Originally Posted by
Andy
Spot on. APC225, I've read that before from you and that's exactly why schedulers use SC so liberally. You nailed it.
Back on topic ... complaining about SC. I'm very junior in my seat so I flip between line and reserve on a regular basis. I've been junior pond scum most of my career - not by choice until now (double furloughee). I could complain about our current reserve system but it's not that bad and I live out of base.
We get 1 hour pay for every SC >2 that we aren't used. I can make it in 14 hrs but 2 1/2 hrs doesn't work. I can pay for a hotel room with the 1 hr pay when I'm on SC so I'm not sure where the beef is here for those of us who commute to SC. And unless you're on first year pay, you shouldn't have much problem affording a hotel room for 1 hr pay. For those that can't afford a night in a hotel, there's always the crew lounge (ugh!).
Reserve - not optimal but there's no reserve system that will satisfy everyone. What we currently have is one of the better compromises.
I recently filed a PDR regarding forced into RDO flying because the Crew Desk Scheduled so many SC's that the only person who could have been forced into the RDO was me. No prior consideration on the part of the Crew Desk, on the ramifications of so many SC's leaves one pilot to fly EVEN in to his RDO. I was contacted by the ALpa PDR person who explained to me the my fleet has a lot of mechanicals and thus the need for SC's AND ALpa closely monitors SC production by the crew desk and does not see anything arbitrary or capricious about SC assignments. Hmm, I just want to point out " I have NEVER been called out for a 2.5 hour show....NEVER. I have however been assigned trips that departed in 14 hours from SC or called at 0130 to let me know "I am released from SC and am being assigned ANOTHER 1400 SC.