Originally Posted by pilottim
I know that most airlines build pilot schedules for 75-80 hours/month. What if you dropped one of your 4-day trips (someone else wants to pick it up) so then you fly about 55-60 hours/month instead? Will they let you do this? Will they let you do it every month over a 25 year careeer? I understand your pay would drop quite a bit.
Depends on the airline. Many have an automated, online scheduling system whereby you can drop and pick up trips without ever speaking with anyone. The only limitations on this are:
1) To pick up flying, it has to fit legally into your existing schedule.
2) When you drop a trip, it goes into a bank of "uncovered flying" for some else to pick up (if they want to). If no one picks it up, the company has to assign a reserve pilot. The company will normal set a limit on how much open can exist, if the bank is to fat, then no one can drop any trips until someone picks one up.
In order for trip dropping to really work, you need enough people willing to pick up extra flying. If everybody just wants to drop, then no one gets to drop. The company will try to set the system parameters to optimize pilot utilization, which may reduce add/drop opportunities, but the unions will attempt to negotiate more favorable parameters. Also you will reduce your pay below guarantee if you drop and don't pick up.
Airlines aren't like regular comapnies where your boss knows you and takes it personally if you are absent a lot. You are a commodity, if the system allows you to never work, you don't have to and nobody cares. You can volunteer for reserve and, at some companies, you might have to fly twice a month. If you live in your domicile, this can be a prett easy lifestyle.