Regarding voluntary furlough:
the Pilot shall be recalled to the Category from which he was furloughed, provided that either he has sufficient seniority to hold that Category or if there is an unfilled vacancy in that Category. If that Category no longer exists or if the above conditions are not satisfied, he shall be afforded a displacement bid in accordance with Section 8-E.

If someone wanted to get back into the base they left (same equipment/position), could they “displace” a junior person if no “unfilled” vacancies exist?

Yes, they can return to their previous category but it's not a one-for-one displacement. The category would simply increase staffing by one pilot.

Considering that it could only occur when recalls are in process, there would also be upward movement of the list and it would all work out so a junior pilot would not need to be bumped out of their seat. (Pilots can only get displaced from their category in a formal displacement anyway.)

Only if the “above conditions are met”. Meaning a VF will return to their previous BES if their seniority can still hold it/and the category still exists or if there is a current unfilled vacancy. If not, the pilot is afforded a displacement bid and can go to a BES their seniority can hold.

Worked the same way last time we had a VF option.

Excellent. Thanks Lee. Ultimately, an unfilled vacancy “must” exist at the time of recall in order to get back in

Not necessarily. You can go anywhere your seniority can hold. So, even if there is no vacancy, but you are at least one number senior to the junior pilot in the desired BES and equipment, you’re in. They would have to over staff until either another vacancy or displacement evens things out.

That is not correct for a VOLUNTARY which was the question, correct?

"C-1-d

Notwithstanding Section 7-A-2, the Pilot shall be recalled to the Category from which he was furloughed, provided that either he has sufficient seniority to hold that Category or there is an unfilled vacancy in that Category. If that Category no longer exists or if the above conditions are not satisfied, he shall be afforded a displacement bid in accordance with Section 8-E."

In contrast, an involuntarily furloughed pilot is at the mercy of the class drop (just like a new hire.)

I’d recommend reading the LOAs again... language very specific on where one is placed upon return. Like said above... involuntarily furloughed pilots get whatever base/seat are available.

All

Thanks for all the clarification regarding VF return to BES. Much appreciated

Does anyone know what kind of transparency we can expect during the 45 day election window of the pilot early out LOA?

Over the last few months we’ve seen category allocations and active bidders for zero lines, COLA, and the other headcount reduction programs. Additionally, vacancy and displacement bids come with snapshots to allow the pilot group to be informed.

The LOA doesn’t require snapshots, and actually I’m not sure if it would bias a decision one way or the other for someone considering taking an early out. But just out of curiosity and as a spectator sport it’d be nice.

What are typical line values right now on the Bus or 737? I’ll look at PBS docs in a minute, but am curious if they tell the full story.

Any line value rumors for next summer? I’m guessing 70-ish.

Need to crunch some numbers.