There is a new template now to request a time for only if needed. There was an email from alpa about it last week. It is part of LOA 29.

That change occurs next month Ferd.

Story of my life:D

But I'll be ready for next time!

Based on the new short call bucket system I have a question. What bucket system takes priority, RAW or short call bucket? Here's the scenario:

Everyone on call is in bucket 1 based on RAW and bucket 2 based on Short Call. You are in bucket 2 based on RAW but bucket 1 based on Short Call. So is it likely you will get short call even though you are in bucket 2 based on RAW?

Thanks.

RAW value has no bearing when assigning SC. SC buckets and RAW buckets are entirely separate.

From Scheduling Alert 12-06

Please note that RAW value grouping and short call group are not the same. RAW value is not considered when assigning short call periods. Within each short call group, pilots who have submitted a yellow slip to be first in sequence for short call will be considered first, in seniority order, followed by pilots who have not submitted a yellow slip to be first in sequence for short call, in inverse seniority order. A pilot will only be considered first in sequence for the short call period(s) that match the stipulations of his yellow slip. He will be considered in inverse seniority order for all other short call periods. A pilot with six or more short call credits will be considered for conversion to additional short call periods if he has submitted a yellow slip to be first in sequence for short call and indicated a desire for more than six short calls on his yellow slip request.

I read it that they are different buckets. RAW has its own bucket and SC has its own. So if you are in bucket 2 on RAW and in bucket 1 on SC, then yes you will get some SC your way.

I guess the APA/USAPA deal isn't really linked to what we negotiate:

US Airways Walks Tightrope in American Airlines Merger Plan - WSJ.com

"...US Airways' offer would provide pilots an immediate 5.5% raise and 3% increases a year for five years, according to American's Allied Pilots Association union. After that, the contract could be reset to an average of the compensation at rivals United Continental Holdings Inc. and Delta Air Lines Inc. Meanwhile, no American pilots would be furloughed..."

Seems like a fairly cheap price to deliver the keys to the kingdom to Parker. To Doug Parker.

Compared to a 20% paycut in BK? I think that is a pretty good deal, with a 7 year fence. And, we don't know if that WSJ article is completely accurate. The APA notes probably were fairly close. It did say 5.5% the first year, but then DL equal within 2 years, and then the average UA/DL within 5. It would be a huge gain for the USAir pilots, though. Anything that raises the bar for our closest competitors is good for us. We supposedly are doing a lot better than they are, right? We have more promise, right? That's what they say.... until Dalpa gets involved and again tries to manage expectations, because it is easier for them to do that then actually negotiate..... NO EXCUSES BOYS.