MD11Fr8Dog

So, does that mean that once you pick up a trip PMU, then you can't drop it, or that if you do drop it you lose that PMU forever?

Overnitefr8

I don't know about recycling, but I have traded an OTP trip for another trip and the 125% carried to the new trip.

busdriver12

Yes. But you only get paid PMU for the 6 hours.

busdriver12

You can definitely drop it, but don't know if you lose the PMU. I am certain that you don't "reset the clock", but it is possible that it goes back into your OTP bank until the expiration time.

TonyC

The latter.






.

Gunter

Eventually, like Col Kurtz, EVERYBODY wanted Webb to go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD0rU6-7sKs

Zpig

Yes, "OTP recycling" is a real thing, but whether it's good or evil depends on how it's used. If I have 14 hours of OTP, and pick up a VCP trip for 20 hours (yes, you can go +6), and subsequently my family plans change, I can drop the trip and "re-use" my original 14 hours of OTP.

Now if I drop that trip and am immediately able to pick it up using General Makeup (not guaranteed), I can re-use my 14 hours of OTP to get head of the line privileges on my next trade, so to speak. If your OTP bank is large enough, you essentially get first crack at every trip in OT. Since Charters and Xtra pairings are often subject to last minute changes and cancellations, it's easy to see how you can keep OTP rolling.

The only unknown is whether this action resets the 2 month OTP window. It is my belief that the window is a fixed 2 month window of opportunity that expires 2 months after the bid month in which OTP hours are originally earned (i.e. earn OTP in Feb bid month, it turns into regular General Makeup at the end of April bid month). If anyone has actual experience that contradicts this, please let us know.

The only thing unethical I see here is if 1) someone is tipping you to when good deals are about to hit OT, 2) you got some program that is changing your time stamp, or 3) you are getting inside help that allows you to drop your OTP trip and then successfully pick it up before some regular schlub happens to.

Everyone's *****ing and moaning sounds an awful lot like complaining to the refs about how the other team is playing dirty. If we can't change the rules, then we have to police our own. Captains can help change behaviors by not giving guys landings or denying jumpseats. i'm just saying...

Nightflyer

Zpig,

I think all we are asking is that the union, who supposedly represents us, assist in "policing our own". If individuals take action, they may be subject to discipline for harassment. If the union takes action, they are acting for the majority of the pilots who are not violating the code of conduct, and it is a union matter.

If the union takes no action, they are supporting the behavior, and the honest among us should demand that the union act.

I think that is what we are trying to do with this thread, but the union still seems to have deaf ears.

What will it take to get the union's attention?

I don't know, but we are past the point where they should have made a statement or acted somehow, for the benefit of the honest, and for the benefit of unity.

pilot141

Guys,

The union is not deaf to this issue. They are VERY aware of it, but they have to walk a fine line. Discipline is normally the venue of the company, with the union defending the pilot. This case is unusual - both sides are aware that something fishy is going on, but there is nothing clear-cut to deal with it. Both sides are working it from their end.

For the guy who's rep told him to "quit whining" - that is unsat. You want the job, you take the spears. Thankfully there are enough guys willing to do the job, and do it well. Someone who is dismissive of his block members does not need to be in that job.

Overall, I think this thread has brought what a lot of us knew about into the bright light of day (especially for guys on other aircraft). And exposure to light is what rats and bugs hate the most.

Keep tracking the charters and X-pairings here. It is just more ammo in the bunker.

And if you want to talk to your block rep, please do. But also be willing to discuss other things, like how Section 6 Negotiations are going.

FlyBoyd

I'm new but not really that hard, IMO.

If you have another window/tab open, you can preload the pickup request. Drop the trip in one window and immediately pick it up in the other preloaded one. Only seconds elapse and you, most likely, beat everyone else with your GMU pickup request (except other OTPs). Do it at a known low pickup time and you are assured a good chance of success.

What makes it fool proof is the inside help.