It's not just the airline industry that follows those rules. In fact, I can't think of any company, airline or not, having sick time that doesn't have this policy. It's to keep employees from abusing the sick time policy. Given the chance, a lot of people would take advantage of it.

 

No. It doesn't. Please provide cites backing your claim.

 

How about taking the high road and not playing that game ?
Then again having to deal with providing a Dr's note in order to come back to work is just so school like.


FRED

 

The back of your medical is a note from a doctor saying that you can't fly if you are sick...fax them that and tell them to pound sand!

 

I find the term "abusing sick time" amusing. How can you abuse something that you have earned? I find it hard to believe that most companies require sick notes when employees take sick time. I have never heard anyone I know outside of the industry having to do this in order to take a sick day.

 

Did you tell him to shove it up his keester? LOL!

 

While I agree with your reasoning, be careful.

Sick time accrual is not treated as earned deferred income in the same manner as vacation under federal law. The courts have consistently ruled it is a benefit, with the amount in your bank being the maximum benefit the company will allow. If you leave the company, you should be paid accrued vacation, but baring contract language to the contrary you will not be paid sick bank.

 

Let me start by saying, "if you are sick, call in sick!" Don't fly sick. Any day and time, use your sick time when you are sick.

Now the other side of the story: why do employers ask for notes on holidays? Because pilots too junior to get the day off call in sick- when they are not sick. Sure, you can be sick on a holiday, but we all know the sick calls spike around holidays, superbowls, weekends, snowstorms, etc. Ask any reserve pilot. They will always work the above days. You think you're sticking it to the company, but in reality, you are screwing a fellow pilot.

If you're sick, call in sick. If you're not, work your own pairing.

Yes, I'm on reserve.

 

And we will be extending this policy to include all weekends and all holidays that result in three day weekends.

Now you're getting it.

 

I have. My wife used to work for Walmart (All hail, death to Walmart) corporate and they have a policy that states that if you call in sick the day before or after a holiday, you will not be paid for that day (regardless of if you're salary or not) unless you are sick for at least two days, at which point you will need a Dr.'s not to verify it.

These policies really a put everyone in a tough situation. I think they are put in place to "keep honest people honest." Similar to car alarms. If there is any sort of threat of consequences or deterrent, most people won't commit the "crime." But without anything to deter people, everyone would call in sick all the time.

This industry is so different from the rest of the world in so many ways, including this. Most non-aviation companies have sick leave and personal leave or just one bank for personal leave and you use it however you need. We don't get personal leave so most people use sick leave as both.

As for pay vs. professional, unfortunately, these are two independent issues. We should all act and look professional regardless of our pay - that is part of being an airline pilot and any professional pilot... plain and simple. But unfortunately, we will be paid regardless of our actions and appearance. Don't think that pay will automatically increase just because the entire pilot world looks and acts professionally. This, however, should not dictate your professionalism.