unusually sick the first year?

[172driver]

Along the same lines...if you are visibly, terribly sick, please don't come to work. I don't really want to breathe your air for the next four days.

 

[NuGuy]

My personal opinion regarding wiping down the cockpit with alcohol swabs is that it is an exercise in futility. I just don't think you get the duration or the coverage that would be required to kill much of anything, and obviously it does nothing to combat airborne pathogens.

I have to agree here, especially when the airborne pathogens come from the a$$hat sitting next to you that should have called in sick, which, IMHO, is 10 times worse that calling in sick when your not.

Nothing torques me more than flying with someone who is obviously sick, and listening to them claim "I've never used a sick day in my life"...meanwhile while thinking about how many crewmates have had to call in sick after flying with this walking, incubating dooshbag.

Nu

 

[shamrock]

You guys must work at a Company with a more enlightened view of sick crew members.

Many Companies, mine included, have a contradictory "we don't want you to come to work sick, but if you call in we'll write you up" policy. And you'll also have your first days block time docked from your monthly guarantee.

Showing up to work sick because you have never called in is stupid. Showing up to work sick because you will be disciplined (and lose a chunk of $$) if you call in again is still stupid, but somewhat understandable.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

By the way, as hard as it may be to believe, consumption of alcohol does NOT improve your immune system.

What kind of pilot are you?

 

[NuGuy]

Many Companies, mine included, have a contradictory "we don't want you to come to work sick, but if you call in we'll write you up" policy. And you'll also have your first days block time docked from your monthly guarantee.

You guys make your own bed, in this case. If I was you, when sick, my first move would be to go to the doctor. Second, when questioned by the company, I would fax them the note from the doctor. The third would be to file a greivance (if applicable in your situation). Fouth, if they attempted write me up or conduct ANY other kind of disciplinary action, my next step would be to take all the documentaion to the local FSDO, and write THEM up for trying to force me to fly sick, against the FARs. End of problem.

Nu

 

[shamrock]

I hear ya, Nu.

Our policy is that 3 "occurances" in 6 months and/or 4 in 12 months will earn you a "Please see a CP to discuss your attendance" letter. The CP's (in my experience) don't worry too much about it, but you do get a letter that I believe goes in your file. I've pretty much always had a Doctor's note, but it doesn't make any difference in how things are carried out. Par for the course here at ASA, I'm afraid.

You have me curious if anyone has pushed this issue beyond the Company. Any Candler-types have any idea?

 

[Mach92]

My first year at a regional, I was sick as a dog. I seriously had to call in like 25 days. I wont fly sick but your on probation what do you do? I tryed all that wipe down stuff dint work. Funny thing is when I left the regionals for a fractional BOOM never sick. My guess is the air in the cabin with sick pax in the back must do a number on us pilots. I have been pretty much sick free now since.

 

[AlwaysLearning]

Shamrock, you guys have it pretty tough. Piedmont's "Attendance Policy" is pretty leniant, compared to yours.

First and second sick calls, nothing. Number of days out doesn't matter either, anything over 4 requires a phone call to the Chief Pilot (his secretary since he doesn't do his job). Third sick call gets a registered letter letting you know you have called in sick 3 times, fourth gets phone call to above mentioned secratary, fifth gets a letter in your file and counciling session, sixth gets another letter and another counciling session and a 3 day suspension, seventh gets you fired. This is all on a rolling tweleve month period. Not too bad, unless you really are sick more than that, especially in your first year in a new climate.

The problem here though is that there is no provisions for doctors notes, etc to cancel an occurence, so you could get sick, only stay out 1 or 2 days get better go back get sick again and so on and burn up 7 in 12 mos easy. Especially since everyone is afraid to call in sick so everyone is getting everyone else sick. It's a vicious circle. Whatta you do?

 

[AA717driver]

If you don't call in sick at least 4 times a year (spaced evenly--once a quarter) you're a management suck up! TC

 

[LAXSaabdude]

Another thing to consider, if your company supplies headsets, you may want to use your own. I got sick quite a bit my first year, but I started using my own headset, and got sick a lot less frequently after that.

LAXSaabdude.

 

[shamrock]

If you don't call in sick at least 4 times a year (spaced evenly--once a quarter) you're a management suck up! TC

At ASA, if you bid a nap (stand up) line you can get 8 days off by calling in for one chunk of 3 naps, and you'll only burn 8-12 hours of sick time. Not a bad vacation!

I haven't taken advantage of it because I've used my sick time being sick, but it's an interesting idea.

 

[AlwaysLearning]

Explain to me how these stand up overnites (COD i think they are called) lines work?

 

[172driver]

A pilot is allowed to be on duty up to 16 hrs. Some contracts lower that number, but we'll use 16. You fly a trip, usually one leg out of domicile at night and back in the morning, all in less than 16 hrs of duty. You receive less than 8 hrs of rest in between legs, making it continuous duty. Usually the company provides a hotel in between, good for a 4-6 hour nap. You're off all day the next day, providing you legal rest to go do it again.

Example:
You report for work at 22:00, fly at 23:00 for 1.5 hrs, putting you at the hotel around 01:00. You have a 05:00 show the next day to fly home. Should release from duty around 08:00. You have been on continuous duty for ten hrs. Basically, you're working the graveyard shift.

Some companies have limitations on duty, minimum time on the ground, duty rigs, limits on number of legs. Obviously, in my example, you would only be flying 50 hrs or so per month so a duty rig is greatly desired to up the pay. At CMR, you get 2:1, duty to pay. So, if you did the above trip (10 hrs duty) 16 days a month, you would have 160 hrs of duty and be paid for 80 hrs. Clear as mud?

 

[Typhoon1244]

My mom didn't allow me out of the house unattended during MY first year. No colds either. Musta been the breast milk.

You know, you really should be trying to wean yourself by now...must've been quite a sight during sim periods.

 

[shamrock]

Explain to me how these stand up overnites (COD i think they are called) lines work?

172Driver has it right. At ASA, we don't have any trip or duty rigs, but the rest applies. The main problem with "continuous duty" is that you are the buffer that keeps the schedule going. Since you are considered to be on duty the whole night, it is legal to leave several hours late and still have an on time departure in the morning. You absorb the delay and the schedule stays relatively on track.

The upside is that you are done when you get back to base in the morning. Knowing that scheduling can't touch you when you get back is a huge plus, at least to me. Our schedules have us doing 3 naps in a row with 2 days off, but it's a long 2 days. Finishing your 3rd nap on Monday morning, you have the rest of Monday, all of Tuesday and Wednesday, and most of Thursday off. Not a bad break.

There is a divide in opinions on these type of trips. Some people absolutely hate them, and some like them. I have to agree with the haters. Only crazy people bid naps.

Repeat after me: Naps are bad. I will not bid naps!