Originally Posted by
Jughead135
In broad strokes, what's the advantage to doing so (bidding reserve in a training/vacation month? Does it generally result in more days off, or more pay, or both? How/why?
I've tried playing with the calculator, but I'm not sure I'm using realistic numbers (I have yet to hit a training month)....
In my opinion it usually results in more money for less days of work. I'll try to explain. Vacation reduces the available days for sitting short call and guarantee is pro rated. Training doesn't reduce days available, but counts as days you would be sitting reserve (you are working on the training days no matter what you bid). Vacation and/or training pay is added to the pro rated pay. Here's some examples using the calculator:
Example 1:
Assumptions: January, 30 day month, ALV 72:00, No extra day off due to coverage, 7 days vacation.
Results: 23 days availability, 10 X days, 13 on call days, Pay 77:57
In other words 77:57 pay for being on call 13 days.
Example 2:
Assumptions: January, 30 day month, ALV 72:00, No extra day off due to coverage, 3 days CQ Training.
Results: 30 days availability (CQ not deducted), 13 X days, 14 on call days, Pay 76:03.
Example 3:
Assumptions: January, 30 day month, ALV 72:00, No extra day off due to coverage, 3 days CQ Training and 7 days vacation.
Results: 23 days availability, 10 x days, 10 on call days, Pay 82:00
The results will vary depending on the ALV, and the days available will vary with a 30 or 31 day month. You need to decide if you want to work fewer days for a little more money or work a line schedule and try to make more in the remaining days of the month after vacation and/or training. I have always come down on the pay above guarantee for being on call for fewer days. If anyone reading this post is senior to me, stick with bidding a line. You'll make mo money!