ASA/XJT Sked+ Trip Pickup
 

As an XJT guy, I am new to this whole Sked+ BS. Earlier today I tried to pick up a turn someone had advertised for tomorrow. After checking the que on My Transactions, it seemed to be stuck ie it had neither confirmed nor denied my pickup. I left it alone for about 90 mins with no change before finally calling scheduling to see what was up. Scheduler says the request is in there correctly and that they just haven't gotten to it yet. I asked how long does it normally take to get to a Advertisement pickup on a day off. She said they have 8 hours to accept or deny the request. I have 2 questions for you ASA guys with more experience with Sked+:

1. EIGHT FREAKING HOURS?!?! Are you serious?!?! Why does it take up to 8 hours to confirm/deny such a simple request. On our "old, outdated" CCS system the response was INSTANTANEOUS. You had an answer in SECONDS without any interaction from scheduling unless it was something weird.

2. I gather the reason for the delay is so an actual person can evaluate the request. What is the point of an AUTOMATED scheduling system if a PERSON still has to look at it ANYWAY?!

I mean, seriously?! I hope I'm missing something/was lied to by scheduling because if this is really how our Super Scheduling at our new Super Regional runs then we are super screwed!!!

Email compliance and consider grieving it. Might fall under changing the status quo. Either way, you have nothing to lose.

Should be automatic.

You're not in Kansas anymore.

It's been automatic for me in the past.

Our scheduling department has turned into a bunch of computerized A holes. It's the same reason that they post the schedules exactly at 5PM on the date to be posted and no earlier. Even though it's done and would sure help a guy get a head start on how to plan the following month, they wait. If they get 8 hours to do so, they will use all 8 hours to the second.

I had a death in the fam. Asked if I could take an earlier DH to get home quicker. Nope they say. Wouldn't even let me talk to a supervisor. They said that the rules are, once you are scheduled for a DH, you are stuck with that DH. Since all of the flights were over sold they were able to use that excuse. I'm sure if I was a reserve guy and they needed to make my day that much longer, they would have just put me on a flight. Over sold or not.

It's getting ridiculous. I feel your pain. Guess we gotta get used to it or leave. Someone will always be ok with the way things are done. Those people are usually desperate pilots or pilots that already have their nice cushy contract protection.

You should have called a chief pilot. They are supposed to be able to see past the stupid rules and do what is right. In regards to the original poster, my swaps and pickups are always automatic. Several times I get denied with some stupid reason and I have to call and they have no idea why the computer did what it did. It may be and XJT thing, they don't have the code written for your contract yet or something.

Normally it is automatic and normally it is instant. BUT from the last couple days of the month through the first couple days of the next month it is not. This is considered the transition period (even though PBS was supposed to eliminate the transition period) and scheduling has to manually approve any schedule changes.

At 9e it takes days. I would love 8hrs

Whenever I pick stuff up or move my off days when on reserve in happens within a minute. Not sure what the problem is, sorry!

BTW, Welcome to ASA! :) Get used to it!

Know your contract. 8.B.1 says they have to put you on the first flight after your duty ends, consistent with legal connection times. Unless you were requesting something weird like for them to DH you during a rest period, there shouldn't have been a discussion.

I believe the ASA PBS LOA says that partial trip pickups, whether from another crew member or open time need to be evaluated within 8 hours. No idea why it can't be automated, also no idea why ExpressJet folks are working under an ASA LOA.

Thanks for the responses guys.

This is what I suspect happened because every other time I have traded a trip or done a pickup it has been instant. I can't be sure but it's possible that this is the first time I've done something like this during the fake "transition period". Which brings me to my next point...

If this is the case then its BS. Until the JCBA is complete ASA's contract and LOA's are theirs and XJT's contract and LOA's are ours. Applying rules from one contract willy-nilly on the other pilot group is clearly a violation. Picking up an advertisement on a day off during the secondary window does nothing but move payroll money from one pilot's check to another's, voluntary to all parties involved. There is no additional cost to the company. Just slap some min guarantee, 30/7, 100/30 and 1000/year parameters on there and be done with it! Why are they paying some boob to look at each one of these requests!?

So you gotta know days in advance that you might have a dead day in your week and want to make some extra money? What if your plans change last minute? Negotiate a better contract. This is one of those things that costs the company next to nothing (and they know it!) but can improve your QOL immeasurably. Like to fly a lot? Need money? Pickup the turns commuters are always dropping. Hate flying and want to be at home? Advertise your whole schedule! Every one goes home happy!

Freezingflyboy!!!!! Reading your original post I thought by a minutes that it was my post... I don't need to change any single letter from it. I had the same problem until the point I had to laugh over the phone with scheduling on the other side of the line. We are been tested for near PBS. Right now I just give up with this crap. No wasting my time. Take care!