Originally Posted by
C340
I am not planning on bailing - I just mention that because I think Flex does no one any good by stating
"crew members bid schedule in 4 day blocks or as many as 8 day blocks with similar times off in-between." in their
recruiting material. While technically correct, it is more like a bait and switch if it is not going to be happening for awhile. Particularly if one were to compare Flexjet to Netjets, this apparent option for shorter rotations could make the difference between someone choosing Flexjet over Netjets and their popular 7/7. To a new hire who chose Flexjet, lured in by shorter rotations, now they'll be on longer rotations than most of the Netjets pilots! It would be good to be up front and mention that kind of schedule may only be possible down the road. Heck, Delta could also come out and advertise to new hires that you will "make half a million dollars a year and only fly 5 days a month!" and thats not a technically a lie either - so long as they are referring to their 30+ year senior captains.
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No one is saying to expect to have to wait 30 years before 4 day rotations are a possibility due to seniority. We're talking maybe 12-18 months *at most* depending on your fleet assignment and if you take upgrades. At this point that's probably a grossly high estimate too, considering DRL CA slots are coming open in that same time frame. I was awarded bids w/ 4 day runs on months 3, 5, and 7 of captain flying (the only months I bid for them). I never bid for them as an FO. I don't think it's unrealistic to expect to have to pay your dues and not get the exact schedule you want immediately after training at any company with a seniority list. If 4 day trips are your goal then you'll get them eventually, you just have to put in the relatively short time to build the seniority to get them.
The majority of the questions you raise here both from a scheduling standpoint and a DRL standpoint are addressed in company documents and manuals. I'd suggest reading the 'How to use PBS Bid System' .pdf, 'Pilot Supplement 2022.08' .pdf and 'Domestic RL Supplement' .pdf as they've all got good and pertinent information to these topics.