Talking to some of the Drs I know, the biggest injury category in people over 40 is pickleball…..

 

This is comical, as one is assigned a SC usually by lunch time the day prior. So now the expectation is to call out sick two days prior every time?

Most folks I am assuming call out the evening prior to a REG trip, why should short call be any different.

To me it looks even more questionable of if one calls out of a reserve block too early before they even start.

 

As Whoops said, don't forget the healthcare bonanza known as pickleball! 😁 I know more than a handful of pilots who have gone out through short-term disability (used all their sick time) for that activity alone...

 

At least for me, I’m using starting to feel sick overnight/in the morning when I wake up, not before I go to bed.

 

I am not sure why the company thinks this is nefarious.

 

It's a few who have ruined it for all. I know plenty of folks who use all their sick time every year (As they should, since they earned it and it was negotiated into the PWA) and never get a GFB or a call period. Now, the folks who nonrev us KCM and or post pictures of their vacation on social media while actively on a sick call, they deserve to be harassed, or the guys/gals who wait for a RES SC assignment and then call out sick. It's simple: if you are sick, call out sick. Don't go to work sick (IMSAFE). If you feel you don't fall under the IMSAFE, then you are sick! Having said all that, I do agree GFB should go away.

 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, being assigned short call is what keeps the body's immune system in top shape preventing illness. It's better than diet, exercise, and supplements with the added bonus that Delta provides them free of charge so you don't have to use their amazing healthcare insurance.

 

Also when questioned about my activities while out sick (with ALPA present) they also don't seem to understand there's a lot of things that make me "unable to exercise the privileges of my first class medical" that makes me not legal to fly but perfectly fine.

Example. Couple years ago. Delta discontinued coverage for a medication my SI requires, and had me switch to another allowed medication. FAA requires 2 weeks no fly when changing medication and 72h when changing dose of current medication.

I was asked why I was at a mountain bike race while out sick. One of the ACPs saw me at the race (his kid races). We had to explain that while I was fine medically, FAA protocol required me to not fly for two weeks, and oh, by the way the med change was required because Delta changed the formulary again.

For the record I got 3rd in the 45+ Clydesdale (over 200#) group. on an ancient hardtail Trek 4500

Just because my medical isn't valid (temporarily) doesn't mean I'm laid up on the couch on an IV and ventilator. In a lot of cases its I'm running out the clock on FAA mandatory waits on dose changes, medication changes etc.

Or, I have a prescription for a very heavy duty muscle relaxer. I might have to take it 1-2 times a year. 8 days mandatory no fly even though I'm OK for all but flying the next day. (Day of, I'm in la-la land)

 

Nothing wrong with hardtails.
Signed, non Clydesdale 45++ Salsa Timberjack

 

I have a ProCaliber 6.7 which is the flex tail. That's actually great for taking the shock out of my back.