Originally Posted by
StraightShooter
You are not playing the game well enough. We can all agree that the reserve grid eventually goes black or red on 90% of every Friday - Sunday period. So, be aggressive and bid off for every Friday - Sunday. If you don't get it, set alerts to know when the reserve grid changes and immediately swap out of your weekend reserve.
Some Captains that play this game make $225-250,000 on reserve. When a bad weather system is approaching any of our big hubs, you can GUARANTEE that all reserves will be flown and anyone on VDA is going to get a call. So watch the weather and if a storm forecast looks solid, trade your reserve days to be off then, and then place yourself on VDA.
Let's not forget about EPS pay also. That's 5 hours at 190% above guarantee if your pairing is modified and extended outside of the footprint by at least 1 minute. Yes, 1 minute outside your footprint and you've made a gob of money.
VDA, EPS, REL, LCR and PTO sell back is a gravy train for those on reserve who live in base.
Exaggeration. I live in base and as a senior 190 CA on reserve with VDAs in I sat out the last IROP. I can contradict every example you've given, as Crew Services tries awfully hard not to pay guys all those acronyms if they don't have to (understandable). Those good deals are NOT something anyone should count on to pad their wallet, especially as a new-hire!
Break-break. Congrats to those awaiting class dates! Hope to welcome you aboard soon.