Thanks!

SP

 

EWRflyr, thanks for the clarification.

One of the LUAL furloughees stated that he got called in the middle of his days off and answered the phone. He was told that he was obligated to take the assignment but told them that was unable to be in position in such a short timeframe. He had to speak to someone on the matter after the fact - the agreed upon workaround was to not answer the phone.
While not answering the phone is a solution, it shouldn't matter if you answer the phone and turn down an assignment while on days off.

Perhaps I have some details incorrect (likely, especially with second/third hand information) but it sounded like if they talk to you on your days off, you can be forced to accept an assignment.

 

Andy, can't be forced on your days off, unless you are not thinking and want to be JM. Unfortunately, we have a few of them. Not saying, this was the case but...child care, can't get there, on the boat in the gulf, fatigue, too much buds etc...bottom line, you have to verbally accept the assignment, regardless of veiled threats to call the CPO. Even if they place it On your line, its not official unless you verbally accept. Some schedulers wiil attempt...call your CP. On the 1 or 2 times, i didnt pay attention to my phone, My response has been, he knows my number and will contact if he thinks its an issue. Have never had one call me. Shouldn't be this way, so get a phone screener or ring tone etc....to eliminate the stress. All this moveable/ immovable and involuntary JM must go . Your day off is exactly that and the pilot should control it...not scheduling.

 

He definitely didn't want JM; he's told them at least once that he was fatigued ... did the 6 day, park his butt for a day international, and then back for a few more days. When that was done, they tried to add another turn. He called 'no mas'.

As for being called on his days off, he was out of position (at home). I don't know who he spoke to after, perhaps a scheduling muckety muck. He was also threatened with the chief pilot carpet dance by the scheduler who initially called him.

 

Why not put the CP in speed dial, and when scheduling calls to "force" you into a trip, bring the CP into the call and explain to both of them that you're on days off and not available. Seems like an efficient way to kill two birds with one phone call.

 

One word: "Unavailabe". No further explanation/stories required. They can (and probably will) call the CPO all they like and the CP may or may not call you. It doesn't matter; you were "unavailable".

 

Fair enough.

But, this is also one of those "culture shock" issues for ex-UA guys at L-CAL where crew scheduling can't touch you at all on days off (except for the last day before RSV days to notify of an assignment) or move days off (domestically.)

I can only hope the L-UAL contract carries over into the JCBA in this instance.

 

Here are some known numbers from scheduling. Name them all "Scheduling" on your phone and don't answer unless you want to enter CAL's kafkaesque world of should-you-shouldn't-you be free from duty on your days off. 8003382739, 7133249728, 7133247013, 7133247051, 7133247019, 7133245000.

But since they've also been known to use their own cell phones, don't answer phone if you don't recognize the caller ID.

Sure, you can answer the phone and you can say no to an assignment and you can talk to you CP and, and, and, but if you just want to avoid the drama, don't answer.

There is an agreement (maybe it was a grievance) that you cannot be junior manned if you initiate the call. For example, you call to trade a trip for next week. They try to junior man you for tomorrow "while I've got you on the phone." Not allowed.

 

Sounds like the "Outsourcing Crew Scheduling to India" prophecy came true!

 

I understand that there are workarounds. But do you think that not answering your personal phone should be a workaround?