Originally Posted by
3stripes
Don't underestimate the financial bump having a relief line can give you. I've averaged about $800-$1,000 extra a month on first year pay since I got a relief line about six months back. No matter how crappy a line might be when you first get it, you can always trade it to suit you and vastly improve it, particularly if you live in base. Until two weeks ago I hadn't done a single four day trip in three months and I averaged 106 hours of pay a month. I live in base so I look to swap for day trips, two days and three days.
Had my first relief line this month. Bit of a mixed bag - ended up with more time off, but low credit hours. Was able to trade and improve about half of it, but I was also flying late and didn't get in front of a computer until an hour after the SLIW opened. But there was so little open time this month that I don't know how big a difference that would have made. Also missed a chance to trade for an ideal trip that would have REALLY improved my month because stupid me waited for my girlfriend to get out of the shower instead of jumping right on it. Learned that less fast. Anyway, I make more money with my side stuff so I don't care about the lower credit hours, but considering I could have had all three day weekends off if I'd taken reserve, I'd say I about broke even on QOL. Also, I'm a commuter. I very much appreciate fewer days stuck in the pad, especially now that our reserve coverage is way improved and reserves are not flying every single day.
Anyway, it seems that in a few months we'll be using a new system for phase II (at least) anyway.