Question for Airline Pilots

SaberFlyer

SaberFlyer

New Member
Gentlemen/Ladies,

I was wondering if a pilot can take off (planned) lets say a month or 3 weeks for a serious situation? This would be a one time event and not a constant demand? If not what type of breaks can an airline pilot take (Dont include the times you are off after flying a line like 4 or 5 days) Appreciate the information
 
SaberFlyer said:
Gentlemen/Ladies,

I was wondering if a pilot can take off (planned) lets say a month or 3 weeks for a serious situation? This would be a one time event and not a constant demand? If not what type of breaks can an airline pilot take (Dont include the times you are off after flying a line like 4 or 5 days) Appreciate the information
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You could go on leave or if you're very creative at bidding you could get 3 weeks off. There are lots of people at my company who take FMLA, but it's not paid. That allows you to take up to 12 weeks of leave during a 12 month period.
 
Depending on how long you have been at a company you may be able to cover it with vacation time. Also, by moving your schedule around you can add on to vacation days. I have a week of vacation this month but was able to bid my schedule such that I have 13 days off.

Other then that, you MAY be able to get a short term leave of absence. However, with how short most places are these days, chances are you won't get it.
 
Swen said:
It appears that FMLA has your answer.
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Be careful about using FMLA unless it really is that. There are a bunch of people here who abuse the hell out of it, and because of that the whole program here is in the process of being audited. Also, it's becoming more and more difficult to actually get it approved because of all the jokers who magically have a migraine every time they don't want to go to work.
 
FMLA is good to use if you do need the emergency such as the ones that are listed. I am talking about a necessary leave. I am a dual citizen and my military service is mandatory now. Being a college student and such I was able to extend it to the age of 38. However, I am working to become an airline pilot and I just dont want to leave the airlines to do my military service for 3 weeks and then find another airline job when I am 38.By that time hopefully I would have moved up in the company. This is why I am wondering if I should get it out of the way sooner like before I start or I can just wait and assume that I can get 3 weeks off in the future and get it out of the way then.
 
Is it US military service? If so, they have to give you time off...it's the law. If you're talking another government, then uhhhhh....no clue.
 
SaberFlyer said:
What do you mean? Military service or dual citizenship?
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It was in regards to your military service obligation. I have just never seen it asked on here before.

My statement referred to the FAQ Doug posted to help with all those common questions such as:



Dear Dough,
I got caught smoking hippie lettuce. Can I still become a pilot?





But your question is unique.:)
 
I will actually try it to put into words of how to ask the question since its so rare (most pilots in the U.S don't necessarily need to serve in the military) . How would you put it into a question? I mean I need to do my military service no matter what.. well at least if I want to go back and visit half of my family for the rest of my life. But thanks for the advice.:)
 
So, if i understand correctly.. your military service is for your dual country citizenship (non-US) in which case you'd have to take leave as FMLA wouldn't be approved since military service for another country isn't something you can use FMLA for.
 
Yes exactly, for my other citizenship, so I was wondering when I am so further in to my career at 38, will I have time to take off a month and complete my requirement since using FMLA would be abusing the system and unethical
 
If this was a one time occurance, and not something that would have to be done on a regular basis (like every year or two years or whatever), then you might have a chance of getting 3-4 weeks approved as a "personal leave". It would be without pay, of course.

Whether or not it would be approved could be based on such things as staffing levels, your senority at the time of request, even the demeanor of your chief pilot (relaxed and easy-going or uptight and rigid). I'll tell you that it may not be easy to get approved, if it was a shorter duration like just a few days bidding around it would be easier.

Using vacation (creatively) could allow for this amount of time off with no need to even tell your employer what you're doing. That would depend on when your bid your vacation and whether or not you could match those weeks up with your military obligation.

It is an interesting situation! Good luck to you!
 
Can we clarify one thing, to ensure that I'm not too tired nor too drunk:

You say this service takes 3 weeks. Why not just go now and get it out of the way? Or is it something you have to do every year or every other year, and you want to ensure that you'll be able to take 3 weeks off and not lose your job?

Chances are that just about every airline will work with you. It might be 3 weeks unpaid, but it's not that long of a time period.
 
Yes it is for three weeks one time deal, the catch is, given that I have to pay $6000 and up before I go. Its basically an option for dual citizens as well as college students. However, I dont have that much money right now so I was thinking about when I do have that kind of money lying around then maybe I can take those days off and get that req off my back. Has anyone taken say a month of leave like the one I'm asking for before?
 
Strange scenario. I'm a citizen of another country that also requires military service at 18 but since I am overseas I can get an exemption. Can't you just do that?
 
SaberFlyer said:
Gentlemen/Ladies,

I was wondering if a pilot can take off (planned) lets say a month or 3 weeks for a serious situation?
Click to expand...

Sure! BUT it depends on the airline.

This would be a one time event and not a constant demand?
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Again, depends on the airline. When my dad died during a trip, the chief pilot called and told me to call them when I was ready to fly again.

If not what type of breaks can an airline pilot take (Dont include the times you are off after flying a line like 4 or 5 days) Appreciate the information
Click to expand...

Personal drops, authorized leave, etc. Again, depends on the airline.
 
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