The Walrus

Since any sick call now has a very good chance of requiring a Dr note, calling in sick for a holiday is of no greater hassle. I will quit using my seniority to bid around xmas, new years, 4th of july etc. I will just pony up my $20 and fly the line that I want.

C17MooseDriver

You make an absolutely good point.

The Walrus

I tell my wife that constantly.

Gunter

Holy Unintended Consequences Batman!

FDXLAG

If you put a $100 into your HCSA the company will give you a visa card and you can pay the copay with pre tax money.

Maybe at the next Buffalo Wild Wings event the Union can hire a Doctor to pass out notes attesting that you have hay fever along with a discount beer that you will now be able to consume.

FDX28

Maybe instead of spending the money to fight the company on this stupid policy, they should just find some doctor that would write a note for all pilots without being seen. The doctor, who could be paid a flat rate by the union dues, is not prescribing anything, or attesting that treatment was given, but just a note.

DLax85

This idea should be seriously considered, since a pilot is required by FAA regs to call in sick when unfit to fly

The regs do not require a pilot to see a doctor

I would say the majority of reasons one is unfit to fly --- common cold, digestive track issues, etc --- do not rise to the level above rest, hydration, home remedies and perhaps over the counter medications

Once again --- ask BCBS --- they would much rather you call their Nurse Line and just talk about what you can do to self treat/medicate, rather than have you run off and see an actual doctor thereby driving up healthcare costs.

In the Grievance Hearing letter management even states that some pilots have been excused from having to provide a doctors note after consulting with management pilots.

They claim this relief is available under their new system.

The process under a centralized doctor for minor ailments would be simple:

Call in sick for minor ailment

Possibly Trigger request for Drs Note

Email PAC that your illness only required rest, hydration and self medication --- and thus you did not see a doctor --- ask for a waiver

Waiver Denied (company's decision)

Call/email the ALPA Doc and inform him of your minor illness which only required rest, hydration and self medication

Much like the Nurse Line rep, the Doc can agree, but then he can also provide you a standard note which does not disclose privacy protected information

Its the companies choice on how much administrative red tape they want to generate over minor ailments, however it's not their choice on your treatment methods or which doctor you chose to consult

With a centralized, common doctor for minor ailments the system could play out in a very automated, objective manner --- based on years of common medical expertise and accepted practice

That's what they claim they're doing on their end --- we can stand united and do it on our end as well.

DLax85

Dear PAC

I consulted with XXXX today regarding his/her recent ailment

The proper level of medical care was provided.

Dr ALPA

Next please...

outaluckagain

In a previous job, non flying, we had a real hard time with sick policy. It was called absence management. A real POS PITA if you ask me.

You guys should really focus on this, and find a way around it. The last thing you will want is management getting more control of you!!

I was a Steward, and I saw plenty of people getting forced into working sick.

moondoggie11

I know a guy who has never provided a doctor's note after being directed to submit one...called in sick before the policy change several times over holidays and at least twice since the policy change and never heard another word about it...trust me. Simply emailed his FOA, ACP, Fleet Mgr or PAC, as the case may be, with a very short explanation concluded by the fact that he self-medicated. Demanding a doctor's note is just a scare tactic...similar to union busting.