Airline Pilot Central Forums - How to get the 4th of July OFF

Building on our article about getting Thanksgiving off, we’re going to point out a technique that will hopefully help a few pilots (new and, ahem, senior) improve their schedule and get the 4th of July off.

Although this technique works in any bid period, it’s especially useful for the June to July transition, as the 4th is a PWA defined APD/IVD blackout period. This means that the normal rules governing 25% reserve coverage do not have to be honored by the company when awarding APD or IVD drops.

***Important - the preceding sentence does not mean the company will not award an APD or IVD over a holiday period, so it never hurts to try. It just means that they are not OBLIGATED by the PWA to do so.

As is usually the case, it is easier to explain this technique with an example.

Assume a relatively junior pilot is awarded a coverage trip (the artist formerly known as unstacking) that signs in on the 4th of July. Reserves available are less than required, and her wise attempts at an APD & IVD were unfortunately not successful.

There are still a few options, such as a Swap w/ Pot for another trip at some other time in July or dropping/swapping on the Pilot-to-Pilot Swap Board. However, for example’s sake, let’s say neither of these options is going to work either.

If she happens to be off at the end of the June bid period, there is still one more card that can be played…

PWA 23.p.5.f (exception 2) says:

Quote:

A pilot may be awarded a white slip in the current bid period that will create an FAR and/or PWA conflict with a rotation in the next bid period. The conflicting rotation in the next bid period will be removed from the pilot’s line. The pilot’s projection/line guarantee will be reduced by the credit of the removed rotation

So it’s pretty obvious now to see where this is going. Our example pilot could look for a trip to whiteslip (WS) that departs on one the of the last few days of the June bid period - making absolutely certain that the WS rotation will create a PWA or FAR conflict with her trip on the 4th of July.

Once it is approved, the rotation on the 4th will be dropped (without pay) and she can happily spend the day watching the Coney Island hotdog contest and fireworks.

Have a Happy 4th!

Looking for more ways to improve your schedule?

July schedules are now uploaded to our Swap Tool. If you’re still sorting your Swap w/ Pot requests manually by hand, you really should give it a try this month. The Swap Tool has a 7-day trial period and Delta pilots can apply our June coupon code (FIREWORKS) for 10% off any subscription if you decide you like it.

[/shamelessplug]

Remember it’s most effective to have your July Swap w/ Pot requests in before the first PCS run at 0700ET on 6/20.

-Fly Safe
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