SCHEDULING MATTERS

MATTERS

Oct 24, 2013

Usually, if our paycheck dollar amount looks about right, then we call it good. The amount of time

and level of detail required to audit is probably more than many of us want to commit to unless we suspect an error. Fortunately, we rarely experience problems with payroll. Nonetheless, knowing “how a pairing pays” is critical to your current rights and your contractual future, especially when it comes time to evaluate how any future CBA pay rule changes could affect pairing pay and design. Trip rig, duty rigs, block over 10 and other pay provisions play important factors in determining BLG/RLG, but equally important is tracking the “actual” number of credit hours you accrued and will be paid for on the 15th of the following month. This first of a three part series on pay focuses on basic pay provisions. Specifically, we’ll look at BLG/RLG, trip guarantee, and the computation of actual credit hours.

Bid Line Guarantee & Reserve Line Guarantee Probably the single most important part of your monthly pay revolves around how your BLG/RLG is calculated. BLG/RLG determines the “base” pay for each of your monthly paychecks. BLG is defined as either the Minimum Bid Period Guarantee (MBPG 68/85 CH) OR as awarded/adjusted.

 

CBA  SECTION  

4  Describes  

MBPG,  BLG,  and  

RLG  

CLICK  HERE  to  v

isit!  

Fuzzy  About  Pay?    Consider  Printing  or  Saving  this  Article  for  Future  Reference  

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RLG A pilot who is awarded a reserve line shall have an RLG equal to the value of an R-day multiplied by the number of R-days scheduled on a reserve line for the bid period package (i.e., up to a maximum of 15 or 19 days). After phase in, including carry in adjustments and any trips removed without pay or awarded in the Monthly Make-Up Bid (View/Add), the pilot will have established his BLG/RLG. BLG is generally determined by adding the individual trip guarantees, so lets take a look at HOW TRIP GUARANTEE IS CALCULATED

Either… 1. Time away from base (T) - TAFB (1CH for each 3.75 hours away) with block over 10 added into trip guarantee. Or… 2. The sum of the credit hour values of the duty periods, which is computed as the highest of a, b, or c below

Trip Guarantee

 Time  Away    From  Base  

 

Sum  of  the  Individual    

Duty  Periods  OR    

It’s the highest of:  

c. Minimum Pay Per Duty Period (M) i. MPDP-M-1 (3 CH) ii. MPDP-M-2 (6 CH) iii. MPDP-M-E (6 CH) iv. MPDP-M-F (9 CH)

 

a. Duty Rig (D) i. Domestic Day D-D (1CH for each 2 hours on duty) ii. Domestic Night D-N (1CH for each 1.92 hours on duty) iii. Domestic Critical D-C (1CH for each 1.5 hours on duty) iv. International D-I (1CH for each 1.92 hours on duty) b. Block Hours (B) i. Revenue or Deadhead B

 

 CBA  4.F.2.b  defines  the  4  different  MPDP  scenarios  

 

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Let’s look at some examples by taking some trips from the Oct13 monthly bid period package. Next to each duty periods CH computation we have denoted which CBA credit hour computation is applicable. (T, D, B or M).

Note: The Company bid period package pairing display only denotes “T” next to applicable credit hour computations. For the purposes of this article we have added more information to illustrate

how each trip pays.  

REMEMBER… T=Time Away from Base, D=Duty Rig, B=Block Hours, M=Min Pay per Duty Period

