If they would have some sort of sick time cash out at the end of the year it would probably cut down on 75% of fraudulent sick calls. Like maybe 50% of your total bank or something. It would still give guys enough time to call off for actually being sick without pressuring guys monetarily to fly sick

 

Something tells me any negotiation for banked sick time is going to result in some concession to our total allotment which should be an absolute non-starter. Our sick time is the one area of our contract we shine in and we would never be able to claw back to what we have now imo.

 

They have to notify you within 3 days of the start of the sick occurrence, so unless you called in sick for a day trip, then the next day hopped on a plane to the Amazon jungle, you're probably fine. I can't remember but I think I had 10-14 days to get the note in. If not, I just wouldn't get paid for the sick occurrence.

With so many online options, it's just not that hard to get a note. My Dr scheduled me within a day for a telehealth visit over the holiday season. Is it a pain and a bit ridiculous, yes, but worth switching to an accumulation model over, absolutely not. Not for something that you MAY have to do a few times in a 30-40 year career. Some seem to be making the GFB a much bigger boogeyman than reality.

As far as the standard sick lookback requirements, if you're out enough to trigger that, you're likely already going to the Dr. In that case, a note isn't hard to get. Half the time the Dr asks if I need a work note before I even ask.

I say all this as someone who used to be adamantly against the note idea. But the more I see other models, the less it bothers me. When you have the ability to call in sick, potentially up to 150 hours without a note, or up to 4 months of the year, I just don't see it as a bridge too far to get a note. Would it be great if they went away, sure. But I can't see blowing capital on it when it's such a rare occurrence in the grand scheme of things.

 

The penalty for not verifying is loss of pay. A pattern of not verifying can result in further discipline.

 

As long as we have a generous allotment like we do (capping out at 270 hours) that's a non-starter for the company, and any reduction in sick hours is a non-starter for most pilots (myself included).

There are two types of sick leave systems out there. Delta's which gives us a generous annual allotment, but of course doesn't carry over, followed by a new allotment every June 1, and everyone else's, which gives you a much smaller allotment each year, but also allows a carryover.

I think in the grand scheme of things, the total costs to the companies is a wash. Depending on the individual pilot, and countless factors over the course of a hopefully long career, one system will be better than the other--and the opposite will hold true for others.

But we don't get our system, AND get some sort of carryover as well. The best we can do (and that is only since two contract cycles ago) is the Enhanced Disability Bank. That is a very, VERY slow method of accruing extra sick leave hours (sort of) as a secondary "reward" for having low sick leave usage years. The problem with it is that if you retire with a positive balance there, all you get is a pat on the back. I would like to see some way of converting those hours to pay, extra vacation days, or at least a payout at retirement! Our reps are aware.

 

Were you informed that this issue was being discussed by the NC with the company to negotiate a change to the agreement? Its a simple yes or no.

 

I find the question irrelevant because, functionally, nothing has changed. Instead of IA robo calls, it is done through ARCOS and in seniority order. And further restrictions on the use of 23m7 and an additional 100% for emergency coverage

 

The company is interested in cost control not additional compensation. What we have now is fine. Actually better than fine. It’s the best in the industry. GFB just got a lot less of a PITA. $20 tele-health is fine if you are verifying a GFB and you can probably get a prescription out of it.

 

You've been practicing...

 

I don't like this idea. Enough people show up to work sick. This would give people a financial incentive to show up to work while sick. No thanks.