SCHEDULING Dept.
I'm no expert. I've been at my ULCC for 6 months, but let me tell you the difference between ULCC Scheduling, and scheduling at the regional I just left.
1. REGIONAL:
I upgraded at the regional, having not been on reserve for a decade. After IOE, they slapped reserve days on me. I didn't want to do them. Guess what? Too bad! Had to buy hotel rooms in DTW, KNOWING they wouldn't call me.
ULCC:
After IOE, I was slapped with 6 reserve days in ACY. Ouch. Went to Flica and DROPPED ALL 6, instantaneously. Then I picked up two trips in a different domicile that were both commutable.
2. REGIONAL: Mid-trip, getting into your overnight. ACARS from scheduling: You aren't done. You are now operating flight XXX to YYY. But I don't want to. Too bad.
ULCC: ACARS: Hey guys. WOULD YOU PLEASE operate XXX to YYY, and we will cancel your last day. Just deadhead back AND we will pay you an extra 4 days MUP. The captain made $1000 to fly one leg and be done the next day. I just stayed the the airport for a few hours and caught the first flight toward home.
3. REGIONAL: If scheduling calls you, and you answer, reserve, or line holder, you are on the hook.
ULCC: Scheduling calls you on a day off and OFFERS you a trip. They OFFER what they want to give you for it. You bargain with them. State your demands. They agree or they don't. If not, no harm, no foul, no hard feelings.
4. REGIONAL: On reserve and want to fly a day before your reserve period? Want to drop a reserve day? Want to be paid extra for a trip that operates over your reserve day? << LOL!
ULCC: See a trip in open time? You can't add a trip of course, but you can call and put your name in the hat. I recently had a trip that began the same day, but earlier than my show time. I was paid 6 extra hours for it, on top of guarantee. Junior assignments are optional, but if offered, pay 2X, and on top of guarantee.
Still on reserve here, but due to a transition conflict, my June schedule started with 10 days off. then 5 on, 5 off, 5 on, 5 off. That's 20 days off, and I'm being paid some goodies on top of guarantee.
5. I had 3 weeks off between initial training and IOE. Then one day my IOE schedule appeared. DURING SPRING BREAK! Travel to FLL IMPOSSIBLE via non-rev.
REGIONAL. PROBABLY would have told you get there or else. Just a guess.
ULCC. 20 minutes later I had an e-ticket in hand on an other carrier to get me to IOE paid for by the company. I'm just saying, YES, its a pay cut first year, but for guys who value QOL, the current contract is good, and I doubt much will be conceded next round.