SlipKid

One of the SWAPA reps said that the while details aren't done yet, it is very unlikely that there will be any ETO, zero hour lines etc. where you will have the ability to pick up flying on top of it.

We'll see what they come up with, but I sure hope that they give the line building for the rest of us some consideration, and stop spreading out less flying over more days.

Cyio

This is 100%. In no way should the top percent be able to just go zero with pay while the rest of us suck up the remaining ****ty work with fewer days off. This needs to be equitable across the group. I feel like lines have already taken a dump since the contract and I feel like a poorly executed plan like they are talking about will only make things worse.

SlipKid

I'd love zero hour lines with the ability to pick up, but agree that they'd be bad for the group overall.

The lines are already the worst I've ever seen, and that's saying something. The last few months, there have been very few 12 day lines in my domicile, and exactly zero, weekday PM lines less than 13. The rest are all unproductive crap that pay guarantee or slightly more.

Is it too late for VSP?

iahflyr

Why wouldn’t the company want to offer zero pay lines, but allow pilots to pick up with no limits?

mulcher

The company would love it. The rest of the pilot group not so much.

Bennies

I'm in line with this train of thought! Green bars or sitting on reserve. Either are great options.

DogPit

Moreso than your generation. Enjoy your retirement, BTW.

DogPit

Like how 67 was definitely going to happen?

Profane Kahuna

How does it work at your shop?

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e6bpilot

Is this a serious question?
SWA has a small percentage of guys who would use this to stay artificially below the open time cap and make a killing flying short notice premium or quality straight time trips. The rest of us schmucks would have to stand in line behind them while we are out doing the drudgery that they should have been doing in the first place. The whole reason for any time off programs would be to reduce pilot head count on the line and, for the company at least, to reduce the amount they pay bringing pilots up to min guarantee. Allowing pilots a whole month off with no block or duty legalities to worry about would just create a subclass of super open time pilots who would aggressively use their status to destroy what is left of the open time market and completely dominate any open time awards. I don't think the union would ever allow that to happen, but they surprise us sometimes.
For those who don't know the system here, SWA has unlimited pickup for all pilots. Every pilot can fly every flight with the exception of a few ETOPS flights that most aren't qualified for. This creates a robust open time marketplace, but given the wrong circumstances, the balance can be easily tipped to where a few very senior pilots fly all the open time.