Extended Sick Bank (ESB) for United pilots
Short answer
A second sick bank: four hours a bid period you don't use it, up to 180 hours. You reach it after your regular bank, a 15-hour unpaid wait and medical approval.
What the contract says
“For each Bid Period of Active Employment in which a Pilot does not utilize ESB, four (4) hours of ESB shall be deposited into the Pilot’s ESB up to a maximum of 180 hours. A Pilot may not accrue more than 540 hours of ESB during their career.”
“followed by a fifteen (15) hour unpaid period”
How did the ESB start?
Every pilot was credited 120 hours of ESB on September 29, 2023, and new hires get 120 hours when initial training starts. § 13-B-1-b-(1) § 13-B-1-b
What counts as medical justification?
Documentation from a medical provider identifying your condition and how long it is expected to last. The list of accepted providers includes telehealth providers in a United-sponsored health plan. § 13-B-2-c-(1) § 13-B-2-c-(2)
How does the ESB connect to long-term disability?
Each bid period with a full 180-hour ESB earns 1.33 days of LTD Access Credits, which shorten the 60-day LTD waiting period once your sick leave and ESB are used up. § 13-B-3 § 13-B-3-a A pilot on LTD may also use 15 hours of ESB a month to supplement LTD income. § 13-B-2-d
This page explains contract language; it is not legal advice. If your situation is not covered, ask your union representative.