Originally Posted by
ohaiyo
My vote would be for #4. And I say this having enjoyed some nice Silvers in the past. After playing the reserve game and seeing how PB days affect premium across the entire operation I really see that as the one major difference between our contract and all the other majors' as far as work rules are concerned. IMO it (along with 18-hour call out) is the secret sauce that makes Delta pilots so much money, so anything the company gets which keeps reserves even minimally healthy is detrimental to the whole pilot group. In other words, reserve GS offer a return to the pilot group as a whole (they drive broken trips, RR, 23L4, 23L8, more GS, good WS, good OOBWS, etc), while SS offer a return to a single pilot, and ultimately work to benefit the company by letting a full bid-pack trip go out to one pilot.
My second vote would be for #3. Just make it a long-range GS, and count it as such.
I agree, as someone who primarily bids RES, PB is far more valuable to me than the extra pay. I have a feeling that SS are here to stay, but I do feel it should be fair to everyone, not just the most senior guy/gal who gets all of them. I don't have a problem with SS mocking GS counters. I.E. SS1/SS2/SS3 etc.. However, RES should be allowed to partake in the fun on off days if they choose. I understand the company won't want to give out PB days for SS, but could offer double pay.
I also feel RES should be allowed to pick up on off days up to the ALV limit (+15). Now, before you all say "that takes away from premium,". How is that different from the folks who drop to 0 and rebuild their line with broken pairings or pick up WS to the limit?