We keep hearing this so I guess it's not going away. What do other companies do that's different? I might be for a system that monetized the hours that just vaporize every year but we definitely don't want a system that encourages people coming to work sick. Anyone have any insight into what's being discussed?

 

If you saw the data, why can it not be published? The pilot group is aging, sick leave is going to happen, in my neighborhood 3 out of the 4 pilots are 60+ and 3 needed operations, none of which were elective...why anyone would do an elective operation is beyond me.
Years ago when this subject came up at another carrier I asked our CEO why they were coming after us...since I knew very few that were using sick leave...the response was some of us were abusing sick leave (3%), go after them if its an insue.

As far as the younger guys, they have small children they get sick.

 

Who ever said it was of little or no value?

Carl

 

Bets on AE results. Close of business tomorrow.

 

NYC A goes just shy of 11,000. (10,950)

 

No need for confusion. I remember what it was before and it sucked. DALPA got it back to what it was before bankruptcy. I'm not the arbiter of cudos. But cudos to DALPA to getting back what was lost to that miserable bankruptcy.

My opinion is that DALPA will adjust OE replacement if that is one of the things DAL wants and in return will bring us a very nice TA. If vocal pilots call their reps and say not to give it up, then there's a chance it will remain as is. But RA himself mentioned this tiny little good deal in our contract. Isn't that weird?

 

12 to 18 sickouts a year seems to get their attention. And they have looked at every quantifiable aspect of the issue. Sickouts by base, age, seat, category, day of the week, holidays, super bowl...

"ENTITLED" I could run with that, but I shall refrain.

 

I'm around 11,000. Just before the bid closed it showed only a few people senior to me bidding NYC 717A. NYC-A might fall to 2010 hires this bid.

 

Many years ago, (16+) I was in the same situation with 4 young kids in the house, bringing home every bug imaginable from their schools, and passing it on to me. So I was called in by the Chief Pilot to 'explain' my 4 sickouts earlier that year.

When I told him about the kids, he said, "Ok, I understand. The company is cracking down on sick leave, they want me to call in anyone who's had more than 3 sickouts in a year, you are just barely over that, so no biggie, see you later."

One of the reasons we moved to Florida was so the kids could get outside more, they were locked indoors at school with all the germs, all winter, when we lived in NH and I was sick about 3-4 times every winter.

 

WRT

and this:

Put me down as incredulous.

I don't doubt that there are sick rate abusers, but the fact that there would be abusers doesn't mean the entire system is broke, and looking for an overall fix. The company wants to reduce expenditures, and you're just pushing an argument that tangentially helps. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.

Exhibit B is the OE issue. You're an enlightened guy, and you "get" the sick issue because you've seen the data, but your analysis is that the OE issue is "tiny" a mere "small bone" ALPA is sure to give away? On the one hand, you are the guy that's trying to tell us that OE concessions are the biggest thing ("maybe the only thing") RA asked for, and yet... it's no big deal. On the one hand, you wish it weren't so (that a deal on OE concessions and Sick changes is a foregone conclusion), but on the other, this is where we're naturally headed.

You seem to me to be much smarter than your two posts above. Because I think you know better, it gives you the appearance of being duplicitous. Not the best day, in terms of your credibility.

Not so weird as you hammering the point for the third time, really. Let the negotiators negotiate privately.