Originally Posted by
HighFlight
Police2Pilot, contrary to what I read above, RSV does affect your upgrade time. Consider that you need total time and 121 time to upgrade. Total time varies by company, but is typically around 2500-3000. And you must have 1,000 121 (scheduled carrier) hours to upgrade by the FARs.
If you sit on RSV and don't fly much, you accumulate those critical hours much more slowly, usually. Unless the company you choose uses RSV pilots a lot, that is. I have seen RSV guys get less than 100 hours per year. Some fly more. It just all depends. My advice to you would be to find a newer FO on here at each company you are looking at, and ask them how long they sat RSV, and how many hours they averaged per month while on RSV. Bear in mind that RSV needs 6 months ago can be completely different from today, and certainly different 6 months from now. But it can impact your upgrade time, to be sure.
It may be better now, but back when I interviewed at Evoy, RSV time was around 2 years. So I opted not to hang my hat there. Current guys there now can comment and inform you better what you can expect. Good luck in finding a good match for your new career!
Police2Pilot please feel free to disregard this information. Although it is all factual and true it will most certainly not happen. You have to work hard and get lucky to worry about this situation. Reserve guys can expect anywhere from 300-700 per year.
Reserve in base isn't bad. It's all about personal preference. I bid to have the most time at with my family as possible. Others bid for different reasons. Some pilots say the worst hard line is always better than the best reserve line. Like the old saying goes different strokes for different folks.