notEnuf

I know it’s about the surplus. I’d still like to see more than a fifth of the weeks from peak to trough. Or better yet just make it a minimum percentage available each month. 8.3% would be even year round, but I’d be happy with some middle ground increase that allows for some increases during low months just not 5X.

StartngOvr

I agree with this completely. This is one of my biggest dislikes with the current vacation system. It's also a jobs killer. The company should have to staff the airline in such a way as to provide a more even distribution throughout the year. If they flex the schedules down that much in non-summer months, you're likely not flying on reserve anyway. Why should a majority be forced to take vacation on days you can bid off anyway? This is analogous to telling clerical workers they get vacation, but can only use it on weekends and holidays when the office is closed.....

Planing to include in my survey, but I don't think it's going to get much traction. I seldom hear it discussed.

We were told during TA1/TA2 the company wanted to curb "sick time abuse" by pilots. If they can't see the connection between these two issues, they are being naive.


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sailingfun

To be fair most companies limit vacation or forbid it during peak times. We need a more equitable split but your not likely to convince them to make every month equal. Costing that out would produce a huge number. I hear they really started hating IVD’s this summer. I really liked them!

StartngOvr

Agree every month equal is not realistic. Not really what I intended to convey. What I was suggesting is some method of limiting the practice as the previous post mentioned. Right now it's completely unlimited in favor of the company. We've already heard they will be after productivity gains. I think we have a gaping hole here they can drive their "productivity steamroller" right though.....

In tightly staffed categories, IVD are not a solution I don't think. They can still be denied due inadequate staffing, correct?


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sailingfun

It’s rare pre month to have days where you could not use IVD’s. Certainly happens but far from the norm. You need 25% of normal reserves required.

StartngOvr

Oct pre-month, my category was in the black 27 out of 31 days. It's gotten tighter since the month started.


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notEnuf

When staffing tightens via productivity, it is entirely likely that desirable days will have lower reserve coverage. Currently summer coverage is at or below required on the weekends and holidays. The 25% coverage has to be for the entire IVD. This can’t be determined until the 20th of the month prior. Planning a vacation in as little as 10 days is unrealistic.

Hank Kingsley

Can you pick up over the IVD drop days? Can we change the name of those?

Denny Crane

I don’t think so. It’s vacation. Of course just ask the 350 FO that got bought off of vacation and got a GS....

Denny

FL370esq

Somewhat disappointing that the union hasn't gotten the company to cease and desist on that little scheduling maneuver. There is no PWA provision that allows the company to assign you a trip while you are on vacation and then give you "vacation payback days." Company/schedulers just don't want to go to the next option - assign with conflict. By taking that trip, the pilot is helping the company bigly.