Originally Posted by TQ Nola

Okay, this is me not looking anything up; feel free to chime in if you know I'm wrong:

1. driving distance to domicile has never been codified beyond "reasonably available via surface transportation." That can mean different things at different bases. In MIA, guys sit reserve clear up to Stuart and beyond. I've personally flown with guys who sit reserve successfully from their homes near Kissimmee--a solid 3hr,45min drive from MIA. Would sitting reserve just south of Orlando be smart in your probationary year? No, it would not.

2. I believe min days off is 12 days per month under the new contract.

3. short/long call times: that's pretty complicated. Short answer is that 'long call' gives you 12 hours to show, 'short call' is when 'reasonably available via surface transportation' becomes a player.

4. early release. It's become more theoretical than actual over the past few years.

5. assignment of flying. I think you're asking whether or not you can tell, based on who else is on reserve with you, whether you are reasonably safe from being called. Short answer is that unless it's the beginning of the month with half the list available, you can't predict whether you will get a call. You can count on your 'cover pilots' evaporating twice as fast as you think they will.

6. Pay premiums. This is at the discretion of scheduling, and is only offered during times of perceived shortage. Currently, most guys I know won't fly premium trips until all those furloughed are back. There are knuckleheads who will, though.

7. Out of base assignments. I'm sure this varies depending on your bid status. In mine, it's rare. I have had occasion to deadhead up to JFK to cover UK flying, though. I look at these sequences as easy and lucrative (I get full pay for deadheading, so a 16hr trip for JFK guys has just turned into a 25 hour trip for me).

Hope this helps.