It means with just a little bit of work, I can always find something better that works for me.

I haven’t had to call fatigue since I started but summer reserve with the optimizer and new RAS stings. Getting back from a grueling 4 day only to have them use you for an island turn the next morning hurts. Having to do 2 more legs after a SFO CLT leg knowing you’re starting another 2 day sequence the next day hurts a lot.

it's brutal. Had to burn a sick day after getting a turn assigned to me the day after a pretty harsh 3 leg day that ended a 4 day trip. There are still reserves in my bid status with zero hours this month.

If you’re fatigued, call fatigued. I’ve had 3 events and paid for each one. Just follow the instructions from the union.

Side note:

I'm just gonna go out and say that I've only called fatigued one time here and my fatigue call was deemed non operational and not paid, despite everything about it being operational. I even followed union guidance, had my report proofread and greenlit by the union, and didn't include anything but facts, yet still not paid.

Definitely miffed about it, and sent a sound off and e-mail to local reps. Heard nothing.

Others mileage may vary, definitely don't fly fatigued, but it's not a get out of jail free (with pay) card.

I’ve had approx 8 fatigue calls in 2.5 years, all of them paid and deemed operational. All of them were also in the middle of a trip or at the end of a trip (victory laps after long days and delays, etc). Not sure the details around your event, but if you call out fatigued before even starting a trip I’ve heard the rate of success of it being deemed operational is very low, even when merited and/or as a reserve. But I also truly believe the narrative can make or break it. If it was greenlit by the union, I’m surprised it got deemed non-operational. Was it before sign-in in your case?

Wasn't before sign in, was day 4/4 penalty lap after a long sit pushing max duty day. Mx delay into wx delay into medical emergency return to gate. So I'm not sure how I could've changed the narrative any more than a complete operational chit show leading to it. Still got the 5:15 for working the 1 leg already that day, but lost out on 2.5ish extra. Rare case probably, but still happens.

On reserve, I once finished a 24 hour 4 day with transcons and 3 hour sits days 2-4. Had exactly 12 hours of rest before starting an 11-hour 2-day. Emailed the fatigue committee and was told the company looks at rest in base as wiping the slate clean from any sort of operationally-induced fatigue. I just called out sick instead

Another thing to add is to try to bid for 4 day blocks or less. Under the old system, bidding 6 days was advantageous, as you rarely got called on the extra two days. Now, since flight time is rarely a factor, you don’t want to risk getting a 4 day followed by a 2 day.

This is true, I know from experience. Automatic non-operational if you're given proper rest between trips. Didn't waste my time last week, just banged out sick on the last day of reserve when they gave me a bull**** turn after a grueling 4 day.