Sounds like a self created crisis to present to the NMB.

Company: We can't possibly increase vacation availability and credit because our hiring is at full capacity and we have optimized our summer therefore DALPA's QOL items are complete over reach and unobtainable.

One of those “extra” Thanksgiving weeks. I feel stupid now for bidding it as I’ve never had a problem getting that week off without vacation. With the weeks available I thought I’d be a stretch for a July week (only month that works for my whole family to go based on other commitments) but thought if not, I’d hold Christmas. On the bright side, I won’t have to bid around Thanksgiving to get it off this year.

All the vacations pushed into the offseason will just force the use of ivd/apd(hopefully pd) and the manning problem remains. There will still only be x amount of pilots Willing to fly. All this does is force open time to blossom after bid awards come out, which is less manageable and more expensive then just letting pilots enjoy their pre posted weeks off.

Everyone keeps talking about using IVD's this summer and IVD's only have to have coverage the same as an APD, except for the exception dates in the PWA, so I wonder how long it will take the company to come to the union for relief from this contractual right when the wheels fall off the wagon this summer.

Good luck with that. They can ask all they want. IVD/APD's are the only card we have left to play when coverage is (always) in the negative. If you don't mind taking a pay hit, and making it up later, it's a nice option to have to get needed time off.

The company wanted to reduce *allegedly abusive sick calls, so IVD's were negotiated as a way for pilots to ethically access time off. I don't see the pilot group being real willing to give them back unless we abolish sick leave verification.

APD and IVD removed trips can be paid out of the vacation bank.

So next year when Feb is back to normal we will increase 50% by that explanation.

BS

100 %, actually.

Someone should ask BS that same question.

For clarification, you can put an IVD on a trip to drop it and will be paid the value of the vacation day(s) you use to drop the trip. You will not get trip value. APDs are not paid. Correct me if I’m wrong.