Example 1: Time Away From Base 111 SU REPORT AT 22:54 (17:54 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 06 ONLY FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 06SU US2679 CR9 MEM 2354(1854) CLT 0136(2136) 01:42 *MO US4640 CR7 CLT 0240(2240) GSP 0326(2326) 00:46 HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 00:00 05:02 03:00M-1 GSP 22:07 TRANS TO ATCHISON TRANSPORTATION SERVICE 800-346-7129 TRANS FR HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 *TU 1616 F22 GSP 0303(2303) IND 0426(0026) 01:23 MS HOTEL 08TU 1716 F22 IND 0838(0438) GSP 0953(0553) 01:15 HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 02:38 08:20 06:00M-E GSP 15:40 TRANS TO ATCHISON TRANSPORTATION SERVICE 800-346-7129 TRANS FR HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 *WE 1616 F22 GSP 0303(2303) IND 0426(0026) 01:23 MS HOTEL 09WE 1716 F22 IND 0838(0438) GSP 0953(0553) 01:15 HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 02:38 08:20 06:00M-E GSP 15:40 TRANS TO ATCHISON TRANSPORTATION SERVICE 800-346-7129 TRANS FR HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 *TH 1616 F22 GSP 0303(2303) IND 0426(0026) 01:23 MS HOTEL 10TH 1716 F22 IND 0838(0438) GSP 0953(0553) 01:15 HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 02:38 08:20 06:00M-E GSP 15:40 TRANS TO ATCHISON TRANSPORTATION SERVICE 800-346-7129 TRANS FR HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 *FR 1616 F22 GSP 0303(2303) IND 0426(0026) 01:23 MS HOTEL 11FR 1716 F22 IND 0838(0438) GSP 0953(0553) 01:15 HYATT REGENCY GREENVILLE 864-235-1234 02:38 08:20 06:00M-E GSP 08:52 TRANS BY ATCHISON TRANSPORTATION SERVICE 800-346-7129 11FR US3985 CRJ GSP 2015(1615) CLT 2103(1703) 00:48 *SA US2807 CR9 CLT 0004(2004) MEM 0149(2049) 01:45 00:00 07:04 03:32D-D CREDIT HRS: 32:55T BLK HRS: 10:32 LDGS: 8 TAFB: 123:25

Trip guarantee is the calculated as the higher of either:

1. TAFB (123:25/3.75)=32:55CH OR 2. Sum of the duty periods (3+6+6+6+6+3:32)=30:32CH

This trip’s guarantee is based on TAFB (Note the “T” next to the 32:55).

CH  VA

LUE  O

F  DUTY  

PERIODS  

TOTAL  TAFB  

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Example 2: Time Away From Base 35 SA REPORT AT 07:24 (02:24 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 05-OCT 19 FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER SA 2548 F23 MEM 0824(0324) GTF 1153(0553) 03:29 BS SA 2548 F23 GTF 1238(0638) BIL 1320(0720) 00:42 CROWNE PLAZA BILLINGS 406-252-7400 04:11 06:26 04:17D-C BIL 28:35 TRANS BY CROWNE PLAZA BILLINGS 406-252-7400 SU UA1493 738 BIL 1925(1325) DEN 2049(1449) 01:24 WESTIN DENVER DOWNTOWN 303-572-9100 00:00 02:54 03:00M-1 DEN 37:21 TRANS BY FOX LIMOUSINE, INC 303-882-0525 TU 1527 F23 DEN 1140(0540) BIL 1302(0702) 01:22 BS TU 0685 F23 BIL 1414(0814) MEM 1701(1201) 02:47 04:09 06:51 04:09B CREDIT HRS: 21:54T BLK HRS: 08:20 LDGS: 4 TAFB: 82:07 Trip guarantee is the calculated as the higher of either: 1. TAFB (82:07/3.75)=21:54CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (4:17 +3+4:09)=11:26CH Thus, this trip’s guarantee is based on TAFB of 21:54CH.

                       YES,  It’s  that  simple…Trying to figure out how much extra pay will come with that later arrival? For most pairings (without BLOCK considerations), simply divide your new TAFB by the standard Trip Rig of 3.75.

     

Example 3: TAFB trip with BLOCK OVER 10 included 32 FR REPORT AT 06:00 (01:00 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 11 ONLY FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 11FR 9020 F83 MEM 0700(0200) ANC 1408(0608) 07:08 BH MARRIOTT ANCHORAGE DOWNTOWN 907-279-8000 07:08 08:38 07:08B ANC 28:12 TRANS BY BAC TRANSPORTATION, LLC 907-222-2600 12SA 0023 F83 ANC 1950(1150) HKG 0734(1534) 11:44 DH/BH HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE 011 852 23 69 3111 11:44 13:14 11:44B HKG 24:41 TRANS BY PARKLANE LIMOUSINE SERVICE LTD 011-852-2377-0733 14MO 0039 F83 HKG 0945(1745) CDG 2233(0033) 12:48 DH/BH PULLMAN PARIS BERCY HOTEL 011-33-1-446-73400 12:48 14:18 12:48B CDG 42:32 TRANS BY URBANRIDE-CHABE LIMO 011-33-141-209-500 16WE 0007 F83 CDG 1835(2035) MEM 0435(2335) 10:00 DH/BH 10:00 11:30 10:00B CREDIT HRS: 42:41T BLK HRS: 41:40 LDGS: 4 TAFB: 143:05

Block  over  8  and  Block  over  10  trips  have  often  misunderstood  rules  regarding  Trip  Guarantee  and  Actual  Credit  hours  paid…In  the  next  Scheduling  Matters,  we’ll  take  a  more  in-­‐depth  look  at  this  issue.  

