NJA 7n7

[Melfly]

Do the 7n7 schedules start on the same day each bid period? ie. Sunday-Saturday every week, or do the start/end days change?
Thanks

 

[CA1900]

Do the 7n7 schedules start on the same day each bid period? ie. Sunday-Saturday every week, or do the start/end days change?

Different fleets have different start days, and it's on a two-week rotation. The Excel, for example, has start days on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and repeats every other week (for the 7 off, when someone else will be on).

 

[Dr Pepper]

Your start and stop days will be the same, unless you get bumped off a line during the open bid cycle (happens once a year).

 

[Melfly]

Thank you both for your reply's. The only reason I could see it mattering, is if your start day was on sunday... your weekends would always be broken up.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Thank you both for your reply's. The only reason I could see it mattering, is if your start day was on sunday... your weekends would always be broken up.

That is true but some people do like that start day, believe it or not. There's also a limitation in the new contract that limits Sunday starts to no more than 15% of the 7/7 lines.

I'm waiting to see how the open bid period will work out with regards to the company potentially changing start days for a given fleet. Put another way, it looks like the company could change fleet start days once a year if it chooses to do so.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I like Sunday starts. No traffic.

 

[Ultra Grump]

Put another way, it looks like the company could change fleet start days once a year if it chooses to do so.

And if they do that, guess what? Everyone on the seam. Free days work for the company - nice.

 

[imacdog]

And if they do that, guess what? Everyone on the seam. Free days work for the company - nice.

Have a look at 19.5(C)(2) and (3); it's not quite as you say it is.

 

[Ultra Grump]

You might want to read it a little closer, and do a little math.

 

[imacdog]

What math is that? It's not as simple as the company being able to get free days out of every pilot on the list. You know that.

 

[Ultra Grump]

Maybe you should have read the IBB proposal before checking the "YES" box.

The language you are skimming over is this: "all workdays in excess of seven (7) during the seam period."

The "seam period" is 14 days. If you work more than 7 days in the seam period, you will be paid for the extra days. Now take your 7&7 line, and work out your schedule for the June period if you were to transition to any other 7&7 line. Then count not only how many extra days you will work during the "seam period" but also for the year. You will find that you will work several more days for the year than you are actually paid for, including those paid for in the seam.

This is true for nearly every 7&7 line-change combination. But you knew that, right?

 

[imacdog]

Yes, I did know that some seam lines will result in more work days per year (total) than a) other seam lines and b) remaining on your normal 7/7 line. That is still an improvement from the 2005 contract. But remember, if the company changes more than 20% of the lines, then those pilots above that 20% can choose not to work the extra days. Combine that with the shorter trips/less productivity during a seam period and the company would be doing itself a disservice to change every single line, as you alluded to. We will see how it goes when the first open bid comes around. At least I got my bid entered correctly for this period unlike some of our guys. How's that for reading comprehension.

 

[Ultra Grump]

But remember, if the company changes more than 20% of the lines, then those pilots above that 20% can choose not to work the extra days.

That is really no different than the regular "pay for extra days" language. It only applies to extra days in the seam period. Once again, you will work extra days that are not in the "seam period" in virtually every line change scenario = free work days for the company. What do free work days equal? In my book, that's increased productivity, not decreased.

 

[gunfyter]

You can avoid working extra days by never bidding another 7&7 line without inserting a 15 day or 18 day schedule in between. There is no seam then.

IOW if you want to switch from tuesday to thursday starts... bid one 15 or 18 day schedule first... then go to the thursday.

There are occasionally 7&7 lines that work fewer days during the bid period than the 15 day flex schedule. You could bid that schedule and then bid the 15... no seam involved... then bid back to another 7&7.

 

[gutshotdraw]

Okay, now you're making my head hurt. That's one thing that's great about our shop. 7 n 7. End of story. You want to make a few extra bucks, you can call Crew Resources and volunteer for extra days. Simple.