Because the idea of the APD is not to dump a crappy trip and pick up a better one, that is what swap with the pot is for. An APD was designed to allow you to make an important family/life event that you would otherwise not be able to avoid work for.

I believe APD used to be authorized leave. Big difference, you got paid for the trip.

Get Some..
 

http://www.metro.us/news/local-news/...n-human-rights

$30k lighter in the wallet.. Fu(k the man... ftw

Just got me new efb case. Wow! Take a heavy POS and make it heavier. Good news is that its bulkier too:(

Swap with the pot doesn't work if you want to drop a trip and pick up something from the swap board.

APD should be whatever I want to use it for. Do you really think the company would object if I used my APD but still flew a trip on the same days?

APD use is for whatever you want. Nobody gets a say in that other than you (and I guess the company, a little, if you consider the blackout dates associated with its use).

If you want to pick up a trip just remember to only drop the APD on day 1. You're then able to pick up on days 2, 3, and 4.

You only get one per year. Choose wisely, grasshopper.

Does the APD carry over to the next year if you don't use it?

No. Further, you have to use it prior to the end of the bid period BEFORE your anniversary date.

If you were hired Nov 10, you need to use your current-year APD by 31OCT. If you use an APD in November you won't get another one until 01NOV of next year.

Swap with the pot works fine as long as you dont leave any days uncovered with less than required reserve coverage. If a 4 or 5 day is better than your 4 day or even with crappy coverage, as long as the days overlap, your swap with pot will go through.

I just in fact traded a 6 day with the last three days over a weekend without reserves for a 3 day that cover those three days.

The idea of the APD (ran first in PCS in fact) was that once a year if a pilot needed to drop a trip for whatever reason and get that day off, he/she should get preference and without regard to reserve coverage (holidays not withstanding).

Oh, just noticed you said swap board.
That is true, but if the trip goes over low reserve coverage days, then that individual doesn't have a way to drop it and for you to get it, unless he wants to swap with you.
Best of luck.

I have heard stories from my mentees that mirror your friend's experience with theirs. That really bums me out because a good/bad mentor can set the tone for a new hire's career.

I tell my mentees I don't have all the answers and to trust but verify even what I tell them. That hopefully forces them to dig into the manuals, documents, and PWA so they learn to become more self-sufficient.