FDX-Deviation Ques
 

So I am attempting to make the rally tomorrow in MEM. I have plenty of bank money just not sure if I can expense this situation properly so if anyone has any experience I appreciate it.
I am flying to MEM commercial Sunday morning with bank money I also have a trip that shows Sunday PM with a front end DH. My plan for now is to go to the rally then take the FX Jumpseat to the city at the start of my trip. The question I have is instead can I buy another commercial ticket with bank money from MEM to the start of my trip. I have a seat on the JS but it shows quite a few on STBY. I don't mind taking commercial and would hate to see someone without bank not make it home.
If so, I know how to categorize the MEM-XXX leg, but how do I categorize the flight in to MEM for the rally. Are they both deviations?

Thanks

Yes, both deviations associated with the DH trip Sunday. Both ticket expenses can be slid to Mar if that helps you. As you probably know, the bank $$ for the DH trip on Sunday falls in Feb (since show time for the DH is in Feb). You'll have to check "yes" on the taxable event for the flight from home to MEM (if that's your base), but you can check "no" on the second.

Thanks, that was my original thought, but I didn't think the flight to MEM counted as a deviation for the trip since the destination was MEM and not the city at the start of my trip.

no need to deviate on your scheduled dh. stay protected. as adler said, you can have a ticket for both.

Already chose to deviate. Have plenty of time, so not worried about protection. Choose not to go scheduled and ride on RJ's the whole way. Brings up another point. Is first class authorized since I will be starting my day heading to MEM at 0630 and won't finish until 2245?

If the block time of both DHs is over 5 hours, then yes. If not, I think you're still good since your "duty day" is over 11:30. Your situation is a little unique with the long MEM delay, but it seems to meet the contractual language in section 8. I guess the only possible fly in the ointment would be if the MEM delay is long enough to qualify as a legal rest between the DH flights. No personal experience with a similar situation.

Thanks for the input. I agree it is unique. That is why I want some opinions. I appreciate it!

Not sure you have to check the taxable event block since your ultimate destination isn't MEM (only passing through) and you are not coming to MEM for work. I'll admit it's a gray area but I think the case can be made to justify it.

I don't think you should have to check the taxable block at all, just because you happen to be passing through Memphis. Both flights are deviation tickets. I do wonder, though, if you had not deviated and had gone as scheduled, maybe the leg to get there should have been a taxable event. But since you're not, that wouldn't be a factor.

Concur with being legal for first class if one of the parameters fits. Glad you're going to the rally!

KUDOS! I wish everyone was planning on being here, and wish plans had been made earlier.


I think that's a very risky plan.

What he said. It would have been a better plan to not deviate, stay protected, and let Crew Control Scheduling deal with any potential problems with the scheduled deadhead.

You mention there are quite a few on STBY for that jumpseat, and it may turn out that none of you get to use it.

"OPERATIONAL DEADHEADS: In individual cases of operational necessity ... a pilot may be scheduled to deadhead on a Company aircraft ..." CBA § 8.A.3.c.

Have you ever looked at the "Flight Leg Display" for commercial flights on your pairings (click on the flight number) to see how many pilots are scheduled for the flight, and how many have deviated? I have a feeling that if fewer pilots deviated, the airline might have a hard time getting us all on the airplane. That's a potential problem this weekend, and it won't surprise me when The Company starts using the Company Jumpseat for Operational Deadheads to address the problem. Since those folks will be in a higher priority than your personal or business jumpseat, you're going to be left scrambling.

It's obviously too late to not deviate, but I would seriously start making backup plans to get to your outlying city. Expect no mercy from The Company.



Like VSTOLG4 said ...

The question to be asked is what is the purpose of coming to Memphis? Had you come to Memphis for the purpose of picking up the scheduled deadhead to begin your scheduled trip, you would be coming to Memphis for work -- taxable event.

Since you're not starting work in Memphis, not taking the scheduled deadhead, the purpose of your trip is to get to the outlying city where the operational part of your trip begins. You just happen to be passing through Memphis on your way there, you're not coming to Memphis to work. Not a taxable event.

That's the way I see it.

See you at the Hilton tomorrow. Good luck with your travel plans!






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