Cruise

Why? Let them search the site! More regional pilots need to start talking to the media and exposing the terrible operation that is the regional airline industry.

It's about time the media, public, government...etc are finally realizing the majority of pilots do not make $300,000/ year and only work 10 days/ month. Most operate under harsh work-rules, the sick policy being just one of them. Pilots love to **** and moan about how crappy the industry is; well, people are finally listening and you come on here and tell them to mind their statements. FAIL!

If the regional companies have nothing to hide, because they operate with proactive policies, treat employees as people, not liabilities, there should be no concern on what the media will find. These mgmt types are finally getting what they deserve. They're being exposed as the scumbags they really are. In fact, here's to the demise of ALL regionals! Bring the flying back to where it belongs, the mainline partners.

Ski Patrol

[quote=John Pennekamp;643051]Has it occurred to any of you that this site is searchable by google (no password required to browse) and that the media may be trolling here to dig dirt about "those unsafe regionals". Think about that before you start cutting/pasting company manuals (Nevets) and talking about how your company punishes you for calling in sick.[/quote]

Gee I don't know perhaps the word needs to get out!! What a concept.

2Co2Fur1EXwife

Yeah I totally agree, not that anyone would care to write a story about this unless it somehow relates to blood-shed. (Regional pilot flys sick for fear of job, crashes plane) Don't be intimidated by mgnts attempts to manipulate you. My last company you had to check in with the CP before returning to work, get permission to commute, and if you had more than 4, meeting with first step advisory warnings. Its total crap. Pilots are (for the most part) honest working people, yet we suffer some of the hardest work rules. I don't know anyone (in different industry) who worries about a sick call. how did it come to this?

kalyx522

EXACTLY...

we have a pretty bad one... any time you call in sick (doesnt matter if it's first time or fourth time) the crew schedulers have discretion to ask you for a doctor's note (before transferring you to the chief pilot's number). now, as you know, there are a ton of everyday ailments that wouldnt pass the IMSAFE test, yet wouldnt be cause to drag yourself to the doctor either. (the common cold, for example... you wouldnt go to the doctor for this one even if you werent a pilot, because there is no cure for it anyway.)
what do you guys think of this?

UpThere

If I'm sick, I go to the doctor. Doesn't matter what it is. $15 is cheap insurance to keep the company from doing ANYTHING to you! If you go to the doctor, tell them what's going on with you, tell them what your job is, and when you have to work, all the legs you have to fly. From my wife, a medical professional, "No doctor in their right mind will be willing to put their practice or license on the line if a pilot tells them they are not up to flying and their company wants a sick note." Because if something does happen, you went to them, they said you were okay to fly.... you get the drift.

av8sean

Pinnacle:

4 in 12 months = verbal warning (w/base mgr meeting)
5 in 12 months = written warning (w/base mgr meeting)
6 in 12 months = written warning (w/base mgr meeting) requesting you deeply consider if you really want to work for Pinnacle Airlines. You also get your next trip dropped.
7 in 12 months = Possible termination

I believe after the 5th they may also send you to their doctor in Memphis for a "checkup"..

The company also "requires" doctors notes for all holidays and the Super Bowl.

jayray2

This has been discussed before and even if your company requires you to get a "doctors note" all you need is something saying you went to the doctor. They do not have the legal right to know more than you just went to the doctor.

I am not sure if it is true or not but I heard of a guy calling in sick 12 times in one year and he was told he would be fired if he did it again. He called in sick again and nothing happened. Has anyone ever heard of someone actually being fired for sick calls?

cubflyer

Don't get the "squirts" during sterile cockpit. If you do, request to climb back up to 11,000' , hold at present position and hit the Lav.

EmbraerFlyer

This is one of the things I hate about sick policies in the airlines. I was told that my sick time can only be used for my illness and injuries. What if you have kids? Kid get sick every now and then. Am I suppose to leave my 3 year old at home and have then take care of themselves. No other industry in the country would even think of such madness. No chief pilot, VP of Ops, President, or CEO have to answer to someone above them when they sick, their kids are sick, or spouse/girlfriend(s) are sick. Why should we?

rickair7777

FMLA will cover that nicely...and they cannot hold FMLA against you in any way at all. It does not count as an absence.

Just make sure your kid stays sick for 4 days (FMLA mins). Any doctor would provide a note to that effect, they know how FMLA works and there's no point in sending them back to daycare if they might still be contagious

If your company is not flexible with stuff like that, they deserve to get hit with FMLA at the drop of a hat.