Originally Posted by
buzzpat
I agree completely! What I'm advocating is that 5:15 is much better than it used to be, commutable or not. I, for one, love max credit trips. I much prefer, however, to be paid for my trip and not have my 30 hour layovers count for little to nothing. It's probably equipment and base specific. I'm so done with 3-days that start with a red eye and pay 10.3.
I'm all about hard work. I'm hoping that our down time can be more efficient.
Another trick I see on the 73 now, about 15 trips in last bidpack, is this:
report at 0003; 2 day, release at 2359. Pays 10:30, but it's essentially a 4 day--everyone, even non commuter, has to modify his schedule on pre-departure day so they get rest then get to work; and same on day following trip, home at 0200ish even for drivers. For a commuter it's a solid 4 day now paying 10:30. If they're not doing this, then at least ONE of the days, start or finish, has this in it.
I know the LAX trips and understand how 15:45 looks better than 10:30... but here's another data point agreeing with launchpad, the new trip construction to MAKE those 15:45 3 days is VERY VERY painful for many folks, especially commuters (guys at bottom of list tend to be more commuter heavy of course).
I don't like sitting for 30 hrs not getting paid--best future plan would be a Daily Min Guarantee, not an average. However, despite what I THINK when I do my bidding and try for high-value trips, when it's time to fly the thing... I actually liked 1 leg to PHL at 1800 start, 31 hours, 1 leg back home and on my commuter flight home by 1100, for 10:30 to 12:30.
If my goal in life was to work as hard as possible, and I was willing to make my work-days always 16 hours slaving for my company away from home, there are a lot of options. Hard-work with loooooong workdays is nowhere near as good as reasonable workdays that let you have a more normalish life and time with family, hardwork during that reduced window, and getting paid EVERY DAY someone makes you not be home to go see your kid's school project.
Anyhoo, I guess I agree with you LAX guys on your bidpack (wow was it bad before), but as a lowerish guy at SLC I'm reporting the trips are not as nice; 0600 takeoff 3 legs for 8:37 block or so is killing me.