Why no long call?
 

Hell, even Mesa is offering it now. This seems like one of the greatest QOL improvements for those commuting. Did I miss something or was this just not that big of an issue for the Envoy pilots prior to me?

Yep Mesa's latest TA has long call in there. This airline runs on reserves, it would be nice to get some relief....

Call your rep and let them know that is something you would like in our next round of negotiations.

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Simply put, certain managers don't think new-hires care about reserve so they are not inclined to fix it.

Fixed it for you. Truth is, Envoy Management is afraid any changes to the reserve system will end up being more inefficient for the company with too many improvements given to the pilots. (Given the current "buyer's market" that industry finds itself in)

We had a TA at some point (I can't remember when but we voted NO so it never happened) that included some Long Call language. But to give you an idea as to what the company would be willing to change, that language only included a provision that "at least 10% of the RSV lines would be Long Call."

But to give you insight into how the company loves to include loopholes and caveats to their advantage, I point out that the language specifically said that at least 10% of the LINES would be Long Call. As you know, all the of various bases have a limited number of reserve LINES that are multi awarded to the cadre of reserve pilots, numbering 3 to 4 times the number of lines. So what was being advertised during the TA Roadshows was that "at least 10% of RSV pilots would be Long Call", but given the semantics of the contractual language, out of 50 to 60 RSV Pilots, only two of them would have been awarded a LC RSV Line. Kind of like the Relief Line. Great for the ONE guy that gets it, but not much of a benefit for the RSV Pilots as a whole.

I agree with the OP though. Many airlines, regionals included, operate very efficiently utilizing the LC concept. Even though the LC pilots get a 10 to 13 hour call out period, all open flying is initially assign to LC Pilots, leaving the SC pilots to take the last minute/standby stuff. Commuters win by bidding LC and the locals win by getting to sit at home (until called in to be one of the 20 or so guys sitting airport standby ). Both the company and the pilot group would benefit to bringing Section 12 into compliance with FAR 117 and improving some of the RSV QOL items but the Managers currently in control at envoy have no desire to change the status quo. Until the membership forces ALPA to take a stand on the RSV rules, nothing will change for envoy reserve pilots. And that is what it will take, the pilots as a whole, forcing ALPA to force the company to finally address the issue. (For reference, I suggest you ask around about how APA was able to get AMR to negotiate a contract after the US Bankruptcy Court approved the AA's implementation of their 1113 Contract. In short, you have to convince the company that negotiating a change to Section 12 of the contract is cheaper than continuing to operate with such an unhappy workforce. Money always talks with these people[and by extension, on time performance]. Hit them were it hurts and they will not only come to the table, they will bring donuts.)

because at envoy, you are never home long enough for a long call out.

This is not my experience at all. I was home half the month in May with no vacation time taken. June, over a 1/3rd of the month at home. I've restarted my business to keep busy.

I thought that I noticed your website back up and running

Inop2's Business

Good to see you back in the industry. I still laugh when I think about that time we did Janet Reno's Party together. Crazy times.

Yeah I can see how the language often differs from reality and I can also understand that it should be limited to a certain percentage of the reserve line.

Either way I feel like there could be a happy middle ground in regards to reserve rules. Thank you for the input.

Couple things need clarification.

1 - LCR isn't commutable. 8pm call for a 6 am show?? What city can do this?

2- The number of reserve (not including relief or composite) LINES awarded is contractually required to be proportional. 60 reserve pilots with ten different lines means 6 pilots per line. Comp/relief is awarded one pilot per line. If LCR is awarded as a normal reserve line then slightly less than 10% would be awarded LCR even if 10% of the lines were LCR. I see no way under our current assignment of reserve to have 10% pilots on LCR unless specifically stated in the contract.

3. I think there are better ways to improve our reserve system than LCR. Allowing commuters (or anyone who volunteers for the turn back list) to bid for trips multiple days in advance. Why have a trip sit in OT until the day prior?

Please don't think that my intention was to encourage acceptance of the status quo or pacifism. No time in the regional airline history have circumstances been better posed to make improvements to monetary and QOL issues like Section 12 like it is today. I wish you all the luck as your fight the fight that so many have fought before and hopefully you will have more success than we did. Things like reserve QOL are especially difficult because you have to muster support within the union first, before you even start fighting the company. To the sufficiently motivated individual though, few endeavors could improve the QOL of so many.

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"3. I think there are better ways to improve our reserve system than LCR. Allowing commuters (or anyone who volunteers for the turn back list) to bid for trips multiple days in advance. Why have a trip sit in OT until the day prior?"

This is called OT. And when you pick it up it goes on top of your line value. Reserves can pick up OT as well. I do feel it is too restrictive for reserves because they only allow you to pick it up if it can in no way limit them from starting you at 4am or keeping you going till midnight.

The REASON we don't have long call reserve is because A) Ric Wilson issued an edict that envoy ONLY has short call reserve and B) the company has refused to negotiate in good faith to make our contract compliant with Part 117.

It's not so much they refuse to negotiate in good faith. They simply refuse to negotiate at all.

Unless they get the DP. They love getting DP.

Then they pinky swore they'd come back and fix reserve. In 2 years.

DP? What does double penitration have to do with it?

Bring over a bottle of lube and I'll show ya.

But but but we got displacement language relief to them.....

I'm fed up

I think it was Sam Poole (spel?) that came by the dfw pilot lounge a couple of months ago with a few other reps and lunch and answered that. Said the pilots voted it down. Probably intangled with other issues that didn't look good? It's my understanding the contract we have now is inferor to what we could have had.

I welcome Sam's input DIRECTLY to clearify.

That Swiss cheese document was garbage.

Almost all of this is inaccurate.