7.20.16 – Pairing Construction/ROTA Error/APFA Department Contact Information

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Pairing Construction
ROTA Error
APFA Department Contact Information

Pairing Construction

We continue to see our trip pairings deteriorate. Issues include, but are not limited to, red eyes built into the middle of four-day pairings, duty days and block hours that are longer than the layovers, and the adding of a leg preceding a red eye.

We continue to express concern about the types of pairings that are being generated by the optimizer. The explanation from the company is, “they are legal pairings”. Legal or not, they are inhumane. The optimizer is not taking any sort of human factor into consideration. As far as I am concerned, the optimizer is only as good as the person programming the computer.

Two weeks ago, Brian and I met with the Philadelphia Flight Service Leaders to identify the more undesirable pairings, and to provide input as to what types of pairings Philadelphia prefers. Additionally, APFA was able to secure two dates for the Base Presidents and Vice Presidents to go to Dallas/ Ft. Worth to attend a presentation on how the pairing optimizer works. I will be traveling to Dallas/ Ft. Worth tonight for the presentation in the morning. Brian will be attending the second date on July 28th.

We will continue to advocate strongly for better pairing construction for our members.

ROTA Error

If you were affected by the delay in the ROTA awards on July 4th for trips departing July 5th, please check your option five screen in CATS to make sure you were paid the 5 hours PNC (pay, no credit). If you do not see the pay, please contact our office at 215-492-0840.

APFA Department Contact Information