Originally Posted by upndsky

To expand on what Uncle Sam wrote.

The 2 a.m. thing is basically the deadline for you to acknowledge an assignment they may have given you. If you haven't by that time and depending on why you're supposed to report, they'll start calling you.

The 3 p.m. (base time) deadline is the cutoff where scheduling can put something on your schedule for the next day that can report as early as 5 or 6 a.m. (can't remember which).

If you have nothing on your schedule after 3 p.m. on your last X day, you just begin long call at midnight, which means you're on a 12-hour leash so the earliest trip they can give you is one with a report of 12:01 p.m. However, there are a few exceptions:

1. They only need to give 10 hours notice for short call, so after 3 p.m., they could assign you a 10 a.m. short call.

2. If you lower your RAW score, you're actually submitting a yellow slip, although it doesn't specifically or clearly say that. This, in effect, voids the 3 p.m. cutoff. So, scheduling could assign you a trip at 5:55 p.m. on you last X day that signs in at 6:00 a.m. the next morning and you'd be responsible for that. If you hadn't lowered your RAW score, then they couldn't have done that. If you're a commuter, this can obviously bite you.

A lot of new hires have gotten stung by that, including yours truly. Fortunately, the schedulers have been understanding with new guys because it is so confusing and in my case (and others) gave me a pass. But just be aware that lowering your RAW score does much more than that. It puts you in a different set of rules with which they can assign you.

Having come from another airline, I have found the schedulers here to be very accommodating and understanding - within reason, of course. Unless they're swamped, they have been more than willing to spend time answering a lot of these questions. Don't be afraid to call them and ask, especially if you're new.