Just fly your schedule, maybe some trip trades to improve your line, keep your head down and say yes sir/yes mem and you will be fine.

So long as people consolidate and maintain currency, how could it "blow up" for people to utilize their Article 13 contractual right (which extends to probationary members) to drop trips via TripBoard?

The company may want to send a message and a probie has no protection.

Somebody dropping via Trip Board isn't violating ANY company policy and is abiding by the rules and rights of the CBA; as such I can't imagine such an act would be in the company's interest for a multitude of reasons.

Let's be honest here, probies have gotten fired for texting while planes are taxiing and physically fighting each other at the training hotel - nobody has gotten fired for dropping trips on the Trip Board.

Newbies and potential newbies - keeping a low profile is never a bad idea while on probation, but if you show up when you're supposed to show up and do the job the way you're paid to do your job, the company isn't going to be looking for a reason to can you.

Agreed, but keeping a low profile doesn’t include dropping all your trips every bid period, whether it’s contractual or not. That will get noticed. I could see some nosy manager pulling you in for a talk. Or if you find yourself in a bit of trouble with the company it sure won’t help your cause.

Also,

probation: a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership.

Your first year you bring your A-game: show up early, shine your shoes every day, show them what you’re made of. You don’t drop your entire frigging schedule for the whole year. Im not talking about a trip here and there. Sorry man, your are always a voice of logic and reason but on this one I have to disagree, respectfully. Just not a smart strategy.

this^^^^^^

I’m with Boiler. There’s no evidence whatsoever the company is looking to fire people who drop trips. If anything, it minimizes your exposure. Sure, could it come back to hurt you, sure but that’s true for anything here first year. As the saying goes, “First year they can fire you for anything, after that they can fire you for everything”

Just do you job and keep your head down. If that includes posting trips on the trip board, so be it.

I think the strongest argument against dropping is the potential to signify lower your A plan payout. If you have at least 9 pay periods between when you are hired and the end of your first calendar year here, it is possible to hit the 815 credit hours required to get credit for a full year of A plan. You can’t get that back by working extra later unless you are able to push back your target retirement date.

I agree. Fly your line, IF you commute have several backups, trip trade only to improve your commute (qol) and minimize your exposure as much as you can. Once your probation is over with do whatever you want..

Do you still feel this way? Have you found ways to improve it?