CAL ALPA in support of CJC pilots to revamp sick policy

[suupah]

September 8, 2009
For Immediate Release

Continental Pilots Call for Revised Fatigue, Sick-Call Policies for Fellow Pilots at Colgan, Pinnacle

HOUSTON, TEXAS---The Continental pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Intl. (ALPA), are supporting the efforts of their fellow pilots at Colgan and Pinnacle to get management to re-examine their fatigue and sick-call policies. A recent article in The Buffalo News (Colgan pilots say many felt pressure to work while ill, Sept. 6, 2009) highlights the issue.

Capt. Jay Pierce, chairman of the ALPA unit representing Continental pilots, says, “The rules of the FAA and just plain common sense are clear on the issues of fatigue and illness – you don’t fly when you’re not fully rested or when you’re sick. As captains and first officers, we’re responsible for the safety of the flight and our passengers. Pilots must be allowed to make the critical decision to fly or not fly, without fear of losing pay, their jobs or facing discipline.”

ALPA represents nearly 53,500 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada, including the approximately 5,000 pilots at Continental Airlines. There are currently 147 pilots on furlough from Continental. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org.

 

[WalterSobchak]

CALPA sure seems to be a really supportive group, these days...

 

[flyjen30]

What is the present policy? At ASA you call in sick and get an occurrence, Dr.'s note included. Can't figure out why our new contract did not do away with this juvenile policy. Hopefully you all have better luck!

 

[dooork]

What is the present policy? At ASA you call in sick and get an occurrence, Dr.'s note included. Can't figure out why our new contract did not do away with this juvenile policy. Hopefully you all have better luck!

Can't figure it out....let me help.....because the pilot group voted yes.

 

[suupah]

The CJC policy is an occurence policy as well

1st 3 occurrences in a rolling 12month period warrants no disciplinary action but a Dr's note can be requested at the whim of a crew scheduler.

on the 4th you get verbal counseling (with a written notice of said VERBAL counseling)
on the 5th you get a written warning
on the 6th you get suspended
on the 7th you get FIRED!!!!

A lot of regional airlines have similar policies. They need to be done away with.

 

[Jar Jar]

under the cjc policy is a sick call for an entire 4-day trip counted as just one occurence?

 

[suupah]

under the cjc policy is a sick call for an entire 4-day trip counted as just one occurence?

An occurence counts for however days you are out consecutively. You have to call out each day though.

 

[redflyer65]

Those guys need all the help they can get.

Good luck and hope there is some improvement!

 

[JustaNumber]

1st 3 occurrences in a rolling 12month period warrants no disciplinary action but a Dr's note can be requested at the whim of a crew scheduler.

on the 4th you get verbal counseling (with a written notice of said VERBAL counseling)
on the 5th you get a written warning
on the 6th you get suspended
on the 7th you get FIRED!!!!

From my understanding, most airlines have the above policy to discourage sick call-out abuse, but don't ever enforce it, beyond the written warning stuff. You could own the company (if it wasn't shut down first by the FAA) if they fired you for refusing to violate a federal regulation.

 

[suupah]

From my understanding, most airlines have the above policy to discourage sick call-out abuse, but don't ever enforce it, beyond the written warning stuff. You could own the company (if it wasn't shut down first by the FAA) if they fired you for refusing to violate a federal regulation.

This is probably true, however the reality is that people are flying ill sometimes because of fear of this policy.

 

[Smoking Man]

From my understanding, most airlines have the above policy to discourage sick call-out abuse, but don't ever enforce it, beyond the written warning stuff. You could own the company (if it wasn't shut down first by the FAA) if they fired you for refusing to violate a federal regulation.

I know of a PSA pilot who was fired for violation of the attendence policy.

 

[WayBack]

CALPA sure seems to be a really supportive group, these days...

In the end, what does their support really do? Pay raise? Better scheduling? Ah, that's right.....nothing. Nothing but a "photo-op" for ALPA to get into the news again.

As far as requesting Dr Notes, I've talked to a fed who said that the FAA frowns on Dr notes, because they view it as the company not believing the pilot. In turn, forcing that pilot to a Dr's office for a simple head cold.
I've heard that some companies are trying to do away with sick calls, and making their pilots get FMLA.

 

[suupah]

In the end, what does their support really do? Pay raise? Better scheduling? Ah, that's right.....nothing. Nothing but a "photo-op" for ALPA to get into the news again.

As far as requesting Dr Notes, I've talked to a fed who said that the FAA frowns on Dr notes, because they view it as the company not believing the pilot. In turn, forcing that pilot to a Dr's office for a simple head cold.
I've heard that some companies are trying to do away with sick calls, and making their pilots get FMLA.

Hopefully it will end up on CAL mgmt's desk if enough noise is made. They don't want their rep tarnished by some half ass t prop shop.

 

[samballs]

In the end, what does their support really do? Pay raise? Better scheduling? Ah, that's right.....nothing. Nothing but a "photo-op" for ALPA to get into the news again.

As far as requesting Dr Notes, I've talked to a fed who said that the FAA frowns on Dr notes, because they view it as the company not believing the pilot. In turn, forcing that pilot to a Dr's office for a simple head cold.
I've heard that some companies are trying to do away with sick calls, and making their pilots get FMLA.

2 years ago OH made the flt atts do that and do that they did. Just about everyone of them got FMLA and used it, the company got what it asked for.

 

[Fred Rogers]

From my understanding, most airlines have the above policy to discourage sick call-out abuse, but don't ever enforce it, beyond the written warning stuff. You could own the company (if it wasn't shut down first by the FAA) if they fired you for refusing to violate a federal regulation.

Wish that were true, but we have had people suspended for sick calls. I know that the FAA, NTSB, and Congress are FULLY aware of the situation.

Enter politics and $$$.