Can United cancel a pilot's vacation?
Short answer
Only with your agreement, except after you change category, and then only in the cases the contract lists. You can protect one vacation period of up to 14 days.
What the contract says
“Except as provided in Section 11-F-4, a vacation award may only be changed with mutual concurrence.”
“may designate any one (1) Vacation Period (containing a contiguous block of up to fourteen (14) days) that will not be cancelled”
When can vacation be cancelled after a category change?
When the new category’s Line Production Average (LPA) is projected, before monthly vacation bidding opens, at 82 Line Credit hours or more for that bid period, § 5-B-1-a or when the vacation falls in your training period as the contract defines it. You must be told no later than when monthly vacation is awarded, and everyone affected in the category is treated the same. § 11-F-4 § 11-F-4-a § 11-F-4-b § 11-F-4-c
What if it’s my first captain upgrade?
You can protect two vacation periods of up to 14 days each, if the cancellation would come from training for your first captain category. You must designate them before the third business day after the vacancy award. § 11-F-5-b
Can I give up vacation for extra pay?
The company may offer voluntary cancellation, granted by seniority, and when no pilot is on involuntary furlough it may add 1:15 of Add Pay per cancelled day. It won’t grant a cancellation that leaves you below your Minimum Annual Vacation Election. § 11-F-6
This page explains contract language; it is not legal advice. If your situation is not covered, ask your union representative.