ASA & LOA benefits

[centralpilot]

I've got a bit of a problem with my travel benefits at ASA. Last weekend I took a 3-day LOA to serve as best-man at a friend's wedding. Unfortunately I couldn't hold weekends off and the reserve golden days didn't fall right, so the LOA was my only choice. I was initially concerned about benefit interruptions, but was assured by a chief pilot that there would be no problems if the LOA was under 15 days. I confirmed this in our contract, and so proceeded without worries.

Sure enough, when trying to nonrev back to ATL on the last day of the LOA I found that I had no S3 or S2 passes available. CASS was also screwed up so I couldn't jumpseat. After missing two flights I finally got hold of a chief pilot to authorize the use of an S1A and made it back to ATL. Of course, now that I'm back to work, I still have to waste time calling people to turn my benefits back on, with no success thus far.

Has anyone else had problems like this? Does ASA management do everything possible to discourage pilots from getting days off the honest way? I forfeited pay to do this properly and avoid using a sick call, but it definitely wasn't worth the hassle. Of course, as badly as ASA manages everything else, I don't know why I'm surprised.

 

[ASA_Aviator]

I've got a bit of a problem with my travel benefits at ASA. Last weekend I took a 3-day LOA to serve as best-man at a friend's wedding. Unfortunately I couldn't hold weekends off and the reserve golden days didn't fall right, so the LOA was my only choice. I was initially concerned about benefit interruptions, but was assured by a chief pilot that there would be no problems if the LOA was under 15 days. I confirmed this in our contract, and so proceeded without worries.

Sure enough, when trying to nonrev back to ATL on the last day of the LOA I found that I had no S3 or S2 passes available. CASS was also screwed up so I couldn't jumpseat. After missing two flights I finally got hold of a chief pilot to authorize the use of an S1A and made it back to ATL. Of course, now that I'm back to work, I still have to waste time calling people to turn my benefits back on, with no success thus far.

Has anyone else had problems like this? Does ASA management do everything possible to discourage pilots from getting days off the honest way? I forfeited pay to do this properly and avoid using a sick call, but it definitely wasn't worth the hassle. Of course, as badly as ASA manages everything else, I don't know why I'm surprised.

Unfortunately, the LOA codes automatically cause things to shut off with CASS, but I'm not sure about the non-rev benefits. I took a short leave, and had the same problems. I feel your pain!

 

[centralpilot]

Unfortunately, the LOA codes automatically cause things to shut off with CASS, but I'm not sure about the non-rev benefits. I took a short leave, and had the same problems. I feel your pain!

If they automatically shut that stuff down on any LOA, regardless of length, that seems to conflict with contract section 9-I-4, unless I'm missing something.

 

[geardown]

Just wait and see if the morons actually pay you! I took a leave and when I returned they showed me as terminated in payroll a month after I was back.

 

[centralpilot]

Just wait and see if the morons actually pay you! I took a leave and when I returned they showed me as terminated in payroll a month after I was back.

Oh, that's special...

 

[ASA_Aviator]

Oh, that's special...

Question is...was it worth it? I believe next time I would make use of the sick call system...but that's just me. Good job for trying to do the "right" thing.

 

[FmrFreightDog]

Question is...was it worth it? I believe next time I would make use of the sick call system...but that's just me. Good job for trying to do the "right" thing.

Except he said he had to fly to the wedding. Doesn't work too well after you've called in sick.

By the way, who did you have to jerk off to get an LOA/trip drop? My understanding was that they were pretty much rubber stamping anything short of an emergency with a "no".

 

[601Pilot]

Except he said he had to fly to the wedding. Doesn't work too well after you've called in sick.

By the way, who did you have to jerk off to get an LOA/trip drop? My understanding was that they were pretty much rubber stamping anything short of an emergency with a "no".

Just call in sick and J/S on another airline; easy way around that crap!

 

[centralpilot]

Except he said he had to fly to the wedding. Doesn't work too well after you've called in sick.

By the way, who did you have to jerk off to get an LOA/trip drop? My understanding was that they were pretty much rubber stamping anything short of an emergency with a "no".

Also, I'd already tipped my hand to a chief pilot earlier in the year before I knew better, so a sick call was definitely out. Anyway, when I saw that bidding reserve golden days wasn't going to work I bid relief, expecting to get screwed on my days off request. I talked to FL and he suggested the LOA request. I have no idea why it was approved, except possibly that we have more First Officers on the ATR than we need right now. Its a good thing they did, because the relief line wound up with 3 off days leading up to the ones I needed; I'd have been flying or sitting reserve for sure.

EDIT: BTW, it wasn't a trip drop; I had the LOA approved before the finals came out.

 

[FmrFreightDog]

Just call in sick and J/S on another airline; easy way around that crap!

CASS. That doesn't work anymore either.

 

[Freight Dog]

CASS doesn't shut off when you call in sick.

 

[rtmcfi]

CASS doesn't shut off when you call in sick.

True, but your employer will have a record of the CASS request. If you call in sick, then are trying to jumpseat, well, you know the rest......

 

[HarryParatestes]

True. CASS will allow your company to track you request for J/S.

 

[TX_DFW]

I had the exact same problem after a 4 day LOA, it took two weeks to get back in the system. I just used s1A untill i was reactivated.

 

[centralpilot]

I had the exact same problem after a 4 day LOA, it took two weeks to get back in the system. I just used s1A untill i was reactivated.

Well, thankfully it didn't take that long. It took multiple calls per day for 5 days, but it looks like I'm back in business on Travelnet. I'd like to assume that means CASS will be fixed as well, but I'm not betting money on it.

 

[goahead]

Cheers to the CARDS.....

 

[John Pennekamp]

True. CASS will allow your company to track you request for J/S.

There's nothing in our contract or FOM that says you can't jumpseat sick. It only prohibits use of travel benefits, aka non revving, while on sick leave.

Here's another one for you: You can legally use someone else's travel bennies while sick, such as a spouse's benefits or someone's buddy passes. Call the pass bureau if you don't believe me, 100% legal and done it many times.