Originally Posted by RJSAviator76

Remember, the answer is "I'll do my best" while on probation, but that under NO circumstances obligates you, nor are you responsible in any way, shape or form if that flight pushes back late.

These types of flights would normally get assigned to premium bidders until some yahoo in Scheduling decided to play the game with new guys and count on their ignorance of our contract to effectively kill premium flying.

In a nutshell... you are under no obligation to answer the Scheduling's call the day prior, nor are you under any obligation to self-acknowledge the day prior. In fact, by doing any of the above, you are grossly undercutting yourself and your fellow pilots and contributing to the erosion of our contract. Looking at the trip in CrewBuddy doesn't constitute acknowledgment, or looking at it in CWA just as long as you don't actually acknowledge it.

THE ONE AND ONLY requirement is that you answer the phone once your RAP starts. From that point, you have 2 hours to the lounge and the protocol is that we report 1 hour prior to push in our domicile. Effectively, that's 3 hours from notification to push.

Here's how I've done it on probation and even now when I pick up an AM reserve block:

I NEVER answer on my day off. They are gonna have to call me at 0330, but now I'm ready.

If they want me to cover a trip that departs at 0530, it goes something like this...

Scheds: "We have a trip on your board departing at 0530. We appreciate if you can make it."

Me: "I need two hours, but I'll do my best."

Scheds: "We'll put SWMP and close-in parking authorized on your board. Thank you for your help."

Me: "Sure thing...." Their choice...

Now... I don't show up at the lounge (not gate) until 0530 at which point, I update my EFB, read and acknowledge my RBF's and check my box. At this point, I show up at the gate at 0545 and say hello to Ops Agent. The flight is already 15 minutes late pushing back, but remember, that was Scheduling's choice. I'll do my walkaround and get my preflight duties completed. Remember, they aren't allowed to board on the originators unless both pilots are present. If you show up and the flight is boarded, someone broke the rules and you may want to fill out an ASAP.

So now, assuming everything has gone perfect and the boarding went expeditiously, you are pushing back 45 minutes late from the scheduled time, but 15 minutes early based on your contractual requirements. You smell like roses.

The best part? It's all Scheduling's fault. If they wanted this flight to push on time, they should have assigned it to a premium bidder who would be under normal obligation to show up 1 hour prior to push and thereby ensuring an on-time departure. Nobody can say anything to you, nor will you ever be blamed for late push regardless if you're on probation or not. And again, don't feel bad... remember, there are usually premium bidders for that trip that Scheduling chose to ignore to assign it to you in hopes you either don't know your contract, or that being a new guy, you will willfully disregard it to be a 'team player.'

Someone from higher up will see these originators pushing late and they'll start asking why Scheduling would choose to not award them at premium to ensure that the rest of the day isn't delayed because it's literally peanuts in the grand scheme of things, but to the pilot group, it means a lot.