onetime

We are all entitled to our opinions, but we have to share the facts and it's a fact that the current DP system does not work. It could, it might one day, but right now it does not work. For the fourth time, the most recent instance in which we did make it work, another fact pops up. PC essetially said, "...we need to fly that sequence for operational reasons, so live with it." Have you heard of the definition of insanity?

FDXLAG

For the ninth time, what do you want? Should we pretend that many of us aren't hosing the others? Should the SIG quit pointing out onerous pairings? Exactly what are you advocating?

I don't point out DP flyers, but don't object when anyone else does. Why do you?

I don't park in the handicap parking at Walmart, I don't fly DPs, I don't fly extra when the company is cutting hours for others, and I don't bid airplanes where we don't have an agreement. That doesn't mean you can't.

Busboy

The DP system is not broken. It is vulnerable. Vulnerable to those that can not see past their nose.

As far as PC having the final say on the outcome of a "non-picked up" DP...Onetime is correct. It's PC's perogative. However, other than that one instance...Can you name another time the pairing was not "fixed", if it was not flown? I would think that liability might be one of the issues PC has to think about when he overrides our dispute. I don't think it's just done willy-nilly.

I too, think that some of our negotiating capital should be spent on the scheduling process, to gain more hard parameters. But until then, the DP process is what we have. And, it normally works...If we all can resist the temptation.

onetime

HARD PARAMETERS. That's all. If it's available somebody will pick it whether it's labled disputed or not.

onetime

BB, I agree with you. It's all we have until the next time around, but if it's important enough we will negotiate to fix it.

FDXLAG

So again, do you not want the sig to quit identify DPs or do you want the union to quit post links to the pairings flown? I am still not sure what you are complaining about here, you say the system is broken and we need to change. Change what; I am all for hard parameters. I just happen to think hard parameters are more likely if we start from our current position as opposed to starting over.

iarapilot

Its not that the DP process is broken, it is that the pilots picking them up are broken.

steel

Hear, hear! Nice post!

Buckwheat Jones

Bingo. Again, disputed pairings identify weak or exploitable areas of our current agreement. From the SIG page on alpa.org:


The PSIT takes the issue of pairing disputes very seriously. Pairings are not disputed because the PSIT considers them to be merely “inconvenient.” A pairing will be disputed when identified by the FEDEX MEC as having been constructed with unsafe, onerous, or otherwise objectionable flying. The reasons for the dispute are often accompanied with their identification. The contractual procedures and handling of pairing disputes is outlined in Section 25.BB. of the Contract.

An excerpt from this Section is: “Additionally, if on a recurring basis, a pairing, disputed or not, appears in open time and is routinely avoided by pilots trip trading or eligible for make-up, OTP, etc., and therefore must be assigned to a reserve pilot, the above procedure shall apply.” The “above procedure” referenced by the excerpt, would refer the disputed pairing to the Scheduling Dispute Board for resolution. You can see that it is hoped that onerous flying would identify itself by it’s very nature and be avoided- therefore further identifying itself as in need of fixing.

As an important Contractual right: Disputed pairings should not be assigned to any crewmember but a Reserve pilot involuntarily. Except for specifically described extraordinary circumstances, Disputed Pairings will not be available in any bidpack lines and should absolutely not be assigned in CIC makeup, custom lines, or on any Secondary line without a specific request, by pairing number, from the crewmember. You will still see them in open time and in the bidpack pairing list only identified by pairing number. Please consider them carefully.

You can reference Disputed pairings and the nature of their dispute by subscribing to the Union e-mail list, or accessing the Union web-site. A copy of the monthly Scheduling Letter identifying disputes and discussing monthly changes is available both ways as well as a convenient and prominently displayed list on the main FedEx ALPA web page. Archives are available in the Scheduling section.

Disputed pairings are NOT “STRUCK WORK” and are available to any crewmember, but they can be avoided by any pilot other than a Reserve or Standby pilot. As a reminder, once open time is released, you can then get one of these disputed pairings by:

Voluntary: Requesting them by number in CIC make-up.
Voluntary: Specifically requesting a disputed pairing (by number) on a secondary or custom line.
Voluntary: Putting “volunteer for general trips” or “general make-up” in as a request in any make-up status and then being assigned a disputed pairing in open time.
Voluntary: Requesting a trip trade into a disputed pairing.
Voluntary: Accepting VLT/DRF into a disputed pairing.

Involuntary: Reserve-an option the Company always retains for the operation of any legally-constructed pairing. This assignment is involuntary and may not be turned down.

One more thing-adding deadheads to a disputed pairing and making it available to another domicile is a clever fix to a predicament from a crew scheduling point of view, but it may not contain a solution to what made the pairing disputable in the first place. Please compare new pairings to the original disputed pairing list to see if the pairing still contains the unsafe, onerous, or otherwise objectionable flying.

onetime

Dude, I'm sure you think I've missed your point completely and I feel the same way. The SIG identifying DPs is not the problem. Continue and keep up the good work. I like the SIG and what they do. They are not the problem. The problem is our DP system gives 4600+ pilots a choice so don't be surprised when they choose the option both you and I disagree with.

I see our options as staying the course and hope that fear, sarcasm, and ridicule will change the way guys act or we can push for something, anything that actually works with regard to scheduling parameters.

If you have not checked open time lately, our current position is pretty weak and unless you know something the rest of us don't, it is not going to change before the next contract is signed. That said, where we start may not be as important as where we finish.