Originally Posted by
OldFlyGuy
I don't know about 60 hrs, but I've flown with very senior F/Os who swapped/dropped to be available to GS: ie get the greenie first and worry about filling up to the GS trigger later. Again, very senior and obvious manning issues. I've read these "I never get a GS" posts a million times. AND they never will if they keep volunteering to fly at straight rates. It is their contractual right. But clearly you are solving company manning issues and costing someone else at least double. The company LOVES this. That alone should be enough to consider what you are doing. Also, not just IMO, there is a limit to how much time you can be on the road without damaging your home life. How many straight pay 100 hour block months does it take to cover $2m in a divorce settlement? Also, not just IMO, I never G/S or W/S when we had people on furlough despite being pretty senior and anyone who did is a POS contract or not. OFG
"There are very senior F/Os who swapped/dropped to be available to GS: ie get the greenie first and worry about filling up to the GS trigger later."
Agreed.
There are also very junior F/O's who swapped/dropped/PD'd/APD'd to get rid of trips (when they could) for QOL, and then picked up trips (via WS) that helped build them back to a regular month's line...because GS's aren't coming their way at their seniority.
I know it sucks when you're in a position to GS, then someone drops a WS with low reserve coverage (however that comes about). I appreciate that you agree that it's their "contractual right." But I don't feel like you're looking at the big picture. For junior guys on the line, the only way to fill back up after dumping something that they needed to get rid of is to grab that WS. Sometimes it only happens at the last minute, when it pops into open time, and it works for them and fills their schedule back up. They're not looking at reserve coverage when they're trying to get their hours back. It happens. I know it sucks for those hanging in the trees for the greenies, but it's how the system works. You've kind of got to view it from both angles. You were there once. Just my two cents.