scambo1

my guess is that the seniority would mirror the 73n category.

capncrunch

In SLC it's a bit junior to the 73n.

Ferd149

Yup, the LAX flying doesn't have the variety that I was used to in MSP. But, I didn't transfer till LAX started getting some of the Asia flying then I followed it out. I'm not sure if the SLC ER will further dilute the Asia flying or if it will come out of MSP. Until we get SEA and PDX back from Alaska, I don't see how they can build rotations out to Hawaii except for the crappy 3 day 11ish hour trips (ie, LAX > HNL > SEA > MSP > LAX). Homie don't do those crappy 3 day'ers unless I can't hit the AVL without one.

Make the move your dudeness, you'll make a killing in real estate right now.......that and it's blue skys and 65.

Ferd

Herkflyr

Aren't those contradictory statements? You can't both "notice more guys flying sick" and also observe that "I bet sick leave usage has increased under this contract." I would bet quite a bit that sick leave usage has declined quite a bit ever since the current crappy rules came into being.

I've always had a hard time with both the sick leave abusers and the guys who fly sick. Some fly sick to "save money" and some because they somehow think they are doing DAL a perverse favor. They most assuredly are not.

If you even have to ask yourself, "Am I good to go to fly this trip?" much less hacking up your guts...call in sick right away. Don't get anyone else sick just because you think you can man up! On the other hand, if you screwed up bidding or wish your one-week vacation could somehow turn into two, you don't call in sick just to make things all better scheduling-wise. We have to better than the schmucks in mgmt. Calling in sick "just because" merely relegates us to their thieving level.

slowplay

I'd like more sick leave too, but I have a different point of view on the CBA system.

Remind me again what the CBA incentive to not abuse sick leave was? Did it incent people to fly sick (as Cog thinks our policy does?).

As I recall the CBA accrued 5 hours per month sick leave with a cap of 1200 hours. The PWA accrues differently in that you're granted the equivalent of 8+20 per month, and it's front loaded to 300 hours that reloads every three years. Your annual expenditure is capped at 240 hours prior to transitioning to disability/dpma. That's 120 hours or 67% more sick leave accrued each year than the CBA.

For guys that had more than 1200 hours, the DPMA top-up benefit lets them use all of that time. They get the advantage of the higher yearly accrual (they got nothing under the CBA) and have pay protection.

The PWA system is different, granted, but the PWA 75% trigger is way past the CBA's accrual rate and 75% trigger. For those that moved into this system with less than 1200 hours of sick leave (over half the group) this system offers far more protection.

johnso29

Very true. If a new guy only receives 5 hours per month it takes almost half a year to cover ONE 5 day! THAT encourages people to fly sick IMO. I think the current system is a good one.

forgot to bid

the question is will its opening mean a draw down in 88 or 73 flying and surpluses there?

now I think it would be a major consideration by most but we do have some that have their heads stuck in their nether regions when it comes to the Airbus. Seen it in the crewroom with such gems as:

Random Captain: "What are you doing here?"
ALPA Rep: "Listening tour. Anything you want us to work on?"
Random Captain: "Yeah, get rid of the Airbuses."

or

Loud know it all to buddy but for everyone to hear: "Yeah the dirty secret about that UsAir flight that landed in the Hudson was that it had FADECs so as soon as one engine shut off the other one went to idle. Thats how its designed."

So what does that mean? There's a chance for a good category seniority on a good plane. My hesitation is being in a new category where 50% is still reserve.

scambo1

I think what he was saying is that under the current system (theoretically) more people come to work still contagious and infect co-workers, therby increasing sick leave useage because more people are now sick as the result. A little contradictory, maybe, but I understand the logic.

I totally agree, if you are sick, call in sick. If you think you are contagious, definitely call in sick. (TIC: if you think you are going to be sick in an international category, call in at least 24 hours in advance)

I still think there should be some kind of system that addresses the longer to heal things (without being on disability) without penalizing the pilot. Maybe there is, I just am not aware of it.

Now there is another side to the coin which all of the commuting is a choice crowd and dont abuse sick leave crowd refuse to look at and refer to as abuse: Sick leave is a personnel cost/benefit...It is alreay worked into the benefits package for each employee ie: It is costed out as part of the compensation package. Many employers, the federal government included, accept as a standard practice that sick leave is used for snow days, childcare coverage, extending vacations, etc. I am not taking a side on this part of the arguement, just presenting the reality. And before you poke me in the eye, realize that I am not even close to my 75% threshhold.

maddogmax

I am the first to admit that the sick leave policy is very confusing to us North guys. I do know that under the NWA sick leave policy, with 1200 hrs of sick leave, I would have been entitled to 15 mos. of pay at 80 hrs./mo paid at 100%.
When I return to work on Mar 1, I will have used all of my 240 hrs of sick leave. What happens If I get sick in May?

MoonShot

Look no further than MSPM88B for a prime example of this.