Simple. Perhaps not for some though as it would appear.

A contract is a contract. If you don't force what is in it, then you don't really have one.

 

cni, I can think of many times that I do not have my phone on me. Granted, I love sporting activities.
-I don't bring my phone water skiing, swimming, tubing, or any other water sport.
-I typically don't hear my phone cycling. (yes, I'll do 5 hour rides)
-If I'm at the gym, my phone is in the locker. I don't want to leave it out since it can get stolen along with all my other possessions. I will spend multiple hours here
-I silence my phone golfing or leave it in the car. (That may be 4 hours for 18)
-I don't carry my phone when out for a run. (granted I do not do 2 hour runs)

Not everyone sits around with their phone all day. If I have a 9 hour leash to respond compared to a 2 hour leash, it is a HUGE DEAL.

I'm sure there are other people that have separate issues as well. (none of these apply to me)
What if you are into GA flying your own plane? Is it reasonable that you can't get to your phone in 2 hours? How about religious or other types of church services where you don't have access to your phone?

 

Spoken like a true city-dweller. Some of us country folk are often out of cell coverage or doing chores with loud machinery that make being tethered to the technology problematic.

 

And what about in an airplane (wifi may or may not work) and most importantly "sleep." Knowing you can turn off that cell during prime sleep hours and not only filter out Skeds, but other random phone calls, is huge.

A long call pilot is now on a 2 hour response leash instead of 9 and that is whining?

 

DALPA has responded to Dickson's letter ---

The MEC Contract Administration Committee put this out yesterday afternoon:

Q. Do you feel the new long call acknowledgement policy outlined in the Flight Operations All Pilots Letter dated December 6, 2013 complies with our contract?
A. The Company and the Association disagree about FAR 117’s interaction with the mutually negotiated provisions of the PWA.
• The Company believes the PWA language says that a pilot must make himself available for a trip that is placed on his line 12 hours prior to report and that the new FAR 117 prospective rest requirement changes the timeline under which a pilot is expected to acknowledge an assignment.
• The Association believes the PWA language with regards to acknowledgement remains unchanged and that the required prospective rest period cannot begin until after a pilot has acknowledged an assigned trip or short call conversion.

Q. What guidance would you give the pilot group concerning the requirement for a long call pilot to acknowledge a trip or short call within 2 hours of assignment? Since it appears to be in direct violation of our contract as it exist today.
A. As stated above, the Association believes the PWA language with regards to acknowledgement remains unchanged and that the required prospective rest period cannot begin until after a pilot has acknowledged an assigned trip or short call conversion.


Q. What ramifications could a pilot expect for following the contract vs the Flight Operations All Pilots letter?
A. If a pilot’s schedule or pay were to be negatively impacted as the result of complying with our contract, the pilot should prepare to file a grievance. The Delta MEC’s Contract Administration Committee will help you work through the process but the basic steps are:
1. Contact your LEC representatives, go to your chief pilot and request any necessary corrections.
2. If the request is denied, contact Contract Administration and they will help you write a grievance.

 

WestJet did a great job here:WestJet Christmas Miracle: real-time giving - YouTube

 

By "massive whine festival", do you mean your own post?

 

Definitely an appropriate response, IMO.

 

I am the .00000000001%

 

Thanks for posting the language, ftb.