ugh, what a ugly month for commutabilty. Haven't had to resort to 9am report times since I was a newhire. :(

Tax question:

Three items on the paycheck: DPMA, ALPA BEN, and ALPA DUES

I know dues are tax deductible. Are DPMA and/or ALPA BEN deductible?

Thanks in advance.

I know DPMA is not tax deductible, and that's why if you ever need to use it, it is not taxed as income.

I don't know what ALPA BEN is.

ALPA PAC is not deductible.

Dobs and enuf, tried it, no success. Tried using a mini display to hdmi cable too, no luck. The surface will show both devices (TV and external drive) but it's like I can't interact with them. Dunno, as is obvious in not a computer guy. Guess I'll stick with the Roku when on the road. Kargo

What happens if you have MLOA scheduled (and approved in iCrew) on the last day of a bid period, yet PBS awards a trip that starts at 2345 the day prior to the start of the next bid period? How can I get awarded a carry-in trip while out on approved MLOA?

Read: I have MLOA on the 31st of March, the Apr bid period starts the 1st, yet my first trip of the Apr bid period starts on the 31st of March at 2345.

I'm sure I'll get it dropped by calling a chief pilot, but am I pay protected as a line holder? Likewise, if I were to fly this trip, wouldn't I be in violation of the FOM (double dipping)?


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What is the order of drops, swaps and pickups? Also, do they do all three for each person in seniority order or is it all of one in seniority order then the next? TIA

thanks Timbo

If you are referring to PCS functions, please be precise in your language. A "drop" is a Personal Drop, swap is Swap with the Pot (don't worry about the capital letters though :D) and a "pickup" is a White Slip.

Why do I come across as a middle-school language arts teacher? Because all those terms DO mean something on the Swap Board, which is an entirely different animal than the 4x daily PCS runs (which don't start until the 20th for next month runs).

But to answer your questions, there is an entire longer hierarchy, but PCS first processes personal drops, then white slips, then swap with the pot.

PCS processes every personal drop from the #1 pilot all the way to the plug, then white slips from top to bottom. So a junior guy will get to white slip a trip before a senior guy gets to swap for it, because all white slips come before any swap (of course the senior guy would get the white slip before a junior guy would).

The Pilot to Pilot Swapboard has similar functions, but is implemented completely separately from the PCS runs. Some guys never look at the Swapboard but always check PCS open time, and vice versa. That is why many of us always advise to check both the PCS open time and the Swapboard to see what is out there, or if trying to drop a trip. More venues used adds to your chance of successfully improving your schedule.

That was a long answer to a short question. 😂
But you are right the terms matter. You explained it perfectly as I meant it. Thanks for the help HF.
Low and slow!

Check out Ed's latest news feed. He's really turning up the heat on the ME3. Great speech, no punches held. Good for him.