that is a bad example though because the company basically just got everything they wanted. So it can really only be done if we give in like in 2015.

 

I get broken trips from out of base all the time with "for RES coverage only". These trips never see the trip coverage ladder, they just parcel up an undesirable turd in an understaffed base, throw on some DHs, and custom tailor for the guy sitting reserve. I can't find where in the contract that practice is legal but they do it so often there has to be a stipulation somewhere.

 

You make many valid points - 5 years of FO pay as a Captain ain’t one of them. As an FO at the time my pay went down to $85/hr.
Using your comparison what did the FOs get?

Scoop

 

well...furlough for one. 😎

 

It’s entirely legal to move flying from one base to another. Steps 7 or 8 in the trip coverage ladder section 23. The trip coverage ladder should be book marked by every pilot. They are required to DH you to and from the trip and the trip must be flown by a reserve pilot only if moved to another base. They can break up a trip prior to moving it to another base but they then must put the broken piece back through the trip coverage ladder. They can’t custom tailor anything.
This is vastly different from combining different trips into one trip for reserve assignment.
i highly doubt your statement they never see the trip coverage ladder. You for sure know that would not be legal and would have contacted ALPA about the trips.

 

This has been addressed by ALPA more than once. Check out page 71 of the Scheduling Reference Handbook...you know, that very helpful guide that your Scheduling Committee has worked very hard on...and it is in your Aerodocs app on the company issued iPad. You'd be amazed at some of the stuff out there that guys "just can't find."

Reserve-Only Trips

The following remark is sometimes added at the bottom of a rotation: “rotation must go to a reserve,” or “reserve only.” This type of remark indicates that the rotation was moved from another domicile that did not have adequate reserves to cover the rotation to a domicile that does have adequate reserves to fly the rotation.
For example, suppose there is a trip in open time in the SLC base that is being covered by Crew Scheduling more than 12 hours prior to report. As the scheduler goes through the trip coverage process, he follows the trip coverage steps in Section 23 N. If he reaches step seven (no available pilots in steps one through six), he looks for an available reserve pilot in the same position at another base. If he finds an available reserve pilot in another base, he adds/removes deadhead legs on each end of the trip as needed and awards it to that pilot as an out-of-base reserve. He also adds the remark “reserve only” to the bottom of the rotation.
The trip coverage process causes these rotations to be temporarily added to the list of open time for the base which has the available reserve, with the comment that it must go to a reserve pilot. A regular linehold- er in that base may see the trip and wonder why he may not be awarded the flying on a white slip. Regular lineholders in that base had their shot at this trip via step six—“out-of-base regular pilots who have submitted white slips (in seniority order).” Although it may be a good-looking trip, it is actually a SLC trip that is being assigned at step seven and it must go to a reserve pilot.

My only heartburn with the whole issue (which has been a contractual provision my entire 23 years here) is this statement from the SRH.: "Regular lineholders in that base had their shot at this trip via step six—“out-of-base regular pilots who have submitted white slips (in seniority order).”

I have contended before (and still do) that there is a HUGE difference between a trip that has to originate in a base (requiring out of base pilots to commute in and out on their own, JS etc) vs a trip that has DHs on either end--the first is more hassle than it is worth for most guys considering an OOBWS vs the second, which is the very dream of an out of base guy! Hard to say "out of base guys had their shot" when you are really comparing two different things.

 

I've been on reserve (by choice usually) for most of my time here. So I have flown lots of broken trips. As Sailing said, if they are combining trips from different bases, you should be talking to ALPA.

I've never had that happen - if it's not a trip from my base, the trip is built with a DH to join the rotation somewhere, fly the rotation. Then, when I reach the base it was started in, I either DH back to my base or layover and DH home the next day. Usually at the bottom of the rotation they'll say a note like, "NEED TO CVR Off SLC 01FEB/1222" which is the original SLC (in this case) rotation.

 

The reason we do not allow the trips to be white slipped once moved to another base is the next steps are a GS in base. I have often watched the company move a trip to another base and for one reason or another not be able to cover it with a reserve. It then must be returned to the original base and covered via greenslip.

 

Of course nothing in life is guaranteed but with several thousand more mandatory retirements, I would guess most current list pilots will advance nicely in the next 5-7 years. As for doom and gloom scenarios, they would affect those in retirement as well. 401K, social security etc.
As for what I am willing to give in this contract.......How about 25% DC for 25+ years, offset my the "plus up" money for the retirees. Not to mention all the other parts of the contract we improve that impact pay and retirement

 

Simple. He puts "5 years extra time at the top of the payscale" yet F/Os benefit directly from those payrates as well. And they'll get those magical extra 5 years as well. Gotta do it both ways.