FDX reserve question
 

I was recently removed from a reserve trip due to a scheduling error. It was assigned as a check ride way early in the month, but they realized I wasn't due. I thought the new contract intent was that anything assigned, even if taken away, was to be leveled. I called the union and scheduling and they both said not so. Actually, one contract enforcement person said they didn't see where it said no leveling, and the other disagreed. This is what the contract says, and it looks black and white to me. Help. Is it just me , but every time I call the union about a scheduling question, it seems they are leaning toward the company's side if it is a gray area.

H. Reserve Credit Hour Accrual

1. A pilot who is assigned a trip(s) or base standby in reserve status shall have the trip guarantee or standby pay credited toward his leveling and/or RLG as follows:

a. For leveling, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited upon assignment.

b. For RLG, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited when that pilot:

i. actually blocks out on the trip;

ii. shows for the standby;

iii. is bumped from the trip or standby; or

iv. is removed from the reserve assignment for sick leave in accordance with Section 14.B.5.b. (Sick Leave).

I think if you had actually showed/checked in for the trip, then the leveling would have occurred.

I've been assigned a trip off of reserve in the past worth approx 20+ hours.....had something happen on the 1st leg so that we returned to domicile. Ended up only working about 6 credit hours or so. The leveling, however, remained at the originally assigned trip.

I definitely understand your point based on the contract language. Hope this helps somewhat.

I think "scheduling error" lets the company "un-due" any mistake they ever made and pretend like it never happened :confused:

Where does it say that I actually have to show/check in? That's what contract enforcement tells me, but reading the contract doesn't tell me that at all. Unless I'm mistaken, the first line says it all. Once assigned, leveled.

I had something similar happen to me a long time ago, and I was told that since checkrides and IOE are done by IOE scheduling, vice CRS, that the language in the contract wasn't meant to cover those trips. I agree though that the contract spells it out black and white, regardless of "accepted practice". The union rolls over on a lot of issues like this one, on the ground that, "We can't win, so why fight..." Sounds pathetic...

I think you only get leveling in this case of you were 53 or older when the contract was signed or have a porn star moustache.

I kid! I kid! I am a kidder!!

nevermind....

grievance
 

I usually agree with what the union says, but this one bugs me. Has anyone ever grieved a point that the union won't back? This is such a simple thing, yet it was one of the reasons I thought reserve scheduling was improved. Guess I was wrong again.

Sounds to me that you should have been leveled once you were assigned the trip.

Several months ago, I was assigned a trip. I was called about 12:01AM and was told that the trip was cancelled, however they had another trip for me instead. I was leveled for both trips, the one that I was assigned and never flew, the other that I actually flew. Reminded me why I should never answer the phone if I am already assigned a trip though.....

I agree with your comments about contract enforcement. They seem to look for every reason NOT to pursue these kind of things... I've had similar experiences as you...

Juniority,
Our last LEC meeting in Anchorage addressed this very issue. Seems like lots of complaints against contract enforcement. We were asked to provide our reps with examples/dates/times of when we called Contract Enforcement and received a "less than motivated" response.
I recommend you contact your block rep and relay this story to them.

Grieve it
 

Even if the union says, "we can't win this one" doesn't mean you can't fight it. Our contract enforcement guys too often give this answer... and one way to stop this answer is to win once in a while... and the only way to win is to fight. Even if the union doesn't want you to grieve it, you still have the right to grieve it anyway. (Use some judgment because it does cost us all money.)

To me, and maybe someone else in the grieving process, the contract clearly states that you will get leveled when you are assigned the trip. It does not state that this section of the contract does not apply to only one part of scheduling.

The company should just cave on this one, because it doesn't cost them a dime... but you know they won't give anything up without a fight.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Thanks. I just don't understand why we don't fight the gray areas more. I also got excited when they talked about having contract enforcement work 24/7. I think it would be money well spent. How often does the junk happen from 8-4:30? Not very often for me.

add this leveling issue too
 

Seems pretty clear to me; Did you block out on the trip?

Hey Bitme,

I think he was referring to leveling, not RLG...

