Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Scoop,
By manipulating the carve outs, Delta builds the ATL BOG red eyes as a three day trip that pays < 11:50. (See ATL C705)
That makes a difference in your math and allows coverage awards to unstack to where you don't actually ever need a calendar day off. Potential worst case would be 21 days of flying for around 81 hours. It never gets that bad (and a guy would never survive it without a legit sick call if he ever decided to live anywhere but the Crew Lounge) but the worst case is very close to reality for the August schedules.
If you are on the 737, one option is to marry a girl from Columbus, Ohio (or Mexico City). It's actually my preferred 30 hours once a week overnight these days. I've even been working a side business there and booked my first $1,000 profit
(might as well do something while sitting around)
The biggest surprise for many former express pilots is that Deta's schedules are considerably worse than anything in the regional world. I am at 96.5 hours block in 30 for 92 of credit in July and 81 in August & I'm not special, there's a lot of guys in this boat.
I agree with the bold. Don't get me wrong, Delta is light years ahead and better then any regional.... But the schedules are horrid.
Every month, "coverage" awards back me into an 11 or 12 day block of days on. ***!!!! Sometimes swapping with the pot helps... But others I'm stuck on the road that long. Total shock.
I hope DAL pilots try to get a max 4 days on, min of 3 days off after a rotation. Which could be waived in PBS if a pilot really wants to load up a schedule. Idk. I'm still not sure how the 747 folks do those 12 day trips! I rather be home.