If you’re going to initial training on a new plane, is there a minimum amount of one time required for notification? I had it sprung on me today for July. Kind of ****** on my July plans after the expected training was in August. I understand and accept that’s the nature of bidding onto a new aircraft etc etc.

 

15 Days for AE/VD
25 Days for MD

 

Thanks. Next question, any way to optimize time off in a training month? I have a spill over trip that goes into the first few days of the month of July and then training starts the 22nd. Would like to maximize time home. Commuter so reserve may not be ideal if it’s anything like vacation month bidding.
I think part of the deal is I can opt in for 48 hours off prior, no?

 

I thought I read a memo from ALPA saying that they aren’t allowed to put training on your schedule after the bids open up. Might be worth looking into at least. Don’t hold me to that though.

I think the company was putting training on the PBS schedule hours before bids closed and obviously that’s not cool.

 

There isn't any way to optimize it, other than bidding high time trips or dropping trips once they have been awarded. Training pay is prorated, so it will be a fixed amount of credit for the month (and not much!) so you'll still have to be in the Line Construction Window (ie, if the ALV is 80, LCW is 72:30-87:30), if training is 22 hours your other credit awarded in PBS for the month has to reach a minimum is 50:30).


The 48 hours off prior was a choice when you filled out your AE/VD/MD preferences - it's unpaid anyway, and I don't know of anyway to get it after the AE bid closed.

 

You simply call the training planner for that fleet and ask for it.

 

How about reinstatement?

 

Not sure, but since you must be reinstated by 6 bid periods, I would guess the note at 11F.2.a.2) would apply, which states no preposting time is required.

 

This is one of biggest screw jobs we have. Last time I had training, it started with 4 days left in bid month. Those 4 days of training paid 10 hours. I still had to bid full schedule that month with remaining days.

The next month, I finished training a few days before Thanksgiving. I asked for Thanksgiving off in icrew (there's a place to request OE days off). I then called ALPA about shadowbidding. I bid to work everyday and max out my schedule since I wouldn't be flying trips anyway. When it came time for OE, planner called me and said my options were to work Thanksgiving or I could have it off, but if I had it off she would PD my shadow trip that touched that day and I would lose the shadow trip pay. I elected to do that as it was only a 2 day trip. My 83 hour line dropped to 72:30. Alpa never told me they could drop shadow trips on days you wanted off. Here's the kicker. They are still allowed to assign OE trips on days where you have no shadow trips, but I hear they try and keep OE trips in the shadow footprint.

Good luck

 

I guess I am missing something in your rant. When you finish qual training, "they" (OE planners) can put a trip where ever so long as it is FAR117 compliant. Shadow bidding has zero effect on that. Shadow bidding is solely for pay purposes. You are getting paid the greater of the OE trip or the shadow trip when the two touch. If they put OE on that doesn't touch your shadow trip, then you are getting paid for the OE trip as well as the shadow trips. Some people like that extra pay.

Now, would it be nice to have the ability to place a few OE Golden Days on your sked? Sure. Maybe C2022 will get that for us. But, till then, it is what it is.