Geneva Convention: Name, rank and serial number.

I know you were referring to my post. Let me explain the position I'm in and why I feel the way I do.

First, on day one, the company sent a retired 2-star to coerce us into not taking military leave. And he elevated his threat by saying that he doesn't talk to squadron commanders. He talks directly to O-6s and above. At previous company, they welcomed those in the military, thanked us for our service, and asked us for advance notice when able. They didn't demand it or threaten to call your Group/Wing Commander. Nobody needs that kind of stress and hassle.

Second, the Air Force is so screwed up. I rarely if ever get orders in hand before performing military duty. In fact, I still don't have orders for the last three military duties I performed! I've given advance notice to the company before and had the orders canceled. Going without a paycheck for a month really sucks!

Lastly, your comment about being able to take military leave is not a benefit. It's a right afforded by federal law. And we need to move away from this thinking that it's a benefit. Why? Calling it a benefit makes it sound like there's beer, fun, and unicorns involved. It creates jealously among the crew force who can't take military leave. The truth is, it's a real pain, has a huge hassle factor, endless paperwork, computer based training and briefings ... then there's all the flying stuff, some of which is dangerous! If it weren't for the promise of padding my retirement, I'd be gone in a heartbeat.

Don't get me wrong, I love to serve and I am glad to do so. However, the animosity created by the company doesn't help anyone. This is a leadership failure problem at its core.

Well said, Purple.

Sucks to be on probation....But if not,

"I don't talk to retired 2-star generals about my military duty, my ALPA attorney goes direct to labor relations for me"

+1 Purple.
...............

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong about this...but your ALPA attorney will not talk to the company about your Mil Leave. Mil Leave is between you, the Company and the Military. There are no direct provisions in our CBA protecting your Mil Leave rights. That is left to USERRA.

From my experience ALPA didn't assist me in a Mil issue I had, but USERRA did step up after I called them.

Of course that was more than a couple of years ago...

Do you mean ESGR?

"USERRA" is a federal law, not an entity.

Yep, I stand corrected. That's what I meant to write.

Note to self...no posting after flying all night.

Many, but not all, are probably aware of the harassment that was suffered by our military folks from the last "wave" of hiring.

These folks were questioned, pressured, and prodded at an unprecedented rate regarding their mil leave. Their integrity was questioned and in several cases their probation was unilaterally extended by the CP. I had the displeasure of both fielding these calls and mentoring these same folks as a crewmember. Frankly, I was embarrassed for the company.

In the end, our probationary brethren were defenseless and elected to keep their heads down, rather than risk confrontation. I can tell you with absolute certainty about pilots that specifically asked to be largely relieved of their military obligations while on probation out of fear for their jobs. That was, in my opinion, completely unacceptable and in direct conflict with the statements made in the most recent missive on the subject (as well as USERRA).

I guess clubbing baby seals is ok in some circles too.

Pipe

I guess I was wrong about ALPA legal. But the mil rep can help point you in the right direction. As a probationary pilot it's hard to trust the government to swoop in and help. I don't trust them to do anything. Maybe file with them after probation is over?

I am convinced something like the above is spoken when deciding how to deal with management challenges (crew members).

They will club until the seals club back.