757Driver

Going to completely disagree with you here. We were previously allowed to PTC up with a simple e-mail and the Union even came out giving instructions on how to do it. Those that don't read either the company or ALPA's bulletins didn't do this and felt miffed and complained.

ALPA approached the company about codifying it and were rebuked. Instead of pressing the issue, ALPA walked away and said we're done here achieving what they originally hoped for all along. No pick-ups during vacation as they know whats best for you AND it will help increase staffing.

Problem here is that those of us with 42 days of vacation face this dilemma a lot more than those with less vacation. In essence we're penalized by not being able to improve our schedule while those that are junior, can. I know, I know, boo-hoo for me and my 42 days but if I want to add some time during one of my vacation months then I should have the right to do so. My more junior friends do this at will and I can't? Complete BS, IMO and needs to be fixed with the next contract. Many of the guys at my seniority are dumping their vacation into their 401k just to avoid this and decreasing the staffing nullifying ALPA's attempt to do the polar opposite.

Is the company a bad guy in all of this? Of course, but ALPA can and should reengage until its corrected giving all of us a chance to make the decision for ourselves if we'd like to pick up time or not.

UALinIAH

That's not true. The company would not allow people in overstaffed BES to take advantage. ALPA says everyone gets it or nobody. It was all covered in the Oct 22, 2016 MEC email.

"The MEC was briefed on the Company policy explained to you in previous communications as the “PTC Plus-Up Policy.” This policy was designed by the Company as an incentive to pick up open time during a vacation month, but only applied to pilots in categories where the line average was above 70. Disparate treatment of pilots like this is unacceptable."

horrido27

Not going to get to indepth here, as I will be attacked as being 'Anti Union' (which I am not).
That being said, there is a work around for being able to add a little flying during a vacation month. Or at least, it has worked for me.
I noticed that when I got my Schedule for Sept, I had 4 days of vacation at the end of the month, with the other 3 carrying over into Oct.
Well, looking at my Pay, I saw my PTC was governing (higher than my MPG). Therefor, anything extra flown would be paid full.

The key is knowing how and what to look at in your Pay Register.
Unfortunately, the majority of pilots do not. At least that is the impression I get from talking to them in cockpits, bars and at the last union meeting where it was a subject of discussion.

Something else a lot of pilots don't know is that they can move vacation days.. within the month and also into next month (after CCS has your PBS schedule loaded, on the 18th).

Both the company and the union don't make it easy.. as they both have their own agenda. It behooves us to understand all the gotcha's and loopholes and work it to your advantage.

As far as PBS.. yeah, needs some fixing but won't hold my breathe that it will happen. It doesn't honor seniority and it seems many are ok with that~
Would be nice if a PBS exploratory group was formed to look at possible solutions, compare other pilot groups PBS and offer our pilots some choices.

Motch

John Carr

Good point. While you're at it, give away scope.

Those jobs that will gained with more NB or SNB fleets DONT need to brought in house. As long as YOUR JOB is intact/protected

El10

The entire purpose of the G line is to guarantee your seniority gets you a line instead of being on reserve. That is protecting seniority and honoring seniority. Trips are awarded in seniority. Not one trip is awarded to a junior pilot to make the junior pilot happier. Agian protecting the seniority of the senior pilot. The only time a senior pilot does not get a trip he bid for is because it prevents a junior pilot (who's seniority entitles him to a line holder) a legal schedule. Would our pilots be willing to allow reserve lines be built for senior pilots that have only a few trips to make them a complete and legal schedule? Which type of seniority trumps the other? Does seniority entitle you to avoid reserve at the expense of a possible trip, or does seniority entitle you to a trip over getting a line?

Every system has its pros and cons. Even pre built lines had lots of cons.

DashTrash

I was under the impression that if you are above the G-line and bid reserve, you become a "line donor"? Not true?

terminal

Giving away scope hurts my job. Why would I give away scope?
Scope protection is 100% in keeping with what I stated.

Bring a 100 seater or negotiate a pay rate for the 75.

We should never have gotten rid of those pilot jobs that WERE in house.

Not allowing me to fly on my vacation does one thing- causes a greater manpower requirement just for the sake of doing so...there's just a tad bit of difference befwen scope and letting guys pickup.

Heck I'll even make the stretch of an argument that not picking up and/or limiting your hours causes the company to outsource.

El10

Not allowing me to fly on my vacation does one thing- it says to the company that pilots should have less vacation. (Fixed it for you)

Something I hope never gets considered.

terminal

tell that to the SWA Captain that just made 98,000$ in JULY....because of how they get paid for vacation and can pick up trips on their vacation. and get paid for those too...and drop trips they were originally scheduled for on vacation...and get paid for those too.

and it says..no I can do whatever I want on my vacation.

Knotcher

Forward thinking solutions are not allowed...we are trying to stick it to Tilton