And that sentence sums up the ENTIRE mindset of this company. When you realize that absolute control over every aspect of operations is what they covet, at least now you know where they come from. The question is, how do we effectively take advantage of that? Hopefully our new negotiating chair has the answer.:rolleyes:

If you read it that way, it means that it is also the company's OPTION to offer AVA when they buy back vacation in a particular seat.

The may in the first line is there to indicate that the company MAY assign a trip, not that they MAY open AVA.

Again, I realize that the assignment is based on the company's need, but the language says that AVA will be available as an option from Thanksgiving to the end of Dec.

Any other sea-lawyers out there with an opinion?

Thanks.

FJ

How would you feel if they canceled vacations in your seat and didn't offer AVA? Would that be in violation of the contract?

I think most people's impression is that it would.

All that is required is that the trip show between TurkeyDay and the end of the year, OR
they cancel (voluntary or involuntary) vacations.

FJ

I'm with you FJ.

The way it reads indicates we should be able to put in AVA requests. When trips are defined as eligible for AVA per the contract requests should be authorized.

These requests do not have to honored in this or any circumstance. That is the how the word may reads above.

I think it is a computer glitch (intentional programming?) or it has been shut off by someone who does not want those requests to hassle the schedulers when the company is not actually authorizing AVA.

Yes, I am looking at the max open time positions. I think you are thinking of the formula for schedules trying to decide if they will let you drop a trip or R day.

I could be wrong, but I thought that max open positions was the number of folks on reserve.

In either case, there is a lot of open time that day, and I would be willing to take the right trip at 1.5, and it would be nice to have gotten it up to 7 days out instead of waiting until the last minute to see if I could get it.

FJ

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I think we've got them by the 'nads.

They should open it up for all seats until the end of the year.

Exact words, Marsha, exact words.

I also agree - as per the contract, we should be able to put in AVA requests during Thanksgiving through 31 Dec. You're absolutely correct.

however, in practicality, I think Gunter is correct too - if the company has pre-determined they're not going to award any AVA, they may have "turned off" the option so as not to fill up the schedulers' inboxes with what they see as frivolous requests that they're not going to fill anyway - our contractual rights not withstanding.

what did the Contract Enforcement folks say when you asked them?

I agree with FJ.

If you are going to be picking up trips during the peak season it should be at time and a half.

According to the contract language above, they should be offering us the chance.

Contract Enforcement said that the company had to put out an FCIF authorizing AVA and they hadn't done so (except for Subic) because they didn't need AVA based on current staffing levels.

They obviously read the contract the way a few of the other posters do.

I, obviously, feel that they are not reading the contract correctly, but it is pretty hard to convince the CE guy on the phone that this is worth pursuing. Not a very aggressive stance in my opinion. Also, how do you argue with the supposed expert?

I would think that the union reps would be fighting to get us every advantage of the contract that we possibly could, but I guess that is just me.

I didn't expect much of a response based on what I've heard and experienced in regard to the union lately and so I can't say I'm too surprised. I'm hoping that it is a glitch in the new scheduling software and that maybe I can put in the request on Thursday.

We'll see. If not I guess I will take my chances with regular volunteer or enjoy some more time off at home.

Does anybody think that AVA is optional when the company cancels vacation?

That is my primary question, because if so then I don't have a leg to stand on.

Is there a typo clause in the CBA? I don't know that either. I am just a simple, unfrozen caveman pilot, but I can read english, and it reads to me that the ability to put in AVA requests should exist right now in all seats.

Getting such a request approved, I understand, might be tough with the manning levels we enjoy right now.

Anyway, thanks for all the opinions, keep them coming.

FJ