when I start reserve doesn't reflect the leveling for the trip I'm on now. Should I get leveling credit for this 4 day trip?

fdx727pilot

If it's a carryover trip, yes you should. I had the same deal last month and got my 5:38 leveling for my one day of carryover. If it's a makeup, vol, or draft trip, then no you won't.

MD11Fr8Dog

Carryover reserve assigned trip, right?

nightfreight

This is a good question.

I believe that if you have a non-reserve carryover trip of any kind that you should get leveled.

cba 4.G.2.b.ii.(c)

fdx727pilot

No, regular line in Aug with 1 day of carryover, reserve line in Sep.

Although, a reserve carryover trip should also get leveled.

Strut

Why would you bid VTO in a vacation month anyway? There's no positive to doing so.