Only at FedEx would a person going under the knife for open heart surgery be called upon to "explain his behavior". Our crew schedulers are the "best". JJ, no one has called even to say hello?

 

Nope, at least no one from management. Since I went out, I've been working with three other pilots who had, or are currently undergoing similar situations to what I went through, both with the heart issue as well as cancer. Seems I've become an expert on radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and heart disease. Sucks, but at least I've helped others along the way. It's all good.

JJ

 

The old rule was you get a call on the seventh sick call in a rolling 12 months... The new one is 5.... I have it on good info, that a daily report is printed out flagging the 5th call, as well as the day count when it exceeds 10 (?) days and again somewhere in the high twentys. It requires an FOA "fishing" call for any of the flags. Nothing further is required.

 

I'm not sure how this information is helpful to anyone.

If scheduling is unhappy that you called in sick they file a report and the investigation starts. Everyone knows the pilots only call in sick because they want more time off. I'm pretty sure JJ's heart attack and surgery was just an elaborate ruse to skip work the last couple of years. We just can't prove it yet

I expect a call and special monitoring every time I call in sick. This makes it easy and I don't care about how many times or for how long. Coincidentally I now don't fret over the secret investigation or extra "care" I will receive after a fatigue call. I'm ready for it.

Since they don't tell us when the "rules" change or who is being monitored for what infraction, I think it's good to always inform the union that you are being questioned. They might raise the harassment flag for you. Lawyer to lawyer communication can also prevent someone from using your words against you.

 

I second the remarks about (#) of sick and clock time too close to show as mentioned. You will get a call, or a irregularity report. Similarly true for fatigue call. You will get a mean spirited damed if you did FISHING ( here is some rope please insert your head) Call from the DO and ACP.

Regardless of your reason A NEGATIVE REPORT on your REPORT CARD. Will be made.
Management keeps a record on us all. By contract we are allowed to see this. I have, nothing much in mine. In addition to this management maintains a PILOT REPORT CARD on us all that you DONT see. It has your picture on it. If you call in fatigued the DO makes a one sided entry which makes you look bad. For example " the pilot when asked had no extenuating circumstances for the call."
Other companies had this and ALPA made them stop. It was found to be (as best as I can recall) a shop list? An "illegal' management tool against union members.

This next contract we need to get rid of this list or make it transparent. Unfortunately most dont know/care about this.

 

Management definately does not post its rules of engagement, therefore it is very important that WE anticipate what is to come based on our actions. I just want to have the rules of engagement clearly spelled out.

By the very nature of our jobs, we are managed by someone who cannot live or interact directly with us.... I know pilots who have not traveled to their hub (except for training) for YEARS.... So I do not begrudge the tools management uses.

Going over the limit does not get you fired, this is just a management tool, for statistics gathering, trend analysis, and response. We need to know WHEN to expect that call and how we need to RESPOND to ensure we dont get in trouble. This is where this information is useful. Our Union could do us a great favor by providing guidance in this area.

 

I've heard it before and this information is also useless to me. Are they going to look up your pilot report card, the secret one, the next time you step on it and choose to be harsher with you because of it? Should I not call fatigued because I'm worried about keeping my job? Maybe the FAA should learn more about this program. I'm not sure but it sounds like it might run counter to our new found focus on safety.

Does a desire to keep your secret file in good shape, for protection, change the way you do business? I submit it should not. If YOU do something really wrong and the "right" people notice they will make an example of YOU, regardless of your secret status.

 

A conversation I had a few years ago with a flight "manager" went something like this?

Them: I see that you called in sick. Do you realize that you called in sick 5 times in the last 365 days?
Me: Yes
Them: Are you able to furnish a doctor's note if I request one from you?
Me: No
Them: Why not?
Me: Because I did not go to the doctor.
(Long silence)
Me: Anything else I can help you with?
Them: No
Me: Thank you for calling.

Sick time is negotiated time off, nothing more. You do not leave your rights (Privacy, HIPAA, etc.) at the door when they hire you here. The instant I ever get the slightest tinge of overbearing attitude about sick time usage from one of the Pilot Pushers I will call the FSDO/POI without hesitation. I am sure it would not be the first time the company's representatives were accused of trying to make someone think twice about calling in sick, thereby violating FAR §61.53. You are the only person that can evaluate your physical and mental fitness to do the job.

As a refresher only...

§ 61.53 Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.

(a) Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, no person who holds a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter may act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:

(1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or

(2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.

 

Oh boy, if someone says "black", you'd say "white". I think about everyone in the company would like to know the limitations set before any formal or informal interaction with the company. I don't want to know my ACP's name, and I hope he doesn't know mine.

I'm not saying you are going to get fired for having 7 sick calls in a calendar year. If am going to have documentation in my file for calling in 7 times, I'd like to know it. One day we may do something dumb (oversleep and miss a trip or two) and it might behoove us to have a clean record if/when something occurs.

It appears that you enjoy an argument. If that is the case, do us a favor and talk to your wife...

 

Sorry about the poor tone. I don't like the threat of a "secret" file either.

I was just trying to just take it one step further because I don't think there will ever be any resolution on eliminating or revealing them. I assume everything I do is monitored and don't worry about it.