FXDX

Here LAG2, Kronan, Purple Tool Box, Adler and FXLAX:

I will make this easy on you, PLEASE continue your discussion of our commuter policy or lack there of in this thread.

Leave the hiring thread to actual hiring info, PLEASE.

Discuss.

Thank you.

busdriver12

Thanks for starting the thread, FXDX.

One thing I had not read about before is that someone mentioned you aren't protected from the letter in your file if you book business, only staging. Does anyone know if that's true? Problem is, business can bump you every time, so if you really want to get there...book business. Is that in print anywhere, or just rumor?

KnightFlyer

This has been covered many a time. Business is protected like staging.


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Adlerdriver

I don’t think it matters. It does specify staging in the contract. However, it’s my opinion that when that language was written that word was just what was used to describe jumpseating into a trip from one’s home airport. We also didn’t have the option to book business or staging for the same flight to commute to a trip back then. I’d be very surprised if anyone was denied the commuter protection because of splitting hairs over that.

busdriver12

Thanks for the response. Every now and then I hear people bringing up that business isn't protected, and it gets me wondering again.

kronan

A previous SCP stated\wrote that he'd have a pretty hard time disciplining someone on Business Status who didn't make it into Memphis, yet met all of the other CBA protections.
But that's all it is, a promise of intent from a Previous SCP. Could've been rewritten in CBA 2015, but it wasn't.
Past Performance is Not indicative of Future Results

As has been indicated, Jumpseating is NOT Duty time...in fact, if it Ever Becomes Duty time that particular CBA section becomes null and void.


As I have said, I don't Worry about Super Secret Letters in my file. If my JS is running Late, I contact Screw Scheduling and let them know. I usually ask if they want me to keep coming to Memphis or head home. I have yet to have them tell me to head on home.

Same is true for Deviation Travel. I only travel in a Day Early when I want to, not because I need to have a "backup" to make a Deviation check-in 8 hours early. There's been a few pairings where my Deviation arrival time is in the 8.5-9 hour window...and more than once I've called CRS and indicated I'm not going to make the 8 hour checkin due to various issues.

Here's a potential issue with the whole assigned a Trip while commuting in on RA. Call window starts at Midnight. For Some Reason, Screw Scheduling seems to have the idea that 2-3 hours early is better than calling you 90 minutes prior to a trip. If you're Still on the JS and Incommunicado, then you have no way of acknowledging\accepting that trip and CRS is scratching their heads wondering where you are...all things being equal, Confusing CRS is seldom a good idea.

Which is why I call them....early, and often

Adlerdriver

Okay - I agree playing "I've got a secret" with Skeds when your commute is going south is not a good idea.

On the other hand - your comments above have me scratching my head.
If crew scheduling gets to "scratching their heads" when they try to call someone 30-90 minutes prior to when the CBA says they have to be phone available, why is that any pilot's problem? I mean, sure, if your normal hometown jumpseat is running late, call away - what does it hurt.

But if we start feeling like we're obligated to answer a call prior to midnight, then I kind of have a problem with that. Midnight MEM time is when an RA is required to answer their phone. If they're on a JS, land and turn on their phone at 23:59 while the aircraft is taxiing into park, there simply isn't a problem. If Skeds tried to reach them an hour earlier and couldn't, why is that a problem warranting anyone feeling required to "call them....early, and often"?

HIFLYR

I would tell you to simply call ALPA contract enforcement and get it straight from them. The person who researched it for me is still there and her name starts with a R. I was told last year that you have to book staging vrs business to be protected from disipline and it had to be for a trip i.e. no protection for rsv.

NoHaz

Rhymes with nose?

busdriver12

No need to, I don't question that's what she told you. I do wonder, however, how it ends up being applied in actual situations.

Haven't ever gotten a letter in over 20 years, so I'm not freaking out about the possibility now.