H. Reserve Credit Hour Accrual

1. A pilot who is assigned a trip(s) or base standby in reserve status shall have the trip guarantee or standby pay credited toward his leveling and/or RLG as follows:

a. For leveling, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited upon assignment.


b. For RLG, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited when that pilot:

i. actually blocks out on the trip;

ii. shows for the standby;

iii. is bumped from the trip or standby; or

iv. is removed from the reserve assignment for sick leave in accordance with Section 14.B.5.b. (Sick Leave).
I think he was referring to just the leveling aspect, not RLG.

I think he's talking about leveling (where is he in the reserve stack for trip assignment purposes), not RLG (how many CH's do I have to work before I max out for the month).

4.H.1.a. addresses leveling.

4.H.1.b.i. addresses RLG.

He gets leveled at assignment. He gets RLG credit after blockout.

Looks like nightfreight beat me to the punch...:D

You both beat me to the punch, but here goes:
There are two seperate issues discussed in these threads. One is RSV leveling, the other is accrual of credits toward RLG. Junior, I think you are right. The contract doesn't say unless it was IOE that assigned the trip, it just says at trip assignment, that's when you are leveled. Doesn't matter, after that, if the trip is CNX, you're removed, whatever. Leveling occurs at assignment.

I have to piggy back on a prior suggestion. Hold Mr. T's feet to the fire, and make the contract language work. I, too, had a similar experience. Scheds called me during a layover, and I put in for a "recall from rest" pay log. I've been PAID multiple times before, by the company, for their interrupting my rest. The guy in contract enforcement wouldn't stand behind me, even though I had my own personal experience. I don't know if it's an attitude problem from him, but a gut check says: maybe.

Not so. I just discussed this one with CRS tonight. I was thinking the same thing, but CRS tells me the mini-RLG does not apply if you were actually awarded a reserve line. My situation was having a carryover trip from last month (I did get levelled for that), but did not get levelled for the M/U trip that I picked up in between my carryover and when my R-days started.

I was told that I did not have a "secondary, conversion or custom, or carryover R-days", so therefore the M/U trip doesn't get levelled. Anyone have any experience otherwise with this situation?

Make up never gets leveled unless it is a carryover trip.

CIA (Carry in adjustment) will get leveling.

B reserve
 

Anyone know the time you are on the hook for local time in ANC B-reserve? I've got it next month.

1330-0130 Lbt.

Thanks! I guess I will have to order my beer at F street at last call.

But isn't ANC a 3 hour callout, which would make it a 1030-2230 notification window? Much better for a late night at the F Street.

BRILLIANT!

make up trips never used to count but the new contract would seem to indicate otherwise as they lined out the restrictions (as shown in the large blue CBA showing changes from old contract)

I'll check into it, I will say that I have never been leveled for a M/U trip. I don't know, maybe I have been getting hosed....

You are right, I am only talking about leveling, not RLG. I think I might take this one a step further, but it won't get me anything. I guess it might help the next guy though.
I had another one last night. I was sent on a DH that missed it's connection. They elected to have me driven to another airport (EWR to JFK) to catch another flight. The "new" turn block in to block out was 5+30. The duty officer refused to give me a hotel. Said it didn't make any sense as there were only less than 4 hrs left since we figured out what they were going to do with me. Also accused me of having an attitude. I had no computer in front of me (like he did) to see how long the turn was (okay, I should have figured it out, but I thought it was less than 4 hrs for some stupid reason). They also bumped me up to a 14+18 hour duty day to fly two legs for a total of around 7 hrs of block in COACH! And he tells me I have an attitude!
Sorry for the rant.

Recent experience in this area:
 

I was recently assigned and subsequently removed from a trip within 1.5 hours of show time. After a system update, neither my leveling nor RLG reflected the trip assigment leveling credit or "show pay" RLG as provided by 4.H.1.a and 4.H.4.c respectively.

I called CRS and asked about both and was told, yes, I should have received the 3 hours of RLG and also should have been leveled for the trip upon assignment. Both were reflected correctly in the next system update.

Stuff like this bears watching. I don't think anyone was trying to screw me out of anything-just an oversight, but we should all do our best to make sure we are getting full credit for all things Section 4 (and every other section, for that matter!)