FDX Reserve Leveling question
 

The other day (Saturday) I was on Airport Stby as a part of my Reserve duty. They assigned me a trip, and were going to launch us to AUS that was to pay 7+30, but ended up getting cancelled because of mx. I later called the scheduler to ask why I wasn't leveled for the assigned trip, and he said I had to actually block out in order to be leveled. That's not what the contract says, and there's no one in contract enforcement to ask today.

Then.. yesterday (Sunday) I was starting another trip that went to LAX and returned (DH) Monday, and they had already assigned a Monday afternoon trip to ORD. Sometime during my flight to LAX I was removed from the ORD trip due to the LAX trip getting extended....wx issues. No leveling awarded for the ORD trip even though I was assigned and subsequently removed. Am I wrong in supposing that I should have been leveled for these trips even though they were not flown.

Here's what the contract says:

Section 4.H. Minimum Guarantees and Other Pay Provisions - Reserve Credit Hour Accrual
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:
For leveling, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited upon assignment.
For RLG, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited when that pilot:
actually blocks out on the trip;
shows for the standby;
is bumped from the trip or standby; or
is removed from the reserve assignment for sick leave in accordance with Section 14.B.5.b. (Sick Leave)

Thoughts???

You should be leveled as soon as the trip is assigned. I've had Airport standbys canceled and recieved leveling for them, but I had to call the scheduler to get it.

Yes, no one is in the office today.

However, the email provided a phone number to call to obtain assistance. The contract enforcement group is available today to take questions.

Yeah I've had similar situations and had it corrected by talking with (hopefully) a cool scheduler and going over the specific parts of the contract. All sorts of bad gouge that usually work against us in CRS - I've also noticed a rash of errors from them in the last 3 months that only get fixed if you call them up and point them out - unintentional errors caused by their computer system as far as I can tell.

I was assigned a 26 hour trip at the end of December on reserve. I checked in and the trip was subsequently cancelled. I did receive all of the leveling for that trip.

I've had them use this against me before:

If the pilot is removed from the trip via VIPS more than 1:30 hours prior to his scheduled showtime for an R-1.5 reserve, or more than 3 hours for an R-3, or more than 20 hours for an R-24, he shall receive no credit for that trip.

I think you could argue either way.:confused:

You don't receive credit for RLG, but you do receive leveling. I've had to call them a couple of times in the last few months over this, but they always leveled me.

If it were me, I'd call back and speak to another scheduler or either speak to a supervisor or wait until tomorrow and try it again. I try not to go the supervisor route, I prefer to be on good terms with the schedulers. It shouldn't matter, but we all know it does...

Anyway, you are right and should be leveled for the trips...

No Soup for Me!!
 

Well...I spoke to the folks in contract enforcement. They were quite familiar with this situation, and provided good information. Unfortunately...it didn't result in any leveling for me. :eek: The reference isn't worded the best, but makes some sense.

I don't think that CRS is intentionally out to shaft us, but I don't have the legal credentials to properly interpret our CBA sometimes.

If a reserve pilot is removed from a reserve trip prior to actual block-out for the reasons stated in Section 4.H.4.a. (this paragraph), his RLG shall be credited as provided in Section 4.H.4.b., H.4.c., and H.4.d.

1. A reserve pilot removed from a trip for the following reasons shall return to his reserve schedule:
   1. trip canceled; (Section 25.H.2.a.)
   2. trip revised to extend beyond R-days; (Section 25.M.1.b.)
   3. early show without notice; (Section 25.H.2.c.)
   4. weather restrictions; (Section 25.H.2.f.)
   5. FAR or other governmental authority; (Section 25.H.2.g.)
   6. Contract limitations (Section 25.H.2.h.)
2. If the pilot is removed from the trip via VIPS more than 1:30 hours prior to his scheduled showtime for an R-1.5 reserve, or more than 3 hours for an R-3, or more than 20 hours for an R-24, he shall receive no credit for that trip.
3. If the pilot is removed from the trip via VIPS 1:30 hours or less prior to his scheduled showtime for an R-1.5 reserve, or 3 hours or less for an R-3, or 20 hours or less for an R-24, he shall be credited 3 CH showpay toward his RLG.
4. If the pilot is removed from the trip via VIPS at or after his scheduled showtime, he shall receive 3 CH showpay toward his RLG.

This is true, I've been assigned and removed from 2 trips in a Reserve period before and then assigned a third and received leveling for all 3! I'd have rather had received the RLG credit though! ;)

Pecan - aren't all those references about credit specifically towards RLG? Why did you not get leveled for the trip?

4.H.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:
For leveling, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited upon assignment.
For RLG, trip guarantee or standby pay shall be credited when that pilot:
actually blocks out on the trip;
shows for the standby;
is bumped from the trip or standby; or
is removed from the reserve assignment for sick leave in accordance with Section 14.B.5.b. (Sick Leave)



The above quote shows leveling upon assignment.

I've always been leveled. Sometimes I've had to call, but if they assign you a trip, you get leveled.

From my experience, the company doesn't really care about leveling for the most part. Whether you fly the trip or the next guy really isn't that important (to them). They don't give you any credit toward RLG and you are still available to fly trips if they get to your name.

I'd say contract enforcement is wrong on this one. They are confusing credit toward RLG and leveling.

If it were me, I'd call back and ask to speak to the scheduler. If it's the one that you had problems with, I'd just hang up. If they can't fix it, I'd call enforcement again. It is very cut and dry in this very "grey" contract that you get leveling upon assignment. Quote the specific text.

Call your block rep and ask for a clarification on leveling/credit. I'm not saying contract enforcement is wrong, but they're not noted for their over-aggressive interpretations.

The gentleman I spoke with yesterday (not D.T.) was pretty sure of himself, and said you need to read the entire thing in context. I've since reread the contract sections involving Reserve leveling and RLG several times. It definitely seems to differentiate between the two: leveling v/s RLG.

Each time the CBA mentions not receiving credit for a trip, it is referencing RLG. The only mention of leveling is that it is to be awarded upon trip assignment.

Based on my rereading of everything, I believe that once any trip is assigned, leveling should occur, and RLG will only be credited upon blockout. I have not spoken with the gentleman at enforcement again for further clarification, but I may call again tomorrow. As many of you are aware, this forum is frequented by everyone, but many in positions of authority cannot post due to a conflict of interest.

Pecan,

You should be leveled. End of story.

I was assigned a trip last week that was cancelled 14 hours prior to show and was LEVELED for the credit hour value of that trip. Since I was first fly, I was given another trip later in the day. RLG remained unchanged related to the cancelled trip. Your situation has me confused...:confused: