FMLA forms

wingslevl · 10-08-2006, 03:49 PM

Rug rat #1 is due in January. The wife keeps turning the screws to have me call 800-myexjet to find out what I need to do to get on FMLA.

For those who've done it, what is involved in terms of paperwork, time, etc?

And while I'm asking, she's due Jan. 18, but we all know how (im)precise the due date can be, especially for kid #1. That being said, I don't wanna miss being there for the big event, so I'd like to stop working a week or two before the due date. Obviously I'll try to bid a line that'll help me work the situation, but if you have any advice as far as do I bid for vacation that week or just wait and take FMLA and hope I'm not in friggin' St. Johns or Flores or some other remote destination that day. Seniority really isn't an issue as far as bidding is concerned (bidding about #100 in IAH). Thanks for any advice!

Josh Eden

Bob · 10-08-2006, 06:22 PM

Josh...

Your wife is correct... call the 800#. If you want a good idea of what's going to happen and what to do next... stop by the CPO's office in IAH and talk with Shannon... she's awesome. But basically it'll boil down to calling the 800# and getting things in order.

I have not yet done the paperwork for FMLA since I am taking it 3 months later after my wife finishes hers. But basically I do know that you can't take it before the event. So schedule wisely.

I scheduled my vacation around the approx. due date (actually had to trade my existing vacation once we found out we were pregnant) and then I bid to have as much time off prior to that date and after that date.

All told... I'll have had 30 days off when I go back next Friday for one week's vacation. Dear God... I'm not looking forward to the Jep Updates!). However... I only bid Vacation because I knew I wouldn't be using the FMLA immediately. It was a good way to get a lot of extra time off... but you may want to save your vacation for trips to the Grandparents to show off the new bambino...

I also bid and traded for as many overnights at my home (DFW/DAL) in the weeks prior. My wife appreciated having me as close as possible towards the end.

Anyway... the CPO's office will definately work with you if the birth comes along unexpectadly... see my thread here: http://www.expressjetpilots.com/viewtopic.php?t=9118

You will have the opportunity to take emergency leave if it happens in the middle of a trip too... you can discuss that with Shannon or one of the CP's as well.

Many pilots schedule an induction about a week prior to the due date just so they can make sure they have the time off for the birth. That's a personal decision between you and your wife. I do know of one Captain who did this for 5 of his kids and was there for all 5. In fact he even scheduled an induction for kid number 6... but I was on an overnight with him in Toronto 3 days prior to the induction and his wife called and said the was in labor... We went to EWR and he bugged out quick. I hope he made it! So... even the induction isn't a guarantee...

FMLA is still in arbritration and supposed to be finished sometime I think around January so it might change by the time you neeed it... but at this time our FMLA is completely unpaid... can't take sick time for any of it... kinda sucks... but we'll see what happens.

Hope that some of this rambling helped!

Bob

PS: Congrats!!