I will continue to evaluate my own fitness to fly, and I expect everyone else to do the same.

No hugging or kissing your fellow pilots or ground crew. Wash your hands and maintain your social distance.

One of the big triggers is body aches. Or, you can just follow APC.MDs.R.US and stay home whenever you even think you might be contagious. Which unfortunately occurs even before you're symptomatic

https://www.healthline.com/health/co...n-to-stay-home

 

Thats probably my box.

Bad detective work Sherlock...I have sinus issues and after a few hours in the air, I have to hit the tissues every flight. Yet, I’m not sick. #clearsinusesmatter

 

Then clean up after yourself and put them back, most planes don’t store them there.

 

Here is an added tip ......... I can relay this from my own experience ; Make sure that if you have same recurring health issues, you get your Doctor's note to include that the condition is CHRONIC ....... This is something that will place you into a category , if approved by your Fleet Captain, that could exempt you from having to provide further Sick Call excuses from your Doctor everytime you call in SICK, this can save you quite a bit of $$$ in copays ...............

 

Amen to that one.

 

I was just summons for a VIPS notification for a physician's note for calling in SCK. I kind of felt that this could be coming. The STS software system flagged me. A little background here. I did have a NOQ ADM on another fairly large trip of 64 hrs in earlier January that involved a close contact COVID. I ended up speaking to flight management about that one as well. I was paid under our MOU. Through no fault of my own, I was initially listed as SCK in VIPS on that one event. Now, on this latest February SCK call, it is different because I had excrutiating tooth pain while on a trip delayed while in the field laying over. I did seek medical assistance. You all know it, right? The SEVERE COLD weather disruption all over the southern U.S. including MEM and most of Texas? Many flights delayed and cancelled within the FedEx system. What a week. Long story longer! I finally had gotten home where I ended up having a dental procedure done. I did also get another VIPS crew notification that I must provide within the 10 days, the physician's statement of that I'm unable to perform my duties. I wasn't going to take the chance and fly after having had this done. Especially with a raging tooth infection and cabin pressure changes. No narcotics meds, of course.

I suppose where I'm leading with all of this is within the entire crew force follows as such. I understand that there is abuse going on with SCK leave. However, that being said, I also believe that we're being unfairly scrutinized for our use of SCK leave where it is needed. And, also for many reasons like to manage the well being of our minds and bodies. I certainly hope that our ALPA Union leadership and pilot group addresses this in the upcoming contract. This again needs to be looked at on how we're being flagged for SCK leave use. Wouldn't you all agree?

I'm sure these will be "points dings" on my record here via the STS software parameters. I'm not happy about this, and I do feel untrusted for all that I put into FedEx on every trip. Like in a grade school when I was a little boy.

I did of course get the SCK doctor's note as it was true and I've got nothing to hide. I had to upload it on an INSITE report to the company's aeromedical discussion group, NOT the flight management group. Remember this, flight management never see's it, and I believe that they just know you fulfilled the request. Still...

 

Not sure if the aeromedical discussion group is Harvey Watt. Assuming it is. But HW, in my opinion, is the equivalent of an ambulance chasing injury attorney. Drooling to make a big deal out of anything they can, and they will.

 

Yes. BTW, even though you call in WELL when ready to come back and fly, the company still has you blocked until they've cleared your SCK status. I'm speaking of the doctor's note request fulfillment. And to top this all off, forget about getting any FDX J/S while in a SCK status for even future trips. I'm so disappointed in our union. I hope for you guys' benefit that this will be changed. Why did I even bother with spending hours on the damn CBA survey? The upcoming contract. I'm retiring here soon enough and won't miss this kind of sh** after 25 years. Money or NO money. Health and well being is the bigger picture here.

 

Yes. BTW, even though you call in WELL when ready to come back and fly, the company still has you blocked until they've cleared your SCK status. I'm speaking of the doctor's note request fulfillment. And to top this all off, forget about getting any FDX J/S while in a SCK status for even future trips. I'm so disappointed in our union. I hope for you guys' benefit that this will be changed. Why did I even bother with spending hours on the damn CBA survey? The upcoming contract. I'm retiring here soon enough and won't miss this kind of sh** after 25 years. Money or NO money. Health and well being is the bigger picture here.

 

If I'm not sick enough to go to the doctor, I come to work.

Insane system but I didn't design it.