Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
Can anyone please describe the scheduling process?
Does everyone bid for a line, even if it's a reserve line?
Yes, but RSV at SKW is a special kind of torture. Expect to be used heavily, and sent to sit OBR (Out of Base Reserve) if you're not flying. Management hates to have reserves sitting around "unused", so if your idea of a good time is a 5-day sit in a crappy hotel in MSP without actually touching an airplane, reserve is for you!
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
When are the bid lines, if any, released, due and awarded each month?
Bid period is 10th-15th, results of bids usually published on the 18th.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
How many guaranteed days off are there in a month?
12, as of next year. Currently it's 11.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
Besides scheduled trips, what else can be scheduled? I presume two types of reserve. Am I correct? If so, what are they?
Long and short-call reserve. Long call is 12 hours, short call is a 2 hr callout.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
Do the number of days off vary per line?
Yes. Super senior guys (top 5% in base, it will take you 20-30 years to get there as a CA) are able to bid down to a min of 59 credit hours, which can be achieved by working 10 days a month. Realistically -- you will be working 18 days/month.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
What are the shortest trip lengths from California bases?
We have LAX-SBA, SFO-SMF, and we had SFO-STS until UA pulled out of STS. About 20 minutes' air time.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
What are the longest trip lengths?
I've done West Coast to OKC, ORD to YVR...think the longest single flight I've done was over 4:00 block.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
What are the most legs one might be scheduled to fly in a day?
Typically 5 legs, that's often about a 14 hr duty day.
Originally Posted by
DiatomaceousJon
Do California-based pilots ever end up on the east coast during a trip?
Yes. Most of the CA guys are covering DEN flying though, so you'll see A LOT of DEN and the Midwest. You won't often make it out East if you have a line, unless that's where you want to go and you can hold those trips.
But on reserve, you'll be sent to sit wherever they need you, even if that's in a hotel room in DTW or ATL for 5 straight days. I did a month of reserve in IAH and flew once, yes once. Rest of the time was Airport Appreciation (Ready reserve, which is still a thing -- you have to be within 20 minutes of the gate), or sitting around the hotel surfing the Internet.