I don’t believe this look back “to the minute” and “having to verify next week” part is accurate when it comes to verification. Your verification requirement is determined on a bid period basis and the look back is for the 12 previous bid periods. If you entered a bid period with 99:59 for a look back, you would have no verification requirement for the entirety of that bid period, even if you called in sick multiple times. If you begin a bid period with a look back of 100:00 to 159:59 then you are QHCP and if you begin a bid period with a look back of 160:00 or greater you will require a Doctor’s note. If you use less than 50:00 in two consecutive sick leave years (June 1 - May 31) then you have no verification requirement for the entire new sick leave year no matter how much you use.

 

How much sick time does the average pilot use?

 

Of course they do, or they would have already instituted it. I find it sad that they just may be right. I don't mind calling and wasting schedulers time with my call...as long as I don't get put on hold for 5-10 minutes.

Does the union track sick leave? I wonder if DALPA could ping UAL MEC for their sick leave data. Might be able to get some info on if sick leave increased/decreased when they instituted their current way to call in sick (doesn't involve talking to anyone).

 

Of course you will take option B. That’s not the point being made. The point being made is you are being forced to go to the “doc in a box” to get paid when you may not need too.

Denny

 

Well, since small jet scope doesn’t affect me, I don’t think we should do anything about it, maybe give some more away. I never sit reserve so improvements to it don’t affect all pilots so no can do... Can you not see where you’re attitude is just plain wrong!?!

Denny

 

I believe you are wrong. If you enter a bid period, say this month, having used 99.59 hours you do not have to verify your next sick call. You call in sick for a 21 hour trip 3-6 sep and call in we’ll on the 7th. You are now over the 100 hr threshold. If you call in sick 21-24 sep,you will have to verify that trip by a QHCP to get paid for that trip. That’s my understanding. And yes they do keep track to the minute.

Denny

 

A few years ago I remember reading a number in the 60ish range from some newsletter/update/briefing/letter/article.

 

Clearly everyone has their personal priorities. Retirement is very important to some, insurance to others, retirement insurance to others, pay rates to some, QOL items to others... I was agreeing that gains in areas which benefit the most should be prioritized. Some areas of our contracts, or more specifically, where we spend negotiating capital to make gains in our contract are proving to be divisive. Now some pilots are actually talking about intentionally introducing concessions (scope sales) in an effort/threat harm certain segments of our group???

BTW, I can't remember the last I sat reserve. Definitely prebankruptcy. . I'd love to improve reserve rules as it benefits everyone. More senior guys bidding reserve is better for less senior line holders as well. I want to prioritize our capital in areas which help all. We all get a voice.

 

Denny, you are correct that it is displayed up to the minute. Based on reading NN 17-13, my impression is that your verification status is set for an entire bid period based on your usage for the 12 previous bid periods. Your example with a second sick call on 21-24 sep would not require verification. Assuming there aren’t enough hours to fall out of your 12 bid period look back, you would be on the hook for verification in October though. Take a look at that notepad and let me know what you think.

Admittedly, I have never had to verify as I have fallen under the less than 50 exclusion since this was implemented. I’m sure at some point it will snag me though and I want to make sure my understanding is accurate.

 

I just read the pertinent section of the PWA. There is no way to pre-emptively verify, that is: Verify for a sick call that is your first/second of the year or if your usage is on the low side.

We did away with this last contract, correct?