Waves

I hardly fly as it is and all my vacation generally just evaporates without notice. I don't even bid for any of them. I have never sold a single day of vacation, but I was thinking what a waste that is. I fly so little I can barely remember what the overhead panel looks like. So why keep my vacation? This is probably a stupid question, but can one sell vacation time after they have already been awarded, or does it have to occur when the period is open for bidding? Just wondering.

Waves

Gee Jack, does that mean I will now actually have to fly at least one trip per month instead of sitting on my can for the entire month and annoying everyone on this thread on a daily basis? Maybe then I will remember what the overhead panel looks like, or that yoke steering wheel thingy. Rolling Thunder, maybe in LAX, but a joke where I'm based. We cover way more LAX trips than we ever do our own.

Jack Bauer

I don't care if you fly or don't fly. A lot of pilots liked having reserve as an option to spend time with family and more time at home in the winter months. Having options are a good thing for pilots after BK gutted many other good work rules. Another good option is gone now. We have some sweaty dollars to show for it. Yay....a DALPA victory!

newKnow

Now now fellas. The vote is over. No fighting. The only thing left to do is tease Bill. Ok?

DeadHead

I'm actually a little surprised. Would've expected a little more gloating from Lawnchair.

DAL4EVER

Jack, I get what you are saying. As someone who bid senior reserve on purpose a couple of years ago it was awesome doing one trip a month. The flip side to that though is that meant we were way overstaffed. As someone who spent five years on furlough I would rather do more flying and know my job is safe than enjoy months of no productivity and know that we are one black swan event away from the street.

76drvr

More Delta brand flying for Delta pilots. More Delta pilot block hours, more Delta pilot jobs and upgrades. More flying, more jobs, more pay, great job ALPA!

76drvr

We just had a survey of 94% of eligible voters.

DAL73n

I'm a little confused about something some people were stating about a new 737-900 base. I thought the 737-900 was on the same type as 737-700/800 so those of us 73n qualified will just get some differences training like we did when the -700 came aboard. So, we don't need a new 737-900 base, it will be a 73n base like all the other 73n bases (not to say DTW couldn't be a new 73n base when CVG closes down). Anyone see the 737-900 differently?

Thanks

Jack Bauer

And I see what you are saying but if this is only about being a lean operation, trying to remain furlough proof (which cannot ever be guaranteed btw) why not just keep giving?

There used to be trip touching vacation pay, very nice PBS free lines and a host of other niceties that have been given or taken away the past fifteen years. Pilots fly a lot more than they used to and their health, family life and marriages have suffered. At some point we need to find some leadership that will quit trading in work rules for a bit more pay (which keeps getting reset through BK btw).

I just think the current trend is hurting individuals and the profession. Who am I to argue with the union machine that just gave you a completely one sided view of the new contract though. Now it is time to live with it until some point in the future when (if ever) leverage is available to turn this profession around. Good luck to us all in the mean time.