You're going to have to show your math on that one. When a trip is dropped with mil leave, CS doesn't arbitrarily put it on a senior pilot's schedule. It gets there via GS (volunteer) or possibly IA. Technically not volunteer, but pilots treat them like GS#0 and no trigger. In your 23-26 Dec example, what was the outcome? Broken trip for credit surfers (win) or GS for a volunteer (win)? The only way a senior pilot "loses" is if a junior pilot beat them to the IA call.

For preposted mil leave every junior pilot is effectively bidding one number senior because the pilot on leave is passed over. The single exception is for coverage awards where the shxt rolls uphill.

I don't like the optics of aggressive and creative use of mil leave, but for the pilot group as a whole it's a win. The downstream impact is more premium pay and higher staffing with a few pilots complaining about someone else getting a good deal.

One of my personal mil leave stories is when the CP called my to question my use over Super Bowl weekend. "Did the military really need me? and "Could I reschedule my drill weekend?" I gave him the commander's number and asked if he would request my release from drill to work for Delta, which is a legitimate request an employer can make. It was a night drill and my best chance of watching the game was at work on a layover. The CP refused to make the call. It was purely harassment with no intention of actually getting me released to work for Delta. If Delta wanted me at work, they could have asked. The interaction taught me that Delta doesn't care about the staffing impact of mil leave, only the legality. Drop at will!

 

My personal favorite was when my CPO office called the squadron to question short notice mil leave. I answered the phone. CP said they needed to speak to the most senior officer available to see if F/O CX500T was actually performing drill.

"well this is the XO, LCDR CX500T, I answered the squadron land line, so yes I am actually at the unit"

"I NEED TO TALK TO THE CO"

"He's out on a Casualty Assistance call, he will be back in a couple days"

THIS IS MORE IMMPORTANT

"No, it's not, email the form you want to [email protected] and he will do it"

 

We'll just have to leave this simply as a difference in opinion. I doubt SS changes in the next contract.

Search "Optimize your schedule" in the EFB

 

Why wouldn’t you? Known 2x pay trip versus waiting around for the GS lotto and not having to hold out for those big $ 4 or 5 days. If I was senior enough to grab more than 1 I’d bid REG and grab 2 and get rid of my other trips and work 8-10 known days a month. Although, I do fine as a senior RES working 4-6 days per month but I still am on the hook for more.

 

Most people can, they just don't think they can because "it's all negative." The moments notice thing is a bit over exaggerated. Yes, some are last minute, and obviously it's easier as a local. With 2nd day coverage, many of the great credit trips are assigned a day or two in advance. The idea that people hover over iCrew and are on ready 5 alert all the time, just isn't true. If you're on the 73N/320, it would be even easier.




Or he got some good reroutes, 8D3, etc... Pay, credit....the term credit is so jacked here. But ya, if it's none of that, then no way I'd work that much. But to each their own, maybe the summers aren't his thing or maybe hes single/no kids. Work like crazy now and drop a lot the rest of the year. With that much pay, they
guy could probably drop the entire rest of the year and be fine. It’s what makes this job great.

 

Not most people can. A certain percent can but the entire BES cannot just drop and pick up garbage as a strategy. And, in lower ALV months, the top 10% will vacuum up just about anything. I know, I've done it several times. At less than 20%, there were a few times I had to accept non-commutable trips, waste money on a hotel because all of the super senior surfers got everything.

Regarding the high credit guy, it's being represented as something that anyone can do. You can't count on reroutes or 8D3 pay as a bidding strategy.

 

Agreed that most of a category can't, it's just more than people think. I just don't agree it's only senior because I've flown with enough junior FOs doing it. Some just have to be a little more flexible. I think its also base/category dependent. ATL has a lot more than most, which is why you see such high seniority numbers in the top part of the left and right seat of NB down there. Some bases/categories have far fewer pilots going it. Also agree that those things are fleeting and not going to be a great long term strategy to be relied upon. But I have no doubt he could have done it for those 3 months. Unless they're one of those side deal guys we keep hearing about, then it could be all year lol.

 

Because when they do it, it affects every single military member at Delta. Their actions to commit fraud with USERRA has far reaching effects to everyone who is under that system.

Under your philosophy, I guess we should just mind our own business too with people who are doing side deals with CS to steal trips right? I mean why do you care if they violate the PWA? Mind your business and let them live their life right?

 

I've read the last few pages of posts regarding this and your posts related to this.

I fail to see what the issue is other than somehow our Military service members taking mil leave, which is their perogitive, somehow upsets you

So what? None of your business. You are totally besmirching the vast majority of our service members with this stuff.

If the chiefs think it's perhaps being abused by a very very very very small select few they can call the individuals commander and get the straight story, which usually turns out that the service member is indeed doing their duty serving our country.

Let it go. Let's get back to how we are still not being paid properly. That's something affecting many of us.

 

Guess you missed the part where he said that people were taking mil leave without performing duties. That's not their prerogative, that's illegal. And it affects all of us in the military who work with Delta. It is our business.

How is that besmirching us service members?