Originally Posted by
Opteryx
Without getting too specific, I thought I did. How about I say I live in the SE.
And thanks for all the answers, but remember, you're talking to someone who is not yet in your world, so about half of what you're saying is going right over my head. Keep it simple for those of us in a different world still. For example:
What is "straight drop trips?"
And when you say "blocking your trips together" do you mean there is no time off at all between trips?
And descriptions like "3 days off at a time" I understand but what is a "non-commutable trip?"
And "On a typical 12-14 day line" does that mean you are working 12-14 straight days in a row?"
Here's another question: Generally speaking, or should I say, as an average, how many actual hours a month does a junior FO work (lets say at a domicile for purity's sake)? In other words, the time from showing up at the airport in the morning, until leaving in the afternoon/evening/night.
A young guy wouldn't care about these things because he knows it doesn't matter - it is what it is, he'll figure it all out once he's on the line, and it's just the price he has to pay to get in the business, but for older folks with other options, it all goes into the decision making process.
I'll try...
Straight time v premium time: regular pay or pay at time and a half. The company has uncovered trips every day. These you can bid on to work on your day off. You can bid to work them at straight time or premium time. (They'll always pay at straight first so guys usually always bid them at premium making sure the company has to pay premium to get someone to work on a day off) it's a way to make more money and generally those who live in base can do it easier as there are more last min uncovered trips.
Blocking trips together is just that. Sometimes guys will have a day off in between but you can work 6 days in a row then you need a day off.
Non commutable: other airlines have trips that you can either commute in the day your trip starts and commute out the day it ends, meaning you don't have to commute on your day off. SW is one or the other and sometimes neither, meaning you lose at least a day off commuting each trip.
12-14 days of work a month: how many days you'll work usually split into x day trips. Usually 3 day trips but can be any combination of 1, 2, 3, or 4 day trips. For the first couple yrs plan on working 15 days a month.
Time away from home: I'm averaging 60 hrs from base (without commute) every 3 day trip. If you do 5 of those that's ~300 hrs away from base a month.
Whenever someone says "you can do this..." It usually means you have to have some seniority first. Plan on working 15 days a month, plan on being in reserve for at least 6 months, plan on being paid 90 tfp (our use of pay per hr) a month. Then if you make more or have more flexibility you'll be happy.