Originally Posted by
Rhino Driver
My next suggestion is to assign SC 2 days prior, not prior to 1500 the day prior. This too, would help mitigate issues with commuting.
Finally, I favor two separate systems. RES/Line Holder. This is simply for the fact that there is absolutely no chance for any quality of life for the bottom feeders at the company. Right now, at least if a senior guy bids down to reserve, the junior guys are somewhat protected from outright abuse by the RAW system. I think the only way to make that better would be to eliminate the number of days available in the criteria. That way, the lowest RAW score, regardless of number of days available, gets the assignment.
Just throwing my 2 cents in here - I've been on reserve for the last two years (but not this month, training pushed me to a line holder) but I found reserve to be well, palatable. It's that or downgrade to a different airplane. I'm happy with what I'm flying. When I was NYC based, I could make it on LC, so there were times I sat reserve at home. SC obviously meant a commute to the base, but hey, it was better than those AA guys who sat for DAYS in the crashpad, not getting a trip and not going home.
Now I'm live where I'm base, and in base reserve is pretty sweeet. LC without a trip is basically a day off, and SC means no beer and have to stay around town. I can still go work out, take kid to the park, go the mall, etc.
In the end, someone has to sit reserve, as a junior guy that falls to me. Fine - it's the airline business. In my experience, a lot of the complaints about reserve come from those who commute a long way. The closer you are to the base, the easier it is.
About the separate lineholder/reserve system - no way, hate the idea. It's nice having the option to bid down to reserve when you really need something off, or for a senior reserve guy to get a line once in while.