aircum

I might have missed it. I know they got rid of the hotel standby at Ava. But is all Ava gone now for December? MD guy here. I was hoping to bid reserve again, when Ava is taking place very little action on reserve

Thrust Hold

The LOA is over with. The only AVA offered was for the seats that they bought back Vacation. I’ll have to look back at the FCIF, but I believe it was:

MEM 777 - CA & FO
HKG 767 - CA & FO

Which was for November. December hasn’t been announced.

Fdxlag2

I believe that was December. The bid packs are out tomorrow so the buyback decision has been made.

kronan

The AVA availability for Peak is already made.

It’s contractual, and available every year after Thanksgiving.

Last year, due to the agreement over the misuse of 2 day HSBYs, approval of an AVA request was automatic.

Sadly, far too many trips went at straight time versus 150%.

Thrust Hold

The last Vacation Cancellation FCIF I could find was for November. I may have misunderstood the cancellation of the LOA and it’s implications. I hope Kronan is Correct and AVA is still available per the CBA:

A trip is eligible for AVA assignment only if the trip has a showtime:

i. between Thanksgiving day and December 31; or

ii. during a bid period in which the Company has requested voluntary vacation cancellations in the pilot's crew position; or

iii. during a bid period in which the Company has involuntarily canceled a vacation in the pilot's crew position.



Vacation Cancellations for November 2019
FCIF 19-0437 (ADM/GEN)
Issued: 10/04/19 1836
Source: ————————
Suspense: 11/15/19
Approved: Donnie Hopkins

Due to staffing needs, the company is requesting voluntary vacation cancellations for the November bid month, per contract Section 7.I.2.

Vacations must begin in the November bid period, which begins with week 45 (begins November 4) and ends at the end of week 48 (begins November 25).

The number of vacation slots that are canceled will be determined at the close of the offer.
October vacations that carryover into November are not eligible for voluntary cancellation.
Any November vacation that conflicts with a trip in the October bid month will not be considered. If you hold two or more vacation slots in the November bid period you must agree to sell all of them back in order to be considered for the voluntary cancellation.

This solicitation opens in VIPS on Friday, October 4, 2019 and closes at 1400z on Wednesday, October 9, 2019. VIPS will prompt you to enter a "Y" or "N". You must respond by the close date/time in order to be considered. If you do not respond to this offer by the deadline, your response will be considered "No." Results will be posted in VIPS by 2200z on Wednesday, October 9, 2019.

If selected, you will be paid the value of the vacation, not to exceed the credit hour balance of your vacation bank, plus an additional 24+00 credit hours, per Section 7.I.2.
Pilots ineligible for this offer include those on disability, in a payonly status, in long-term sick leave status, having a vacation conflict with ITU training, with a negative vacation bank balance, on a leave of absence, or unavailable to fly for any reason.

Thrust Hold

Kronan - Are we still subject to the “May” language and the reserve forecast for Thanksgiving to December 31st?

P2P Letter from an ALPA email in October:

“As with any subject, a little history goes a long way. Prior to the May 2011 bid period, when a crew position was eligible for AVA, advance volunteer assignment was available for the entire bid period with some minimum regard for staffing numbers. Beginning with the May 2011 bid period, the administration and award of AVA underwent a refinement and began to be based on the Reserve Forecast.
Section 25.N.4. speaks on AVA, but what does it really mean in plain language?

4. Advance Volunteer Assignment (AVA)

The Company may advance assign a VLT trip prior to the open time assignment window subject to the following:

a. AVA shall be available and assigned to all eligible pilots beginning 7 days prior to showtime for that assignment, based on the reserve forecast.

b. A trip is eligible for AVA assignment only if the trip has a showtime:

i. between Thanksgiving day and December 31; or

ii. during a bid period in which the Company has requested voluntary vacation cancellations in the pilot’s crew position; or

iii. during a bid period in which the Company has involuntarily canceled a vacation in the pilot’s crew position.

Ready to explore . . .

The Company MAY advance assign a VLT trip prior to the open time assignment window. You must take note of the word may in this clause. Good old Webster tells us that “may” is used to express ability or power; possibility or likelihood; and contingency, as in clauses of purpose, result, concession, or condition. The Company has the power to advance assign a VLT trip, but there are contingencies as the language provides “subject to the following.” In reviewing the plain language of Section 25.N.4., the contingencies are as follows:

1. AVA begins 7 days prior to showtime for the assignment;

2. An AVA assignment is based on the reserve forecast;

3. A trip’s showtime is:

* between Thanksgiving Day and December 31st; or

* during a bid period in which the Company has requested voluntary vacation cancellations; or

* during a bid period in which the Company has involuntarily canceled a vacation.


AVA is “turned on” and the Company requested voluntary vacation cancellations in my crew position. Does that mean trips will be available to be picked up with the assignment code AVA? Unfortunately, the answer is no. AVA is subject to all the above contingencies. The request for vacation cancellations is one of the requirements for CRS prior to using AVA, but it does not always mean that they will use AVA during that bid period. The Agreement grants the Company sole authority on AVA.

aircum

Thanks for the explanations!!

kronan

TH,
think you answered your own question.

Company is only going to approve AVA when it’s hurting for bodies

VLT is available every day, even when the AVA prediction says don’t bother requesting AVA cuz we’ve got enough reserve coverage to man the trips currently open

Merica

Despite fcif stating AVA is available for Nov in certain seats, VIPS is not accepting AVA in those designated seats, per the FCIF. Fooled once again!

HvypurplePylot

The two year agreement for automatic AVA approval during peak was terminated by the company.