Work Rules Question
 

Hi there,

Had a question on the ability to drop and pick up flights at United. How does it work at United? For example, at Spirit I know they can drop their whole schedule and rebuild it in open time or just drop straight to zero. At Alaska they can drop but have to credit a minimum of 50 hours for the month. American I believe "lets" you drop to zero, but the reserve grid is never green to actually use it. Curious how it is at United for those of us that really prefer schedule flexibility. Thanks in advance.

For clarity, at Alaska it's possible to drop (or trade) to zero, there are some benefit ramifications. Limitations on that were a bit complicated due to the old bidding and trading process, but PBS is effective for May onward. I'm actually not even sure how it works going forward, probably better figure that out.

That's all you need to know about dropping trips at UAL, also.

I’ve found it depends as much on seniority as it does reserve coverage. When I was junior it was very tough to drop and trade, now it’s much easier and I can drop and rebuild pretty much anything. I also get most of what I bid so it’s not even necessary that often.

I drop my schedule to 0 every month, haven’t flown a PBS awarded trip in literally years. Generally I bid weekday day trips and either drop them into open time if there is reserve coverage, which contrary to what others might say here happens pretty frequently, or other people pick them up from me. If you don’t pick up to 50 hours then you are on the hook for benefits that would have been deducted from your paycheck. I’m not exactly sure how that works because it’s never been an issue.

If I might ask...

Is that domestic or international?

Commuter or in base?

Big BES (700 pilots), or small (120)?

Senior(top 20%) or junior(60-70% barely G-line)?

That's fine if you're in a category that actually has any open time. YMMV, in other words.

The 50 hours thing was gone out of the last contract for a while. Can’t find any reference to it at all any longer. I end up usually around there anyway after trading out of everything in the beginning of the month.

pretty sure there are repercussions if you only fly 10 hours a month.

in base, senior, EWR 737

What are you referring to?

How do you pay for your benefits?

If there are, that would have to be in the UPA and there is no mention, nor was there one in the old contract after removing the 50-hr restriction in 2018. You are considered a pilot in active service if you are not on a COLA or other unpaid LOA as covered by the UPA.

You can drop to 0 with no contractual minimum at UAL. I'm not sure how deductions work for things like insurance as I've never been taht low myself at the end of a month. In recent months on the WB the whole month has been green and I can drop or swap whatever I want. It's harder to do in practice normally than it was during my time at NK.

I still have never had to call in sick for time off I needed that I had scheduled over. With bad day/worse day language, swaps or another pilot picking it up off me, I've been able to get rid of numerous trips.

Pay with your debit card , or pay from HSA balance
if you drop to 0

been there done that

Appreciate all the responses everyone. Firms things up for me on where I want to be. Sounds like a great setup should someone need to drop due to life busying up.

just reiterating this point, depends on the fleet and base A320 is by far the least “droppable” that I’ve seen. As summer approaches you may not be able to drop anything unless you are on the 777 or 787.

this is very correct. It needs to be understood that it's not a guarantee to be able to drop, especially in the summer. As you get more senior that changes though.