Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?
12-26-2013, 04:22 AM
The Brown Dot +1
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Position: 777B
Posts: 7,775
When I get called by scheduling to cover a trip, it's happened twice in the last month, the scheduler has alluded to the other pilot as not really being sick. So, my opinion is there is a bias, within scheduling, to assume sick calls are bogus. I think a bias like that is how bad metrics get generated and therefore why decisions on how to respond to/handle the problem are faulty from the start.
12-26-2013, 04:45 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,612
When I get called by scheduling to cover a trip, it's happened twice in the last month, the scheduler has alluded to the other pilot as not really being sick. So, my opinion is there is a bias, within scheduling, to assume sick calls are bogus. I think a bias like that is how bad metrics get generated and therefore why decisions on how to respond to/handle the problem are faulty from the start.
12-26-2013, 04:47 AM
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,738
Holiday Pay, just like the other employees get, would solve all of Scheduling's coverage problems. There would be zero open time left to cover after the first PBS run, and there'd be guys lined up 5 deep to white slip anything that did come open over the holiday.
Every other employee group piggy backs on us when we get raises, I've never understood why that's only a one-way street, but it is.
Every other employee group piggy backs on us when we get raises, I've never understood why that's only a one-way street, but it is.
12-26-2013, 04:48 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Position: C560XL/XLS/XLS+
Posts: 1,278
I think a lot of the angst is probably due to all the sick call verification/accusation talk on here lately. I'm doubtful that every pilot who calls in sick is a target, just as every pilot who calls in sick is being entirely honest. I have no idea what the final lack of crew cancellation count will be, but I'm sure the lack of coverage will carry over into the next few days and into New Years.
I'm curious to see what the company says about it in a few days, and I really hope that communication doesn't come across as accusatory towards the pilot group in any way. Management, as good as they are right now, needs to be a little more fluid in their approach with the pilot group going into next contract.
Basically bank sick time, holiday pay, ability to green slip in advance on big holidays (or whenever scheduling will clearly run dry on reserves).....just a few ideas. If management plans on running an overally lean pilot staffing level then they will need to find other ways to get adequate coverage on certain holidays and/or summertime flying. Basically money talks, and sweetening the pot on busy days and de-incentivizing sick leave abuse are a better solution than not hiring while ignoring the problem.
Just a few of my own thoughts.
I'm curious to see what the company says about it in a few days, and I really hope that communication doesn't come across as accusatory towards the pilot group in any way. Management, as good as they are right now, needs to be a little more fluid in their approach with the pilot group going into next contract.
Basically bank sick time, holiday pay, ability to green slip in advance on big holidays (or whenever scheduling will clearly run dry on reserves).....just a few ideas. If management plans on running an overally lean pilot staffing level then they will need to find other ways to get adequate coverage on certain holidays and/or summertime flying. Basically money talks, and sweetening the pot on busy days and de-incentivizing sick leave abuse are a better solution than not hiring while ignoring the problem.
Just a few of my own thoughts.
12-26-2013, 05:02 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,612
Holiday Pay, just like the other employees get, would solve all of Scheduling's coverage problems. There would be zero open time left to cover after the first PBS run, and there'd be guys lined up 5 deep to white slip anything that did come open over the holiday.
Every other employee group piggy backs on us when we get raises, I've never understood why that's only a one-way street, but it is.
Every other employee group piggy backs on us when we get raises, I've never understood why that's only a one-way street, but it is.
There are always some things one group has that another does not. Overall however we do better then most of the other employees. As a example I don't know of any employees getting double pay for overtime.
12-26-2013, 05:11 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,113
Certainly we have some bad schedulers. We also have some very good ones. Some have a bias and some don't. If you are ever in training and have some spare time go over to scheduling and ask to be shown around. If it's a bad weather day you might find it a eye opening experience. Listen to how some pilots treat the schedulers. The road runs both ways.
At some time after the merger, I don't know if it was RA/SD/Big Data/new schedulers/NW Schedulers/changes in management/potential abuse/the post-BK era, somehow the green light was given to an entirely different stance, and sarcasm and doubt were institutionalized. Many schedulers are still pros, some are not.
Then again, it's pretty normal for people to act a little frustrated when given impossible tasks. If they're not given enough pilots for the flying...
Last edited by Sink r8; 12-26-2013 at 05:45 AM.
12-26-2013, 06:50 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Position: MD musical chairs
Posts: 239
12-26-2013, 07:35 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Posts: 917
12-26-2013, 07:37 AM
Get's Every Day Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Retired
Posts: 1,860
12-26-2013, 08:13 AM
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 121
Another point that gets lost in the shuffle of staffing is our profitability. I think management is running the company like we are on the verge of bankruptcy. I appreciate a cost conscious management style but now it is affecting the operation and it will not be long before it affects our bottom line in loss of revenue. We do not need to spend money like drunken sailors but we need to adequately fund the operation to be able to deal with contingincies. I see it the same as upgrading jfk or adding lie flat seats to our planes. we must spend the money to upgrade the operation. We will never have this opportunity again in our lifetime where all three of our major competitors are merging. we should not spoil it by ****ing away our lead because we did not invest in our airline.
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