The only people who can bid down to the minimum are the top 3-5% most senior in each base. And I'm absolutely not joking or exaggerating. For the very vast majority of people you will very regularly get the bare minimum of 11 days off enough. Count your blessings if you get 12. The way it works is the bidding software demands you bid 90 hours of credit because despite what the delusional liars in management say the airline is severely understaffed. (they emailed every pilot begging to put ourselves on reserve this weekend on our precious few days off.) Unless you're in the top 20% of seniority you can count on working 4 day trips that credit 18.5 hours on average. 18.5 X 4 = 74 hours. To make up the rougly 15 hour difference you'll likely be forced to fly a couple of standups or an extra 3 day. 4 days X 4 trips =16 + a 3 day = 19 days. 30-19= your 11 days off. Throw in commuting. If you aren't at the very least 50% or more senior in most bases you WILL be paying out of your own pocket for a crash pad or hotel for an ADDITIONAL night/ day away from home. Let's say 1 extra day on the road commuting either to or from work for each of those 4 day trips. That's 11-4. That's 7 days at home a month. It's completely unsustainable and many people truly are being worked to death. Welcome to the regionals I suppose. Skywest used to be different/better but not anymore. Livin' the dream!