To be fair, FMLA for the 5th only would cause the 4-day trip on the 2nd to drop entirely, even though FMLA would only be on the 5th. That would not inhibit picking anything up on the 2nd through the 4th. It would work in the same fashion as an APD for the 5th only with the only real difference being the parameters required to use it in the first place (coverage vs qualifying under the federal statute guidelines).

Years ago I knew of a handful of pilots that were allowed to block their schedules after we had filed and won the grievance barring the blocking of schedules. In every case at the time, there were verifiable threats to the pilot's wellbeing involved. Most, if not all had police reports involved with the issues. The blocking of the schedule was only executed after concurrence from senior flight ops leadership (think Burns and above) and the MEC Chairman, Scheduling Chairman and Contract Admin Chairman. It was no small task to accomplish back then and I have no reason to think that would have changed.

I don't doubt that this pilot has had something terrible impact their life that necessitated the schedule block and the same could be said for qualifying to use the FMLA. It also sounds like they understand it's better to get paid premium pay than single pay in accordance with our PWA.

 

Oh this schedule blocking thing has just gotten silly. If someone has a legitimate threat against them then FIRE the threat.

 

My $.02... if anyone drops a trip using exotic methods (MIL leave and FMLA certainly fit this bill) and subsequently GS a trip over that time same period, that is abuse. Using 1 FMLA day to drop a 4 day trip is what's wrong. Since it is supposedly an emergency situation that causes one to drop a trip, that FMLA should be put over that entire trip.

 

you have a trip, 10-14, you NEED the 10th dropped for a legit FMLA reason. That’s between you, the company, and the union. What happens on days 11-14 is entirely not anyone else’s business if it’s within the bounds of the contact. Imho.

 

I’d be willing to bet that the very same people saying the above have serious issues with people exploiting loopholes in the US tax code. Even if it’s legal, they still start screaming at the sky. Just because it’s legal and within the bounds of the contract doesn’t make it a good idea.

 

When you have a leave of absence that conflicts only with a portion of a trip, then company only has to clear your schedule for the day(s) of the leave. They could modify your trip and leave you on the remaining days, they just never do that.

 

They did it to me. Had a 6 day trip and submitted to pilot leaves a legit issue. They dropped everything for that day and after but had me fly everything prior and right up to it. It sounds like MLOA and FMLA drop an entire trip that touches those days. Maybe that part should change.

 

They do this when it favors them but not the pilot. Plenty of mil pilots would love to retain a portion of their trip and pay when (for instance), they just need one or two days for a mandatory drill weekend they couldn’t hold off. But alas, there’s no mechanism to drop only specific conflict days. The company, though, will find a way to put you to work if they’re short. Funny how that works.

 

No argument. But that should change in the contract. Too late for this one, but you can do it in the next one in about 7-8 years


Exactly like that greenslip with guys on furlough.

 

Not me. I hope a certain ex president gets a refund