Manning Level Hypothesis
08-30-2007, 04:42 AM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: MD11FO
Posts: 213
As a backseater I didn't pay much attention to DFT/VLT or make-up, but now as an 11FO I'm obviously more interested. I get a little confused when I read about guys demanding we stop picking up trips at straight time and hold out for DFT/VLT. Is it common for crew sched to call a commuter who lives in say Denver, CO for a DFT trip (and I'm not talking about field DFT)? Can you put yourself in for VLT if you're not physically in Memphis?
I'd love a ten-day DFT trip that fits my already tight on reserve schedule, but I'm not going to sit by the phone waiting for crew sched to call, and I'm certainly not going to sit around in Memphis on VLT waiting for that same phone not to ring....
I'd love a ten-day DFT trip that fits my already tight on reserve schedule, but I'm not going to sit by the phone waiting for crew sched to call, and I'm certainly not going to sit around in Memphis on VLT waiting for that same phone not to ring....
08-30-2007, 05:13 AM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: MD-11 Captain
Posts: 4,304
I get called for airport STBY occasionally on Reserve. I find it odd that I see the same guys sitting around (in their uniforms) in flight ops. Since they don't seem to be going flying, I have to assume they are sitting there in hopes of getting a DFT trip.
Get a life dude! Get a hobby! YGTBSM!!!!!
Mark
08-30-2007, 05:56 AM
#33
...Whatever It Is!
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,680
Depends on how easy it is for you to get to MEM and be legally rested and/or what constraints you put in you VLT request. Last time I put in for VLT was about 4-5 yrs ago. I think put in that it required a double DH and x hrs of notice. 30 mins later, while working in my garage in Steamboat Springs, CO I get a call from CRS. DH to ORD, operate 1 leg (can't recall where) and DH back. I was gone from home less than 24 hrs for 2 days of VLT. It can be done, just put the constraints in to be able to allow you to say no. They will often call if they need some one, blowing off the constraints, to offer a trip, and you can turn it down if it doesn't exactly match your constraints. Of course, YMMV!
08-30-2007, 05:57 AM
#34
...Whatever It Is!
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,680
I get called for airport STBY occasionally on Reserve. I find it odd that I see the same guys sitting around (in their uniforms) in flight ops. Since they don't seem to be going flying, I have to assume they are sitting there in hopes of getting a DFT trip.
Get a life dude! Get a hobby! YGTBSM!!!!!
Mark
Get a life dude! Get a hobby! YGTBSM!!!!!
Mark
08-30-2007, 07:52 AM
#35
Slainge Var'
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Zeppelin Tail Gunner
Posts: 1,530
Is it common for crew sched to call a commuter who lives in say Denver, CO for a DFT trip (and I'm not talking about field DFT)?
Fact is, they will draft a guy living in Memphis and D/H him to DEN before they will call a DEN guy. After all, in their mind, all pairings start in MEM and what if you don't deviate. Also, CRS is well aware of the guys who call them (CRS) all the time and have their cell phone grafted to their hip. Why call 25 guys when you have a sure thing in the first 2 calls? Vol, on the other hand, is a totally different animal and is the only (say 98%) hope you have if you are looking for 150% as a commuter.
Fact is, they will draft a guy living in Memphis and D/H him to DEN before they will call a DEN guy. After all, in their mind, all pairings start in MEM and what if you don't deviate. Also, CRS is well aware of the guys who call them (CRS) all the time and have their cell phone grafted to their hip. Why call 25 guys when you have a sure thing in the first 2 calls? Vol, on the other hand, is a totally different animal and is the only (say 98%) hope you have if you are looking for 150% as a commuter.
08-30-2007, 11:06 AM
#37
Slainge Var'
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Zeppelin Tail Gunner
Posts: 1,530
Congrats but that doesn't negate my point. ANC in the summer is WAY different. Higher percentage of "do not call me", smaller base, "gone fishin'" signs galore. Trying to draft you to come up to ANC to take a trip is not the same as drafting you to come to MEM where there are 600+ in each seat and 40% live there.
08-30-2007, 12:15 PM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: MD11 F/O
Posts: 653
I think there is a misconception from commuters about how much draft is going on. I don't think there is that much. I live near MEM and get called on Christmas and New Year.
I've gotten enough input now to move fom hypothessis to theory. Nobody should care if guys use open time to improve their scedule. I think it's great that guys on reserve get a few more days "off". But it has become another tool for guys to abuse. Now to define abuse: Everybody will define this diferently but I would say to consistently increase your BLG by more than 18hrs a month. But like protecting carryover and selling your vacation, doing "artifical" makeup is in the contract. All three decrease upgrades, decrease new hires and get reserves non flying days. And they seem to be habitual and a way of life here at FedEx.
I've gotten enough input now to move fom hypothessis to theory. Nobody should care if guys use open time to improve their scedule. I think it's great that guys on reserve get a few more days "off". But it has become another tool for guys to abuse. Now to define abuse: Everybody will define this diferently but I would say to consistently increase your BLG by more than 18hrs a month. But like protecting carryover and selling your vacation, doing "artifical" makeup is in the contract. All three decrease upgrades, decrease new hires and get reserves non flying days. And they seem to be habitual and a way of life here at FedEx.
08-30-2007, 02:23 PM
#39
Bourgeoisie
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 787 SO
Posts: 617
I think there is a misconception from commuters about how much draft is going on. I don't think there is that much. I live near MEM and get called on Christmas and New Year.
I've gotten enough input now to move fom hypothessis to theory. Nobody should care if guys use open time to improve their scedule. I think it's great that guys on reserve get a few more days "off". But it has become another tool for guys to abuse. Now to define abuse: Everybody will define this diferently but I would say to consistently increase your BLG by more than 18hrs a month. But like protecting carryover and selling your vacation, doing "artifical" makeup is in the contract. All three decrease upgrades, decrease new hires and get reserves non flying days. And they seem to be habitual and a way of life here at FedEx.
I've gotten enough input now to move fom hypothessis to theory. Nobody should care if guys use open time to improve their scedule. I think it's great that guys on reserve get a few more days "off". But it has become another tool for guys to abuse. Now to define abuse: Everybody will define this diferently but I would say to consistently increase your BLG by more than 18hrs a month. But like protecting carryover and selling your vacation, doing "artifical" makeup is in the contract. All three decrease upgrades, decrease new hires and get reserves non flying days. And they seem to be habitual and a way of life here at FedEx.
The habit probably does hurt hiring and upgrades, but it is a cultural behavior that is more than accepted by most crewmembers.
I remember being told by MH at a TA roadshow meeting that the pre-contract surveys clearly indicated to the negotiating committee that we (collectively speaking) wanted no cap on the number of hours we could work each month.
08-30-2007, 02:30 PM
#40
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Bench Warmer
Posts: 241
I’m kind of tired of the 'He makes a $1 more than I do and that is not fair' attitude. Whatever the gripe is this time: make-up in open time...or it's draft, vlt, vacation buy back, SFS guys, ANC guys, Flex Instructors, guys that have no lives and hang out at the airport...it's their choice.
UNLESS it is really having that big of a negative impact on your life...shut your pie hole, get over it. No negotiations going on...so it shouldn't matter. If guys need to fly extra to put braces on their kids teeth that is their business.
BWP...gettin' mine...$$$ yahooo...show me the money!
Thats a joke...
UNLESS it is really having that big of a negative impact on your life...shut your pie hole, get over it. No negotiations going on...so it shouldn't matter. If guys need to fly extra to put braces on their kids teeth that is their business.
BWP...gettin' mine...$$$ yahooo...show me the money!
Thats a joke...
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