Originally Posted by
md11pilot11
I’m just a little confused. I’ve asked around quite a bit and can’t get a solid answer. Just chatted up a “senior” FO, on property for a few years. And even he didn’t have a good answer for me. It’s just strange to me, like I’m trying to figure out old calculus questions. Every airline is different but I can’t seem to get a grasp on how it all works.
Every reserve day does technically start out as a long call. However, the company can convert it to short call/field standby with no limit (and does so 95+% of the time). You get an extra hr of pay on 3rd (and any subsequent) unused short call/field standbys. They can also shorten a normal 14hr short call shift at any point to make you usable for the next day, I.e. you had short call from noon-2am but they call you at 11pm to put you on short call again for the next day at 9am. Short call can also be converted to field standby w/2.5hr notice at any point as well.