Section 7: Vacation

Questions and Answers

#FAQ-07-001
Added 2026-02-12
Q

Will making any post bid award adjustment mean that I am waiving the front end international duty-free buffer?

A
Yes. This also includes any View/Add window adjustments.
#FAQ-07-002
Added 2026-02-12
Q

In what scenarios will I still not be able to waive the buffer?

A
None
#FAQ-07-003
Added 2026-02-12
Q

Am I still limited to selling back 40% of my vacation? (7.G.6.)

A
Prior to the publication of the December bidpack, the Company will publish the maximum balance subject to buyback for the following year. This amount can be between 40% and 60% (inclusive). Note that with ALPA’s consent, the Company can offer to buy back a number greater than 60%.
#FAQ-07-004
Added 2026-02-12
Q

Is this System wide or base, equipment, seat specific?

A
System wide
#FAQ-07-005
Added 2026-02-12
Q

If a single line has buy up, does the TA state that the Company CANNOT cancel vacations in the crew position? (7.I.1)

A
Yes, if a crew position has any buy up on any line, the company may not offer any voluntary or involuntary vacation cancellations
#FAQ-07-006
Added 2026-02-12
Q

What else do I need to do to be eligible for the 24 credit hours if I voluntarily cancel my vacation? (7.I.2.)

A
Your “earned CHs” must meet or exceed the Minimum Bid Period Guarantee (MBPG) for the month in which you cancelled vacation. MBPG is 68 CH on a 4 week bid period, 85 in a 5 week bid period.
#FAQ-07-007
Added 2026-02-12
Q

What are “earned CHs” hours and what does it include? (7.I.2.b.)

A
Earned Credit Hours include ALL CH in the unit(s) of work performed (including pay-only), or from which you were removed from work with pay (e.g., sick leave). While that may be a mouthful, 7.I.2.b. has an exclusive and limited list of what is NOT included.
#FAQ-07-008
Added 2026-02-12
Q

How does declining substitution trips or substitution in general affect earned CH and the 24 CH for voluntarily cancelling my vacation?

A
  • If you sit your SUB window, those would be Earned CH.
  • If you sit the first availability period (Long SUB) the 18CH would be Earned CH
  • If you use OTP or GMU, those hours will be Earned CH in the month they are flown.
  • If you decline SUB, there are no Earned CH unless you use OTP or GMU in the same bid period.
#FAQ-07-009
Added 2026-02-12
Q

I voluntarily cancelled my vacation, and I started the bid month with 94 CH in a 4 week bid period, 20 of which were carried in from the previous month, and I did not make up a conflict from the new month worth 26 CH. Would I still receive the additional 24 credit hours of vacation pay? (7.I.2.b.)

A
Yes. This is the math: 20 CH Carry-in + 74 CH Bid Line – 26CH = 68 CH
#FAQ-07-010
Added 2026-02-12
Q

Is there a difference between voluntary and involuntary vacation cancelation? (7.I.2.)

A
Yes.
  • Voluntary vacation cancelation pays the pilot an additional 24 credit hours.
  • Involuntary vacation cancelation will now increase the pilots vacation bank an additional 36 CH credit hours (CH). In addition to the other options (i.e., reschedule to another slot, or carried over to the next year), the pilot may elect to be paid the 36 CH in the following month. (7.I.3.f.)
#FAQ-07-011
Added 2026-02-12
Q

Are there any seniority protections for vacation cancelation? (7.I.2.a., 7.I.3.a.)

A
Yes. Voluntary vacation cancelation must be in seniority order and involuntary in reverse seniority order.
#FAQ-07-012
Added 2026-02-12
Q

If the Company solicits voluntary vacation cancellations and has an insufficient number of pilots volunteering, can the Company then involuntarily cancel my vacation? (7.I.3.)

A
Yes. Nothing has changed from the 2015 contract in that regard. What has changed is that the Company must now solicit a second round of volunteers. If the Company still has insufficient volunteers, the Company may choose to involuntarily cancel vacation (and it must be done in reverse seniority order).
#FAQ-07-013
Added 2026-02-12
Q

How much notice must I receive before the Company elects to involuntarily cancel my vacation? (7.I.3.b.)

A
The notice increases from 30 days in advance to 30 days prior to the first day of the bid period within which the vacation being canceled would begin.

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