Vacancy v. Base swapping
 

My previous experience did not couple vacancy with base swapping as the system here seems to do. I'm wondering if that was purposefully designed this way (and if so, why) or if it is an unintended consequence of the current bid process.

If a junior person upgrades because a vacancy is available in a base that is not their first choice, they can be "trapped" there until no senior folks want to upgrade. If all they want to do is swap bases with other similarly situated aircraft/seat pilots, many, many bid periods can pass before they are allowed to simply swap bases with others that also want to swap.

While I agree, senior folks should get first shot at upgrade slots, I'm not sure I understand why those already working aircraft/seat assignments are prevented from swapping bases.

So open fire and fill me in, or just be nice and explain it...thanks in advance!

Nobody’s prevented from swapping bases. You just need to wait until your seniority can hold it.

You're just stuck in an odd spot where the growth has been stagnant.

Requiring a vacancy is pretty standard in the industry, and pilots are who want it as it protects seniority.

There was a Mutual Inter-Domicile Transfer process at Envoy that allowed those interested to swap with others. It was managed by the union once per month names were pulled and if there was a match, the next bid period you were able to swap.

It was completely outside of the companies control, since it was always one in one out, they didn't seem to care. Wonder if something similar could be used here.....

I haven't been at edv in more than a year but i know the union floated that idea a while back and planning was obstinate about it. EDV used to have to control EVERYTHING. Automated processes by flica had to be vetted before theyd consider allowing negotiations letting us trade something to use the process.

Bring it up to the union then hit them on it every month. Only way to get anything done.

That would be the biggest problem to over come. Micromanaging at its finest.
Don’t forget to start your APU!

A big pushback is that it prevents someone senior who wants that seat and base but isn't in that seat from being able to bid for it and allowing someone junior to hold that position.

That's why the MIDT at Envoy worked in seniority order, you had to bid on it. Then it was done from most senior to junior. Also same aircraft to same aircraft. And you couldn't MIDT to be the plug.

http://eagle.alpa.org/Home/ArticleVi...eral-Info.aspx

The "same aircraft to same aircraft" is the rub.