CheyDogFlies

Trying to gain insight on the UPS scheduler's brain. Do they have some kind of checklist to call and make "offers" before they actually call the reserve guy on call?

1. Called me the day before I started reserve, asking if I would like to do a trip that started on day 2 of my reserve. The "deal" offered was that I would be released from day 1 of my reserve. I said no thanks, I'll just take my chances and you can call me on day 2 if you need me. They never called.

2. Called me on my off day asking if I would fly during that off day because they were "in a bind." I said no thanks, I had planned on getting sloppy drunk on my day off (J/K). What I was really thinking was, why would I want to work when I'm getting paid on my day off, anyway? And why was there no "deal" offered? There's nothing in open time for my timeframe, so what the heck are they talking about--what trip? Why are they calling me and not the next guy on the reserve list who's on call for it?

Anyone good friends with a scheduler that can explain any of this to me?

SaltyDog

First, I'm proud of you CheyDog. You effectively helped our employer learn to do business better and more effectively by simply following the contract. It is wise for many to heed your wisdom. Of course, scheduling folks are in a cruddy place, they have to patch a system together that is broken and move packages despite poor planning by the airline. They will move packages anyway they can. "Oh, is that in the contract???" or the "That's not how we read it, even though I can see how reading the sentence literally it would appear to mean that"
For JA calls "Not available" is the only response necessary if not taking it.

CactusCrew

In response to # 1 ... can't figure that out. Was the trip on the 2nd possibly outside of your reserve period ? Or maybe not legal for you to complete if you were on call on Day 1 ... like no 24 hour break in 7 days. Otherwise, I don't know why you didn't get the assignment the "normal" way ...

In regards to # 2 when you say "day off" ... do you mean that "BREAK" day assigned in the middle of 15 reserve days ? If so, those days are meant to be spent sloppy drunk anyway, they should know that !

Nothing in open time ? I swear they hide things in places unknown ... I saw a DH to EWR in open time for hours today before my shift started. Couldn't find anything it linked up with. Once the shift started, the first guy on the RADAR list got a 2 day that was that DH and a live flight back the next day

Whatever works ...

Hope you get a somewhat sensible answer to the questions ... and good reply to the calls !

UPSFO4LIFE

Sometimes they get in a bind when someone calls in sick on a weekend layover. If the only reserves available are Sat. to Sat. guys, then it will take two reserves and two commercials to fill the trip. I have seen scheduling try to make deals to avoid this sometimes.

Oh, why are you answering your phone from UPS on your day off?

IPAMD11FO

Great job CDF! Never ask them for a favor. Never accept a "deal". I'm sure they're in a bind. Accepting such a "deal" will only help them accomplish their goal of short-staffing the airline. It hurts all of us in the long run. Let them use one of our subordinate officials to cover the trip.

Slice

My thoughts exactly...Mesa beat that habit out of me nearly a decade ago.

Shaggy1970

//Nothing in open time ? I swear they hide things in places unknown ... I saw a DH to EWR in open time for hours today before my shift started. Couldn't find anything it linked up with. Once the shift started, the first guy on the RADAR list got a 2 day that was that DH and a live flight back the next day//

I am not sure but doesn't a trip inside of 48 hours come off the open time list? Also, correct me if I am wrong but inside of 48 hours can't a SDF trip be filled by ANC reserve guy? I thought I had read somewhere that cross domicile staffing was allowed inside a certain time frame.

de727ups

I wouldn't say it comes off the open time list. It becomes a trip that can't be picked up by a line guy. It's a trip that will go to a reserve.

Cross domicle reserve is allowed in certain fleets and seats based on staffing per bid. See the IPA home page for the contractual allowance on cross domicle reserves each bid.

Precontact

I sorta cracked the code on this one last week. I saw a DH pairing to and from OAK but nothing in between on the SDF F/O opentime list, and upon checking the ONT F/O opentime list the actual meat of the pairing was revealed and the dates matched up perfectly. Called scheds, said that when they build them, sometimes they get coded with the wrong domicilie (UPS???) and you see those meaningless DHs with nothing to go with. Anyway that's one way they "appear."

SaltyDog

Scheduling is the master of deception and contract violation. They are literally schooled in our contract and know most crewmembers are at best vaguely aware. They know Ch 13 very,very well. How about us.?

Think of it this way. 1. Factually, UPS knows the majority of the crews will NOT file a grievance. (It is advantageous to shade the lines or go outside to get boxes moved at greatest cost savings "it pays UPS to violate")
2. They swim in Art 13 daily like stocktraders. They know exactly how manipulate data to move packages and make it difficult to track a grievance. Often claiming they can't duplicate it. The dog ate it excuse. That is one reason we have requirements (not complied with often) in Art 17 to help us see what they are doing.
3. Offer non contractual favors to temp crewmembers "assist" them and save money who are not familiar with the extraordinary details in Art 13. If necessary, protect flying to get it inside 48 hours where they want it and can give to subordinate officials, etc.
Gotta admit they are good.