Originally Posted by
riktaroller
Those of us who work at Alaska are very aware of how inflexible scheduling and adjustment to a schedule can be at Alaska. Ever since they “supposedly relaxed and opened the trade desk”, less of my trips get picked up in open time, unless they’re a day turn, which was the same before. Maybe the trade desk is making picking up less needed “although denied” seems to be the only response I get.
For the sake of discussion what could we hope for in the next contract or maybe it’s time to suck it up and quit while the hiring gives us all choices.
What are rules like at other airlines?
Had a 1.5 year Spirit FO who said he averaged 17-19 days off, 80 credits and the ability to trade until his trips were commutable, TRUE for other spirit pilots?
Same senority at Alaska would be 14-16 days off, 80 credits and no ability to get commutable trips after or during bid awards, in my observation.
Other great (sarcasm) things about Alaska, only way to drop a trip below 75 credits is to have another pilot grab it, otherwise denied.
Want to drop a 3 day for a 4 day, denied, no reserve coverage to drop the 3 day.
In other words, your going to fly 75 hours at least every month and it will be the schedule your awarded.
Reserves, you don’t want to be on reserve, be prepared to be flown up to 90 credits every bid, especially in Seattle.
Am I missing any other Alaska scheduling joy?
You aren't missing anything. I've been here going on 4 years and our scheduling flexibility is some of the worst. I'm almost embarrassed to compare my schedules with my buddies at the "Big 3" including SWA's. Especially when it comes to block vs credit. Trip trading and trip dropping are virtually non existent. Other than day for day vacation trading, the flexibility pretty much ends there unless the trip you want to trade matches EXACTLY like the trip in open time. There are a few exceptions here and there but its definitely not the norm. Along with industry standard compensation and scope, scheduling flexibility and work rules are equally important. We'll see in two years how the next contract goes!