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In the pairing above the trip guarantee is calculated as the higher of: 1. TAFB (143:05/3.75)=38:09CH PLUS any revenue scheduled block in single duty period > 10: 38:09+(1:44+2:48)=42:41CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (7:08+11:44+12:48+10)=41:40CH Thus the trip guarantee is based on TAFB of 42:41CH. However, there is more here to review, as this pairing has a much higher “potential” pay due to block over 8 pay, otherwise known as “BKO”. In simple terms, this trip has 3 legs scheduled over 8 hours block, 2 of which are over 10, which added hours to the TAFB calculation. If this trip were to fly as scheduled, the pilot would receive 48:41CH (BKO pay of 6 additional credit hours).

 

BKO is described in CBA 4.FF. CLICK HERE to visit !  

Example 4: TAFB trip with BLOCK OVER 8 236 FR SA REPORT AT 08:00 (03:00 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 04-OCT 19 FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 1 0002 F83 MEM 0900(0400) STN 1704(1804) 08:04 BH/DH CAMBRIDGE CITY HOTEL 011-44-1223-464-491 08:04 09:34 08:04B STN 73:16 TRANS BY STN RAMP VIA FDX OR VOYAGER CAR 011-44-1279-682-010 (Ramp) 4 0001 F83 STN 1950(2050) MEM 0527(0027) 09:37 DH/BH 09:37 11:07 09:37B CREDIT HRS: 25:03T BLK HRS: 17:41 LDGS: 2 TAFB: 93:57

In the pairing above the trip guarantee is calculated as the higher of:

1. TAFB (93:57/3.75)=25:03CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (8:04+9:37)=17:41CH

Thus the trip guarantee is 25:03CH based on the TAFB. While there are no revenue legs > 10 block hours, both legs are planned > 8 Block hours. So, if this trip were flown as scheduled, the pilot would receive 1:41CH (0:04+1:37) of additional BKO pay.

Extra  pay  scheduled  in  trip  but  not  included  in  trip  guarantee  

 

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Example 5: MPDP or “SUM” of the Duty Periods 47 TU WE TH REPORT AT 07:12 (02:12 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 01-OCT 31 FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 1 1473 F22 MEM 0812(0312) BOS 1053(0653) 02:41 HILTON BOSTON LOGAN AIRPORT 617-568-6700 02:41 04:11 03:00M-1 BOS 12:05 TRANS BY HILTON BOSTON LOGAN AIRPORT 617-568-6700 * 2 1206 F22 BOS 0028(2028) MEM 0338(2238) 03:10 03:10 04:40 03:10B CREDIT HRS: 06:10 BLK HRS: 05:51 LDGS: 2 TAFB: 20:56

In the pairing above the trip guarantee is calculated as the higher of: 1. TAFB (20:56/3.75)=5:35CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (3+3:10)=6:10CH

Thus the trip guarantee is 6:10CH, based on the sum of the duty periods. If, for example, the BOS-MEM leg flies an actual block of > 3:10, then a pay adjustment will be reflected in the pilot’s pay screen and paid on the 15th of the following month.

Example 6: MPDP or “SUM” of the Duty Periods 137 WE REPORT AT 07:36 (02:36 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 30 ONLY FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 30WE 0004 F83 MEM 0836(0336) CGN 1712(1812) 08:36 BH/DH DORINT HOTEL AM HEUMARKT COLOGN 011-49-221-2 08:36 10:06 08:36B CGN 22:43 TRANS BY MINICAR HENS E.K. 0049172652727 011-49-172-652-7272 31TH 4U0356 319 CGN 1825(1925) STN 1935(1935) 01:10 CAMBRIDGE CITY HOTEL 011-44-1223-464-491 00:00 03:40 03:00M-1 STN 23:15 TRANS BY STN RAMP VIA FDX OR VOYAGER CAR 011-44-1279-682-010 (Ramp) 01FR 0001 F83 STN 2020(2020) MEM 0557(0057) 09:37 DH/BH 09:37 11:07 09:37B CREDIT HRS: 21:13 BLK HRS: 18:13 LDGS: 2 TAFB: 70:51 In the pairing above the trip guarantee is calculated as the higher of:

1.TAFB (70:51/3.75)=18:53CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (8:36+3+9:37)=21:13CH

Thus the trip guarantee is 21:13CH, based on the sum of the duty periods being higher than TAFB. Any flight time flown in excess of the scheduled block would be reflected as a pay adjustment on the pilot’s pay screen and paid on the 15th of the following month. If this trip flies as scheduled there would be no extra pay (BKO), because override scheduled CH would equal scheduled CH (OSC=SCH).

