Svergin

Oh I’m dealing with it. Quite well in fact, especially now that the SC secret is getting out. You asked the question and made an assumption while doing so. It seemed to me as though you were also pointing the big ol’ digit squarely at me. I then provided you with one simple example of guys bumped to reserve who once held a line. Therefore, they obviously did not choose reserve duty. As a rebuttal you then offered me your paternal advice “you have two choices” Thanks Dad! The funny thing is, I actually love reserve at times like this. Does that mean that I cannot comment on the current reserve rules? Why have a forum if we can’t carp and learn from each other?

As far as your assertion that “I’ll bet that you didn’t care one bit about reserve rules until it happened to you” you got me. You’re exactly right. But not in the way you think. Before you take your victory lap, allow me to explain.

As a new hire, I spent my first two years as the dead last guy on the 727 in domicile. Needles to say, I became reserve rules expert on day one. (1)
The company then parked the 727 and I was bumped to the 757. I held a line for about a year and was then bumped to reserve. (2)
I was then bumped to the 737. I held a line for a bit, but was again bumped to reserve. (3)
I was then bumped to ORD where I held a line until I was bumped to reserve. (4)
I was then bumped and escorted to the curb of Terminal Two under United’s "Work Release" Program. I didn’t bid it.
When I returned I was on the Guppy. Of course I knew that I’d be on reserve. (4.1) But soon enough I held a line.
I then bid the 757 where I held a great line, but after a while UA got rid of the guppies and I was of course bumped to reserve. (5)
I was then bumped to the Airbus where I held a line, until don’t you know I was bumped to reserve. (6)
I bid the triple knowing that I’d be close to the G line but I held a line for a year. Alas now I have been bumped…guess where? (7)

Are you with me so far? Out of 7 stints on reserve I only volunteered for 3. Taking the job as a new hire, returning from furlough and then potentially the 777. Of course I could bid the guppy and be super senior, fly my tail off and SRM and all of that. But why would anyone do that when they can make the same money (or more) on another fleet and work much less? There’s stupid is and stupid does of course, but I prefer what I’m doing now, even it that means being on reserve. Thanks for the advice though. As far as "its a fact that things change", I think I addressed my first hand experience with your trite truism in paragraph 3 above.

So even you can see that I’ve been interested in reserve rules since I was hired. And when the topic of improving them comes up, sometimes I type. And when someone posts something easily dismissible I type even more because I don’t want new hires to be lulled into this endless cycle of hazing and disinformation. And I like to leave things better than I found them for those who follow. Because I’m on reserve I have all day to type. Meanwhile I’m stocking up on feed corn and life is pretty darn sweet.

It’s interesting that when a FNG comes on here and suggests that our res system is inferior to the one he enjoyed at his commuter airline, no one here seems to say anything or even take note, other than guys on reserve. Its also interesting that the other forum has TWO stickies at the top pertaining to the goat rope that can be reserve. And its interesting that when I (along with others) make constructive criticisms about the system, and offer concrete evidence of ways in which it USED TO BE BETTER, a whole mess of guys just tune up the “tough, you bid it, or, why don’t you quit refrain”. I must be be getting under some guys skin.

Its a big contract and i’m not looking for a carve out. Just subtle improvements across the board. Why that rankles so many I don’t understand. Its not like we’re making BK wages anymore.

I’m not a MIL guy so I’ll never use that part of the contract, but I fully support every page in that section and would like to see it strengthened and improved upon for my fellow pilots who are.

Same thing, Career move.
Same thing, Maternity leave.
Same thing, LTD.
Same thing, EAP etc.

I don’t ridicule or lecture guys who have issues they’d like to see improved in the contract and I am bemused by guys who do.