Trip drops--I did a thread search and didn't find what I was looking for. The threads I did find talked about folks not having success because the company said it didn't have coverage. Is this the norm? If so, does this violate the UPA (in letter or spirit)?

If you can't just drop, then I'd imagine we are able to drop if another pilot volunteers to pick it up? If you try to drop in crew companion, does it simply require another pilot to volunteer to pick it up or is there more to it? What have you found to work?

Thanks.

Hopefully this doesn't thread-drift into scabs before too long.

 

"At its sole discretion..."

It doesn't get any clearer than that. Union "shall" be able to share, review, consult and recommend, but the company "shall determine."

20-P-5 At its sole discretion, the Company shall determine the specific staffing parameters and metrics that govern trip-trading. The Company agrees to share the general methodology and variables with the SSC, and shall allow the SSC to review specific staffing parameters and metrics at least monthly. The SSC shall be given the opportunity to consult with and make recommendations to the Company on trade criteria, system performance, system upgrades, and error resolution.

 

Saw an AWESOME example of a Scab dealing with a maintenance delay yesterday. Didn't tell the flight attendants the jet bridge was coming back to the airplane, so they were NOT pleased. Then went out and HID in the terminal while the customer service agents and flight attendants dealt with the irate passengers for 3 hours. Hid, like standing along the wall, peaking around the corner at the gate to see if passengers were re-boarding.

Just kidding

Actually, I'm not, he really did that.... but you know what I mean

Dropping trips is REALLY hard at UAL, unfortunately. Especially if it's a 3 or 4 day trip. 1 day trips you have a chance.... if they are good. In order to get a straight trip drop there either needs to be coverage (which there VERY RARELY IS... at least according to the company), or someone needs to pick it up from you. They tend to always zero out the computer so it says "no coverage" even if there are 20 reserves that day. Every now and then you'll see a trip drop, so always put it in there. Your best bet otherwise is to advertise it in Crew Companion and hope someone else wants it.

You can TRADE your trip, but usually only if it's the exact same number of days (or more) as the trip you already have AND starts on the same day, or covers all the days of the trip you currently have. It's definitely onerous. Wish I had better news for you. If you really need the time off, and it's a life event, contact your CPO and ask for help. And then there is always the other option. *cough cough*

Good luck!

 

DaveDaveDave...

You already have your answer. You can't, because they won't. And they won't, because they don't want to. It doesn't appear to be more complicated than that. You are a widget, not an asset, so do as you're told (scheduled).

There may be a dozen guys on reserve on the day you want to drop a trip. Yet, "No coverage" is almost always their response. What ends up happening is increased sick calls, and then of course the ramping up of AMS harassment. Which of course will be followed up by Marvin's flying with snot running out of their nostrils, which will be followed by non Marvin's calling in sick a few days later.

Trip trade is a joke as well. Just add PBS and any control over your schedule is just about non existent, unless you're very senior in base and seat.

And we slurp it up like fat carp.

Welcome to UAL. How'd you like another two years of this contract?

 

I have been unsuccessful in dropping any trips since I got here 2.5 years ago.

 

Vacation drop is the same as a straight drop wrt to reserve coverage in that it still has to be there to drop it.

 

I wonder if all the Mil leaves are getting approved. My guess is they soak up all the trip drop opportunities for everyone else( at least for the narrow body jets). But after all, Mil Leave has the backing it needs because it is, after all, FEDERAL LAW.

 

You make this a united gig seem so fun!

 

What are the mechanics of vacation drop?

 

Correct, MIL leaves MUST be approved. This is not an attack on you krudawg, but if the MIL leaves are taking up all the trip drop opportunities, then it's the least we could do as a gratitude for their service. Those men and women have sacrificed more than civilian guys like me ever have and I'd gladly give them the break when they need it.