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1

Example 7: MPDP or “SUM” of the Duty Periods 26 EXCEPT MO SA SU REPORT AT 07:00 (02:00 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 01-NOV 01 FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 1 1435 F58 MEM 0800(0300) BDL 1027(0627) 02:27 BM 1 0657 F58 BDL 1156(0756) MEM 1450(0950) 02:54 05:21 08:20 06:00M-2 CREDIT HRS: 06:00 BLK HRS: 05:21 LDGS: 2 TAFB: 08:20

In the pairing above the trip guarantee is calculated as the higher of:

1. TAFB (8:20/3.75)=2:13CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (6)=6:00CH

Thus the trip guarantee is 6:00CH, based on the sum of the duty periods being higher than TAFB.  

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Example 8: MPDP or “SUM” of the Duty Periods 128 TU WE REPORT AT 07:42 (02:42 L.T.) EFFECTIVE OCT 01-OCT 30 FULL CREW DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER 1 1571 F58 MEM 0842(0342) MDT 1040(0640) 01:58 MS 1 1571 F58 MDT 1125(0725) EWR 1219(0819) 00:54 COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT-ELIZABETH 908-436-9800 02:52 05:07 03:25D-C EWR 13:36 TRANS BY GOLDEN TOUCH/II 973-565-2440/USE VANS * 2 1621 F58 EWR 0325(2325) IND 0522(0122) 01:57 MS 2 1712 F58 IND 0815(0415) JFK 1012(0612) 01:57 HYATT PLACE GARDEN CITY 516-222-6277 03:54 08:17 06:00M-E JFK 14:56 TRANS BY GOLDEN TOUCH - I 718-777-5100 * 3 1292 F58 JFK 0238(2238) MEM 0532(0032) 02:54 02:54 04:24 03:00M-1 CREDIT HRS: 12:25 BLK HRS: 09:40 LDGS: 5 TAFB: 46:20

In the pairing above the trip guarantee is calculated as the higher of: 1. TAFB (46:20/3.75)=12:21CH 2. Sum of the duty periods (3:25+6+3)=12:25CH

Thus the trip guarantee is 12:25CH, based on the sum of the duty periods being higher than TAFB. Of note is duty period 1, which pays based on critical duty rig (1CH for each 1.5 hour on duty).  

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Etiam  et  urna  

Etiam  fringilla  

Fusce  urna  

The  Scheduling  Matters  newsletter  is  a  product  of  the  FedEx  ALPA  Scheduling  Committee  

SchedulingMatters@alpa.org

ACTUAL CREDIT HOURS (ACH) After completion of your assignment, the Company calculates the actual credit hours for each pairing. Any adjustments should be reflected shortly after finishing your last duty period on each pairing. The original trip guarantee may have been based on one type of CH computation and the ACH may be computed on the other, based on how the trip actually flew. Essentially, ACH is calculated just like the original trip guarantee was and then compared against the published/original SCH.

  ACH is computed at the completion of an assignment.

a. ACH for a duty period is the highest of: i. MPDP; or ii. actual block hours; or iii. actual duty rig.

b. ACH for a trip is the higher of: i. trip rig as actually flown, plus actual revenue block hours in excess of 8 in any duty period, plus duty rig for the portion of any duty period beyond the scheduled on duty limitations; or

ii. the sum of ACH for each duty period.  

From

CBA 2.6

Definitions  

In Summary While seemingly complex, our pay system is pretty straightforward and most Trip Guarantee results from a simple calculation of known variables. Although payroll problems and the need for manual calculations are rare, a working knowledge of the CBA strengthens our ability to understand particular pay nuances and their effect on our individual bottom lines. As we continue to work towards CBA 2013, we all have a big stake in fully understanding rules regarding pay. In upcoming articles we’ll take a look at block over 8 versus block over 10, and pay during training.

