Originally Posted by Purple Nugget

So just to clarify, the PSIT has recently built the lines to the company target. For example, the B727 lines built to 63 hours or so. The company target is lowered (yes, too low; we are grieving it,) and so the PSIT simply says no we won't build the lines to what you say.

If this is the case, it seems like the only ones who get the short end of the stick here are the pilots themselves. No input to line construction. No disputed pairing review process, etc.

I'm really not seeing how this is some great show of force or unity. It just seems like during the grievance process, joe pilot has to take a pay cut (imposed by the company) and now has to have crappy lines thrown at us as well.

Again, I am behind the union 100% with regards to the company's application of the reduced bid lines; however the "fly it now, then grieve it" seems like it doesn't apply to the PSIT and in the meantime line quality, without pilot input, seems only to hurt the pilots.

Originally Posted by AFW_MD11

from another thread.....

...or is this yet ANOTHER violation of the contract by the company?

seems to me from the following section of the CBA the SIG/PSIT is intended (agreed upon) to be a joint effort - the company can't just unilaterally "lock out" the PSIT from participating in line construction.....can they?

just a thought from my random readings of the CBA.

from the CBA (editted for relevant content):

25.BB. Scheduling Improvement Group (SIG)
A. Statement of Intent
The parties agree that the construction of the pairings and
lines each month can immensely affect both the Company and
the pilots. The purpose of the SIG is to provide, through joint
participation and cooperation, a process that promotes, to the
greatest extent possible, a reasonable balance between the
following competing interests of both parties......etc.....

B. Composition of SIG
The SIG shall consist of 4 members. The Company shall
select two representatives, one of whom shall be a seniority
holding member of Flight Management, and shall designate a
SIG Chairman from the two representatives. The Association’s
two SIG members shall be the MEC Scheduling Committee
Chairman and Vice-Chairman or other line pilots designated by
the Association........etc......

C. Responsibilities of the SIG
1. Oversee Monthly Pairing and Line Construction Process
b. Line Construction
The SIG shall manage the PSIT participation in the line
construction process.
c. Evaluation Criteria
The SIG shall evaluate both pairings and lines with
regard to their impact on safety (e.g., consideration of
circadian rhythm disruptions, compounding effects of
fatigue, etc.), reliability, reasonable crew desires and
cost effectiveness.
d. Bid Pack Production Timeline
......
iv. The timeline for the publication of the bid period
package shall be:
(a) Target: Day 0
(b) NLT: Day +1

2. Manage the Pilot Scheduling Improvement Team (PSIT)
a. Composition of PSIT
A primary PSIT member participates directly in the
bid period build process and is compensated as such
in any given bid period. A back-up PSIT member is a
fully trained member assisting the primary(s) in a given
bid period through trip review and conference call
participation. The roles are rotational and are scheduled
by the MEC Scheduling Committee chairman. PSIT
members shall be line pilots selected by the Association
with the consent of the Company, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld.