Originally Posted by
iLikeMoose
I searched this question because I am sure it has been answered before, but the search function wasn't very helpful.
Newbie question: I would really prefer to minimize the amount of flying I get while on reserve if I can help it. Doing short call doesn't bother me (I live very close to the airport) but more than anything I would just like to avoid getting assigned the early AM short call. Is it a good strategy to YS short call starting at a better hour, just to avoid getting the less desirable short call slots? I am very junior so I figure I will be getting lots of short call anyways?
Trips are assigned first, then SC’s, so if you are junior and in the lowest buckets you are likely to get a trip before they hand out the first SC. Volunteering for SC will not help this.
I would never “waive” your 1000 first-day protection by volunteering for an early first-day SC, unless it’s for a really good (to you) reason.
As a reserve by choice bidder, I find if you are
not given a trip, it’s typical to get a SC on the first day of a reserve stretch. Though Second day SC’s can and do happen, especially if it’s a longer stretch of Reserve than the minimum for your category . Remember that before you can get your 3+ SC, all others in your RAW bucket have to have been given 2 first. It’s not common, but they’ve been known to miss that/screw that up.
if you decide to do an “if needed” slip for a trip
or SC, remember that is
not optional for CS to honor it. It’s exactly like a YS for the trip. CS MUST consider that if you would have been used. The PWA, SRH, and Scheming Alerts are all binding for CS. However, I have been the victim missing a group of trips, only to have a late add to Open Time which tagged me. It initially appeared they ignored the “if needed”, but when I called, they explained what really happened. Oh well, win some, lose some. If in doubt, call and respectfully ask “why”.
Good luck.