For those that have been on reserve recently, has there been any sort of pattern for timing of long call to short call conversions? Trying to figure out if they are likely to convert right away at midnight of day 1 or if there is some play in the timing. SFO base particularly. TIA

 

yes, it have been in very predictable, data driven, completely random pattern.

 

Depends on who’s working in scheduling that day and how many JA calls they have to make.

 

Last year they used to offer short call RAPS for afternoons. Now they’ve learned they don’t need to do that. They can just call at 0001 to a LCR and make them any short call RAP after 1400. And that’s what they do.

For months now, no base system wide had a man afternoon shirt call RAP. I think for April SEA finally sees one afternoon SC RAP, like 1300L.

 

Is there a specific reason you're asking? Trying to get more time at home? Figuring out commute options? Something else?

 

If you want to have some sort of influence over your schedule and avoid some of the red eyes, offer something they can't contractually force you into on day 1 like a RAP before 1400. Mid morning raps like 10am fly the least and if you request it during the window the day prior to your first day there is a good chance they will give it to you by 1300.

 

PLC to SC conversions are almost always done the day prior during the reserve assignment window from 1000-1300. So if your first day of reserve is a Monday, on Sunday between 1000-1300 they will assign all open time trips and SC conversions for Monday. Since you are not contactable then they wont call you, but you'll get the "Crew Access Notification" text message sometime before 1300 the day prior if you've been converted.

You can login then and acknowledge the notification or sign up for long call auto acknowledgement (you are not required to do either). However, if you do not do either of these they will likely contact you between 0000-0100 to formally notify you of the RAP and give you the appropriate rest period.

If you are ever converted to a SC RAP after the assignment window, then you get one hour of pay in addition to any conversion pay you are entitled to.

If you have a PLC line, make sure you are going into Crew Access and setting your preferences for each day before 10am. Unfortunately right now there is no way to put in "standing" preferences so you have to go in each day and do it.