sig598

Im a domestic guy, so not sure of the exact details, but there's some deal where the intl guys can do 24 hrs of short call due to the augmented crew on intl flights (not sure, maybe an int'l guy can confirm this?). Also, as far as 6 days of short call, everybody starts the month on long call everyday that they are on call. SKDs will call a day in advance and tell you they need you for short call tomorrow from Xam until Xpm. They can do this 6 times per month. I have had several months were Ive put in requests for short call (to try to get them all out of the way) and been denied. Ive called and asked, "why no SC for tomm? I requested it." Only to be told that they decided the resources would be better to use someone else. So, who knows? Im thinkin a computer decides and they are just button pushers like us. Though I have nothing to back this up, just a guess.

NWA320pilot

Interesting as that is not how FNWA interprets it. We have the reserve availability period that is 15 hours in length and then a 9 hour FAR rest. Crew scheds cannot contact you during your rest period either. If on long call the rest doesnt' apply due to having a 12 hour call and that is considered your rest.

buzzpat

Yeah, I hear you. I'm a former USAF heavy driver and we had much better protection (in terms of predeparture rest) then DAL has.

That being said, I can't complain with the way the trips fall out. Every once-in-a-while I feel like I got jammed but most all the time not. I do think that its the computers putting it all together and the schedulers only get involved for the non-standard stuff. My biggest complaint are the show times on the road with no chance to eat (early, nothing open, etc), then a 40 or 45 minute turn somewhere (with a gate change). That stuff irks me. Crew meals only apply for 5+ hour legs now. That sucks.

NWA320pilot

Most of the north guys pretty much work under the rule of "if you are hungry you need to eat and if a flight is delayed its just the cost of scheduling unrealistic". Personally I feel it is unsafe to fly when hungry so I don't.

buzzpat

That seems to be the common approach for the Delta South guys too. I don't know anyone that will pass up the chance to eat in order to push on time. Some of the enroute turn times are unrealistic even without that. But, that's the hand we're dealt. Guys will also bust their butt to move on time but not in lieu of taking care of themselves. As you so accurately put it, its unsafe. ****ed off pax is the result of poor scheduling techniques.

KC10 FATboy

While I hope you are right, why would they even post it if they weren't happy with it? Maybe after DALPA looks at it maybe it might change.

Hawaii50

It's the same in the south. I've seen Capts tell agents they're not boarding until the FAs get to eat as well. I love the eye rolls when the Capt exercises his authority but in my opinion this industry could use a lot more of it.

sailingfun

Whitlow does not apply to international so no FAR issues.

sailingfun

I spoke with 3 different pilots who were at the meeting. None heard the above statement. The statement is put together from several different areas discussed and is put together to convey something that was not said. There is also a tread on the ALPA forum discussing this exact statement that backs up that it is incorrect from other pilots who were there.

RockyBoy

They do have a computer program that analyzes the reserves available and "recommends" which ones get short call. It has nothing to do with seniority, requests for short call, or your raw score. They usually just do what the computer spits out. You can sometimes talk them out of moving your callout time to a later or earlier time, but you will probably never talk them out of moving you back to long call if you get assigned a short call. Also, don't forget that if you get assigned a trip on your first day of a block of reserve days that has a report time before 12:00, it counts as one of your short call days. Sometimes they forget to credit that to you.