Blessing in disguise
 

Had an interesting conversation with someone in management Friday. They stated “We will have more freight to haul than we have airplanes available for at least the next 6-12 months” due to Coronavirus. Draft going out left and right and Vacation buy back for the next several months. Glad we didn’t have a knee jerk reaction and shut down international ops. If we would have we would be on the verge of 4.a.2.c or furlough. Instead we are positioned to capitalize. Plus this is even more proof of how valuable we are as pilots to the corporations success. Let’s all remember this in 2021!!!

Makes me wonder if the min BLG situation will be resolved immediately for April bidding.

Curious
 

Any strategies on picking up draft in the 77?

If you have RA, is it a good idea to select no China to clear your schedule for draft trips?

That’s what happened to me this month. Got a non China 8 day draft trip after they debited my sick bank. Just wondering if it was a fluke. Still pretty new. Tried to move and drop the Reserve but denied due to insufficient reserves, even though there are 30+ folks on RA

Surprised they will draft you for a China trip after you said you would not do it on reserve. But if they are short all bets are off. Good luck dropping R days. Better chance dropping them over Christmas!

OIM says you cannot pick up Ava for any China trip if you decline China. It’s company discretion.... so if they need you badly they’ll approve it.

i think one could just as easily say that the company now knows that there is nothing we wouldn’t do to make some coin ....up to and including risking our health and that of our friends and family.

We are consistently our own worst enemies, and management knows that. Falling over ourselves for China DRF, VLT, VBB $$$ will be noticed by The Company and set their tone for CBA negotiations next year.

I guess I don't see it like you do. This virus is just like many other viruses. It affects mostly elderly and those with compromises immune system just like any cold would. I would assume pilots who hold a first class medical don't fall in this bucket. Now if the pilots family members have a compromised immune system then they can opt out of China and get draft on a Europe trip or middle east. Truth is Asia is no different than other areas now. There is so much open time on those fleets that you can pick and choose right now. Numerous charters dropping on MD. This freight trickles down to domestic fleet also so you should see upticks in those fleets also. Im sure glad im not on a WB AC at a pax carrier now wondering when my bump and flush number is coming.

So healthy people don’t get sick? SMFH

There is one trip open on the bus next month, for both fo’s and captains. And that’s more than usual.