Originally Posted by
sonic340
I’ve heard that reserve is bad here but it’s been over 10 years since I’ve been on it. Looking to make some more $$ here but not wanting to make myself and family miserable in the process.
I commute from the Midwest and am a fairly senior 737 FO with short 1 leg commute. I can hold DEN or ORD but would be on reserve as a Capt. I’d be around 75% on the west coast but not doing a 2 leg commute for NB Capt line. Being a commuter and snagging any PP trips is nearly impossible unless all the stars align. So again it comes down to money vs quality of life and yes that’s a personal decision we all have to make. So I’m just trying to get some input on DEN and ORD 737 reserve life. Are you able to aggressive pick up many trips? Are you sitting around much or flying? I haven’t flown with any reserve captains in a long time.
The other option is bottom of the barrel sparky ORD.
Thanks
If you can hold a line anywhere else, do it. Reserve is awful as a commuter. In base ,it sucks but is bearable. You will either be flying, on short call or sitting field standby. Every day will be used for something. It’s pretty rare to be on long call. They will always have something for you.
Sure, you can aggressively pick up, but there has to be something for you to pick up. Summer and holidays work, but the off months you’re getting the field standby built at 2000 or later. I would recommend the double commute to a line before commuting to reserve.