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APPENDIX SECTION 4 MINIMUM GUARANTEES AND OTHER PAY PROVISIONS A. Minimum Bid Period Guarantee 1. A pilot shall have the following minimum bid period guarantee, except as provided in Section 4.A.2. through A.5. (below): a. 68 CH in a 4-week bid period. b. 85 CH in a 5-week bid period. 2. Change to Minimum Bid Period Guarantee a. A pilot’s minimum bid period guarantee shall be reduced by the net number of CH by which the pilot’s actual credit hour compensation for a bid period is less than his BLG/RLG as a result of activities being dropped from his awarded line with reduced pay or without pay. Examples of reduced pay include: trips dropped and trip traded down to a lesser value. Examples of trips dropped without pay include: pilot requested drops, phase-in conflict, transition to inactive pay status, emergency drop and disciplinary suspension. b. The minimum bid period guarantee shall be reduced to a minimum of 48/60 CH before any pilot is furloughed. At least a full bid period must follow the announcement of this action. This provision shall only be used to prevent or delay a furlough. 3. A pilot who is in an inactive pay status during an entire bid period shall not have a minimum bid period guarantee for such bid period. 4. When a pilot returns to active pay status during a bid period for which he was not awarded a bid line (e.g., Section 25.I.1.a., Custom lines), his minimum bid period guarantee shall be prorated based on the number of days in which the pilot is in active pay status during that bid period. 5. A new hire pilot covered by Section 3.A. shall not have a minimum bid period guarantee. When he is activated into his first crew position following initial new hire training, his minimum bid period guarantee shall be prorated based upon the number of days in the bid period following his activation. B. Bid Line Guarantee (BLG) A pilot who is awarded a regular line shall have a BLG equal to the total of the trip guarantees for all trips on the line, excluding that portion of the CH of a carryover trip allocated to the next bid period as provided in Section 4.G. (below). Prior to any adjustments, however, a BLG shall not be less than the minimum bid period guarantee as provided in Section 4.A.1. (above). If the sum of trip guarantees for trips on a pilot’s regular line is less than the minimum bid period guarantee, such pilot’s BLG shall be increased to the minimum bid period guarantee. C. Reserve Line Guarantee (RLG) and R-Day Value A pilot who is awarded a reserve line shall have an RLG equal to the value of an R-day multiplied by the number of R-days scheduled on a reserve line for the bid period package (i.e., up to a maximum of 15 or 19 days). The value of an R-day shall be determined by dividing 96% of the average BLG for regular lines published in the bid period package by the number of R-days scheduled on a reserve line for the bid period package and then rounding that amount to the nearest minute. Prior to any adjustments, however, an RLG shall not be less than the minimum bid period guarantee as provided in Section 4.A.1. (above).

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Section 4.F.2.b b. Minimum Pay Per Duty Period (MPDP) A pilot may earn a maximum of 1 MPDP per duty period as follows: i. MPDP-1 Duty periods during a trip, when such trip contains at least one layover, shall have an MPDP-1 of 3 CH. ii. MPDP-2 A duty period comprised exclusively of a trip which departs and returns to base in the same duty period shall have an MPDP-2 of 6 CH. iii. MPDP-E A duty period which operates into and out of a designated MPDP-E sort facility shall have an MPDP-E of 6 CH when the duty period neither originated nor terminated at base. iv. MPDP-F The final duty period of a trip, which is comprised of revenue flying then deadhead to base, shall have an MPDPF of 9 CH when: (a.) the flight sequence originates at a layover city; and (b.) operates to a designated sort facility; and (c.) transits such facility and operates to another city; and (d.) transits such city and concludes with a deadhead by air to base. v. Designated Sort Facilities For MPDP-E and MPDP-F, the designated sort facilities are MEM, IND, EWR, OAK, ORD, AFW and any additional sort facilities so designated by agreement between the SIG and the Vice President, Flight Operations. If the Company schedules FDA trips to domestic parameters as provided in Section 12.D.1.c., the primary sort facility for that FDA shall be a designated sort facility for purposes of MPDP-E and MPDP-F, on such trips.  

Section 4.FF. Minimum Guarantees and Other Pay Provisions - Block Override (BKO) If a trip’s OSC exceed SCH, a pilot shall earn block override CH equal to OSC minus SCH. BKO shall be paid in the same form (e.g., credited toward RLG for reserve trips, credited toward MUS for MUS trips, cash for TRP), at the same pay rate, as trip guarantee.  

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