Vacations in a corporate flight department
12-15-2012 | 10:23 PM
#1
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Gets Weekends Off
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Vacations in a corporate flight department
Just wondering how corporate flight departments with multiple pilots---say 6-10 or more pilots---handle vacation/days off requests? Are requests done first come/first serve? Does it go by seniority? Some other way?
12-16-2012 | 05:22 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
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From: Captian, G450, G550 (Ret.)
Vacation time is pretty important for QOL so we manage it on a first come, first serve basis. Once approved, if an unforeseen event causes a shortage (last resort), the company can ask the pilot to step back off a vacation but he/she can say no with no repercussions and no questions.
In my 10 years with the company, I have never been asked.
In my 10 years with the company, I have never been asked.
12-16-2012 | 08:28 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
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From: Baja Vermont
We have 22 pilots, four planes. 15 vacation after 5 years and 20 days afte 10, so there's a lot of vacation to be taken. The guidance first come, but usually can be approved the month prior. If th schedule is covered even later notice. We also get 7 scheduled days off per month and 5 "flex" holidays. The scheduled "days off" are put on each weekend of a week's vacation, due to th fact policy a week's vacation is 5 normal working days for the thousands of company employees. So, 5 days vacation is effectively 12 days off the schedule.
A lot of other things are handled by deft scheduling, not charges to vacation. MiL died, they just took me off the sked for the time I needed. I was next out about 2 weeks afterwards, with a couple of office days in between. It's all about give and take.
GF
A lot of other things are handled by deft scheduling, not charges to vacation. MiL died, they just took me off the sked for the time I needed. I was next out about 2 weeks afterwards, with a couple of office days in between. It's all about give and take.
GF
12-16-2012 | 05:37 PM
#6
Chief Jeppesen Updater
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From: Executive Transport Driver
15 pilots, 4 planes. Vacation is first come first serve, with most requesting it as far out in advance as they know. I tend to be more spontaneous with my days off and like to toss in long weekends a month or two in advance, provided the schedule/staffing allows it.
12-17-2012 | 05:56 AM
#7
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Gets Weekends Off
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Thank you. We have been doing vacations first come/first served for years, however I've learned there is grumbling that maybe it should go to a seniority basis. Just looking for a sampling of what others do.
Any others, please chime in!
Any others, please chime in!
12-18-2012 | 06:10 AM
#9
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Keep in mind the cost/availability of contract pilots if your fellow employee pilots get sick on your vacation you requested last year. E.G. two days prior to your approved vacation one of the pilots gets the flu. Are you going to let the CEO's 14th trip to PBI this year get cancelled?
12-18-2012 | 07:01 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
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From: Baja Vermont
In our case, we would contract a pilot, as would most of the large departments I have seen. Many have a few contractors that they are comfortable with and use often enough that they know they can get a fill-in quickly. Just like F/As. BTW, I've seen it done.
GF
GF
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