Originally Posted by
bentwookie
I'm a brand new MD88B, sitting reserve in NYC. I'll be done commuting after the June conversion, but in the meantime I'm trying to work out crash pads/commuting to NYC (from MSP).
Does anyone have any idea what effect the new MD-88/LGA rules will have on MD88 NYC reserve scheduling the next couple of months?
Will I be deadheaded to ATL trips? or is the flying just being shifted to JFK and EWR? Or to other planes?Will I be sitting around unused?
Specifically, I'm trying to figure out whether I should contract for a crash pad (or not), and if so which airport I should be closest to. This is all new to me. Thanks for any and all feedback you can give me!
NYC is a unique animal. The short answer is probably all of the above. Not sure of your background, but reserves are basically there to plug holes that pop up at the last minute. As a new pilot, on probation, still learning the contract/bidding system I would just plan to be in NYC on your reserve days. If you only have to do 3 months, it will dramatically reduce your stress level if you don't try to commute to reserve.
It is possible to sit long call at home, but not advisable from MSP. There will almost certainly be a "witching hour" in the evening where you won't be able to make it to base within 12 hours. You will frequently get a short call assignment (or a trip) on your first on call day which will force you to come to NYC anyways. An option to look out for: front end deadheads to start a trip. If you see a trip in open time that matches your days of availability, you could put in a yellow slip to try and grab the one that works best for you. A trip with a front end deadhead might make it more convenient to just deviate directly to the first operating city (once in a blue moon it might even be MSP) and then start the trip from there.
Suggestions: once you're comfortable with all your fleet stuff and the OE guide, look up the Scheduling Reference Handbook on the DAL.alpa.org It has a bunch of gouge on how to enter slip requests, deadhead deviations, reserve obligations, etc.
NYC specifically I would just get a crashpad in Kew Gardens for a few months. It's located centrally between JFK and LGA. On the rare occasion that you get an advanced notice EWR trip just head out there the night before and Priceline a hotel. There is no such thing as a crashpad that is convenient to all 3, which is why most people end up in Kew. The 90 is still operating from LGA so you will have LGA trips, not to mention they may schedule a deadhead from there. LGA trips are not going away for the 88 category, they are just being reduced.
For transportation you have the airporter (approx $16) between JFK/LGA and it offers connections in Manhattan to EWR. You may save a couple bucks (and add a lot of headache) by taking public transit, except at rush hour when the train is the fastest way to EWR. Uber is most expensive but useful in a pinch. Typically $30 from JFK to LGA. Kew cab or general taxi is a little cheaper but not as prompt on demand, in my experience.
Good luck and have fun. You will hear horror stories about NYC and the expense involved but it's not that big of a deal with the right mindset.