Return to Work

There is a lot of misinformation regarding the 4 part bid award for pilots returning from LTD. We have heard many say you have to be on LTD for at least 6 months and then you can request any 4 part bid in which there is a pilot junior to you in that status. This is not correct!

We have had good success advocating for pilots who were denied the 4 part bid they desired upon return from LTD. The bottom line is this: 

1)  You have to have been on LTD 

2)  There has to have been a vacancy run where preferences/dispacements closed during the time you were on LTD (in other words you were not a 4 part bidder) 

3)  During that bid run, a pilot junior to you was awarded (PRE or WTH) the 4 part bid status that you desire.  

DIS or SID awards are different. If you can prove that you could have been awarded your desired 4part bid through a DIS or SID award then we think you would have a case.

Pilot.vacancies@aa.com are the ones at the company who decide whether or not to award your desired 4 part bid upon return to active status. They often get it wrong. If you believe this is the case then bring it to the attention of your Director of Flight (DOF). Before you do so, you need proof that you met all of the criteria mentioned above. In other words, have at least one pilot's seniority number who was awarded the 4 part bid (you want) while you were out on LTD. It will take some persistence but eventually you'll get the bid (or at least pay protected from the day you returned to active status. 

We don't know the "statute of limitations" on "mis-awards". In other words, if this happened to you several years ago then we don't know how far back the company will go but it's sure worth finding out. We helped one pilot who had been back for at least 6 months before we contacted the DOF about the "mis-award". The sooner the better nonetheless.

We are more than happy to help you through this process. Contact Greg Price at weasel314@yahoo.com or 808-352-1090.