CaptainGator

Good morning all. I have been rewarded a reserve line with one long block of R-days. I have vacation that falls in the middle of this block of days. I understand that with the new contract that the entire block of R-days will be dropped and I will be eligible to request specific trips during the bid processing period in order to make up the amount of days not covered by my vacation.
Here's my question: For starters, there are 19 A-period days in one block and I have 8 days of vacation. Also, I DO NOT WANT to sit one day of reserve in Memphis (I want to fly). Do I have to enter anything during the "bid processing period" specifically to require them to drop my entire block of R-days and allow me to request specific trips for the time not covered by my vacation? I've already slid the vacation so that it falls in the middle of the block with more than 48 hours on each side. Do I have to "expand" the vacation or does the entire block of R-days automatically get dropped? Do I have to select "yes" where it is asked if I want to be "converted to a secondary line", etc?

Thanks in advance for either directing me to where this subject has already been addressed or answering these questions not only for me but anyone that may want to take advantage of this opportunity offered by the new contract (one of the few).

Safe flying ya'll.

kronan

you are thinking of training.

For a reserve line, they essentially create a custom R line for you with the appropriate number of days.

In your case, they will build an R line w/11 days on it trying to keep any R day blocks your existing R line had in it.....with you being able to make some requests. (If you expand, you will be responsible for fewer R days).

The 48 hour buffers just give you more continuous time off....e.g. get 2-13August blocked free versus 4-11. Still have to serve all of the remaining R days. So, if you just want the time off and not specific days off, I'd expand my vacation and waive the buffers. If you want specific days off, then I'd slide my vacation left/right, expand it of course, and keep the buffers.
(The bid period processing window will give you a graphical representation of what you've requested)

In your case, since you want to fly. You can request to be converted to a secondary line.....but, given that there is so little flying available, I'm thinking it's unlikely that you will be converted.

boost

Hey Captain Gator,
I hope it works out for you and you can pull the whole month off! There have been some good previous threads about this same subject.

Give this one a try and see if it answers your question!

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ca...rotection.html

Good luck!
boost

MaydayMark

Have had vacation during Reserve months many times. Agree with Kronan above ... except that you can extend your vacation for the total number of Vacation hours (i.e. 7 R vacation days = 42 hours, so you can extend your vacation usually 3 extra days if you want to 10 days and then only have to stand the remaining 9 RA periods.

But I wonder if you have to do all that during the "36 hour" window? Not sure? If that's the case, we're well past the window? Call your "futures" scheduler for details.

FDXLAG

Just make sure you tell them when you want your remaining R Days. Otherwise they will put them where they want them.

MX727

36 Hour window has been replaced by the Conflict Input Window which closes on Monday at 0700 CT

CPDLC

It's open now. You need to go to VIPS/Bid Period Processing/Vacation Adjustments.
Accomplish your slide and extension and then be sure to address your 48hr buffer waiver. You can waive the front or back or both to keep those R days where they are. If you want to move them to a different set of days, put your request of those days in the Reserve Line Reconstruction in the same section in VIPS. Normal rules apply: 2day min block (three for us in ANC I think). Remember, if you sit R days before your vacation block, you won't be levelled. If you sit R days after, you are levelled for your vacation time.
Sounds like you want to fly so I guess it won't matter. Regardless, you can still First Fly.
Enjoy your time off!

CPDLC

fdx727pilot

Then you really screwed yourself by bidding Reserve. As mentioned, you will have to sit at least 9 days of reserve, and in the unlikely event futures converts you to a secondary line, you will probably get last choice of any available trips.

Reserve with vacation normally is great for maximizing your days off, but not if you don't want to do any reserve. Also, nowadays, at least on the 72, bidding a line with vacation seems to work better, as for Aug, we have lines with a BLG of 78 Hr that only work 13 days out of 35, but get bought up to 85. Bid one of those, conflict 48 hrs for vacation and only work 5 days. Obviously, I can't vouch for the big jets.

CaptainGator

Fdx727pilot, You are absolutely right. I "screwed" myself by bidding reserve during a vacation month if I don't want to sit any R days. And Kronan, you are correct too. I will be sure to attempt the same thing during training (the whole block is canceled and then one can request make up trips before VTO's are released). All good answers. That's why I like this forum. Good honest answers and a little knowledge to use in the future.
I will first attempt to have my reserve days converted to VTO. I'll slide my vacation to where I need it most then expand in the direction that I need to get those few more days off. I'll go on first fly and hopefully get a trip right away. Otherwise, there's some good golf courses to play while in Memphis (any invites to get in a round at your club?) and old friends to visit.
Thanks everyone for your input. Hopefully it will help another pilot or two in the future.
For now, don't fly disputed pairings and stay unified. It's only our future that we're talking about.
Cheers, Gator