Originally Posted by
Dave Fitzgerald
Many of the cargo trips are between 6-8 days. I even saw a 9 day trip. You can't use a reserve for that long. Many have HDO's or have a 1 in 7 day off issue. Particularly when they staff a 3rd augment with another Capt. They are staffing many of the cargo flights with an extra augment, further reducing the reserve availability.
So, you are left with 0 line, line holders who are willing to pickup.
What you fail to state on those 7+ day trips......Often times First and/or Final leg(s)/days are DH to start/end. There are SEVERAL trips that are 2 days (sometimes 3 days with two days DH home to West Coast base) with DH on beginning and ending to make the 7 day a five day trip. The reserves are waiving days on these trip thus most of the time able to break guarantee.