Questions to the pros from a poolie
 

Hey, even though I might be wading in the pool for a while, I was wondering a couple of things, for future planning purposes...

1- can new hires be sent to Subic, or the soon-to-be China or Europe domiciles?

2- do new hires sent to ANC or above, receive some type of financial moving assitance from the company?

3- how many days off for reserve lines? for regular hard lines?

4- does VIPS allow even junior pilots to move days off around to create a more commutable schedule... say 10 off, then 6 on/1 off, 6 on/1 off...

If you have time to answer, I would appreciate it.

Sailor,

I'm not a pro by any means but I've been here about seven months and can answer most of your questions.

1-2: Yes they can and have but it's a company decision, not really an option for a new hire. Reference the "Purple Nugget" program from last summer.

3: Average 15-17 days off on a reserve line. Not sure about regular lines because I live locally and bid reserve (and like it).

4: VIPS (CRS) is flexible when moving reserve days around (in my case anyway). You can drop, move, trade with ease unless there are insufficient reserves or you're scheduled for a line check. I believe it's even in the contract that crew scheduling can't arbitrarily refuse your request unless there's a good reason, or so I've heard. Open time also allows you to pick up trips to make your life easier too.

Congratulations on being in the pool and I hope you dry off soon. It's been a great experience so far.

DC

I hope this helps...

Thanks for the reply guys, and fdxer, i REALLY want the job, so will take whatever I get :)

A bit of caution. As the hiring slows due to bean counters and over 60 guys filling the back seats, manning will get tight in more seats. When that happens, life on reserve will not be as peachy as Denny has enjoyed thus far. Once upon a time (only 2-3 years ago) I wasn't able to move or drop an R day for a full year. We were short in the seat and VIPS wouldn't approve any of the drops or moves I put in for, and I tried consistently.

I'm not complaining, I was and am still happy to be here. Just another side of the reserve story that some guys haven't had the pleasure of experiencing lately.

Acknowledged. ;)

I've heard those stories before but could only offer what I've experienced in my limited time at FedEx. I'm thankful every day to be here and understand things could change in an instant. Appreciate the reality check Snafu.

Have to back up what SNAFU said. Right now we're Rosie O'Donnell fat in some seats so moving R days, dropping R days, dropping trips, etc.... is easy.

When manning is tight, you can't move R days, drop trips, drop R days, you get reserve lines that you can't change and then you get used almost every single day you're on the horn. It can definitely suck.

CloudSailor....... IMO, the pool boy Orlando just brought out a bunch of towels. Just my opinion..... I don't think you'll be swimming through the summer. I could easily be wrong but I don't think the new SCP likes to keep the pool full of bodies. I expect something to change after the upcoming MOAB Part Deux.