CloudSailor

I understand the FDA subject is a sensitive one right now, in light of what is happening in HKG. I'm not trying to start a different thread on that subject, just have some questions about bidding to/from an FDA:

- On the FDA relocation Q&A, the question "If awarded an FDA, can I delay the move?", is answered "Yes". Does anyone on here have direct experience with that? How long can one delay the move from the date on the training letter? What are the requirements to delay the move?

- If I were awarded an FDA on posting 12-01, and then let's say another bid comes out in January '13, and I bid on a seat back to MEM, would the company assign me a training/transfer date 2 years after my FDA activation date? Or, would they assign me a training/transfer before my 2 year commitment is up?

- And similarly, is there a way to bid for a vacancy back in the U.S. while at the FDA, and keep that training date in one's "back pocket" to have an exit date in case the next bid(s) are delayed/cancelled? I guess I'm wondering if there's a way to have an FDA exit strategy in case we go more than 18 months from one bid to the next...

I know these are very specific questions, hope someone is able to help. Thanks.

4A2B

First, I would encourage you to ask these questions directly to your Fleet Captain and if they do not answer sufficiently then use ALPA. I can give you some suppositions though:

1. The delay you speak of in Q1 is most likely related to "how long can I wait to move and get the housing money still?". You never have to move, so you could delay for the entire 2 plus years, however I have heard that there is an 18 month window to actually move and then activate your housing money.

2. You have a bid restriction if you bid down or lateral (a bid to the same aircraft you flying is not a lateral). If you are awarded a seat and still inside your 24 months, they usually assign you a training date sometime after that 24 months is up. If you have a date and you want to extend your stay but retain your slot you can use the normal training date swap procedure, if you get willing trade partner(s).

3. In the EU you have a 4 year 9 month max, so save any system bids you will be forced out of the EU and the LOA has info on "where you can go". If there are no bids, this will be your only way out short of an Executive approval.

Hope this helps.

CloudSailor

Thanks 4A2B. Yes, getting this info directly from someone in management is really the way to go.

My first question was more along the lines of: If I'm awarded an FDA and have a transfer date for August, can I delay the transfer/activation until October?. I can see how you are interpreting that question though...

flextodaline

"First, I would encourage you to ask these questions directly to your Fleet Captain and if they do not answer sufficiently then use ALPA."


...and record everything they say, for later reference and evidence.....

Alaskan

What he said. Get the answer in writing, document that you asked the question (return receipt email), and be sure to compare notes with others asking the same thing.

In several of the terminated pilots' hearings, FDX denied that there is a 18-month move window, notwiithstanding the CBA provision and zero language in the LOA contradicting it. ALPA will likely tell you that this is yet another area of the contract where the company can get away with its own interpretation due to missing or vague language. One or more of the arbitrators may disagree -- stay tuned.

By the way the company is claiming "business necessity" is behind its strategy of getting married guys to move their whole family to the FDA if they want the HA. The argument being that the pilots will fly better if their families are close by. No explanation so far of why only guys who are married need their families in HKG in order to fly OK. There are lots of divorced pilots with kids in the other parent's physical custody, plus dads who never bothered marrying their partners, plus (gasp!) gay pilots with long-term partners. In the latter case, FDX refuses to move the partner to the FDA (no business class ticket for you!) and in the other cases, it recognizes that it lacks the power to make the pilot move everyone to HKG. So, FDX has been paying HA to all these pilots, even though their family "center of gravity" is thousands of miles away.

4A2B

I see, well I would guess that you could try and do a training or transfer swap but in the case of the FDA they need bodies sooner than later and they can deny any trade/swap request. If you bid an FDA I would guess you are going to be activated ASAP. The only luck you may have is trading with another FDA pilot who would like to go earlier in your slot.

Good luck.

The 18 month thing I was referring to was not the same as Alaskan is talking about. I also had heard there were some pilots claiming they could take the money day 1 and had an 18 month window to complete relocation. I do not know anything about that claim, just that I heard you do not get money until you relocate and that the window for that was no later than 18 months after you activate. FWIW..

DLax85

If one bids an FDA now, are they publicly stating to all fellow FDA pilots, non-FDA pilots, and perhaps, most importantly, the Union leadership & Negotiating Committee that the current FDA benefits (i.e housing allowance, weight limits, commuting restrictions, child education allowance, etc) are sufficient?

PastV1

I would think "yes"...

DaRaiders

"Now"? The ones that previously bid it get a pass?

Gunter

Concerning our FDA's -

Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt.

Expect the worst outcome and you should be fine.

Good luck