172skychicken

I don't quite understand the math on that. 17 and 18 hour 3 days are a dime a dozen on the larger narrowbody fleets, at least that was my experience on the 73N. In order to meet the amount per day on 330B pay, the trip would have to be a 21-22 hour 3 day. Those aren't a super common in all of the 330 categories, and are virtually nonexistent on the 765, recent domestic trips notwithstanding. It's a different story on the 350 obviously, and there were some good 20-21 hour Asia 3 days on the 330 out of SEA and TLV out of JFK.

crewdawg

DTW330B does 3 day NGO worth 26.2 hours. Some guys do 3x3-day NGOs for 78 hours. You can WS 4-day trips with a DH day that can be deviated from (actually only work 3 days) and you get 21 hours. On the 330, I normally got 63 hours for 9 days of work or 84 hours for 12 days of actual work. If I snagged a NGO or two during the month just bump those hours up by 5-10 hours for the same number of days worked. On the reserve side, I never flew more than 9 days in a month, many months it was 0-3 days. If you live close enough to sit SC at your house, your pay/day of actual work (ie...putting on a uniform) can be quite low.

crewdawg

If you've never flown in a WB international category (aside from the ER), then you owe it to yourself to try it out. It's by far the best part time job I ever had. If I hadn't been displaced last year, I may have stayed on it until I could move over to the left seat. When people say it's like working for an entirely different airline, they're not kidding. If you live within SC range, it's the best QOL you can ever get. Outside of what we're seeing right now due to covid, the trips are great and rarely change. Your scheduling flexibility is pretty awesome and when you sit reserve, you pretty much can always predict when you'll fly and what trip it will be. The 3/4-pilot crews are awesome and if you're lucky enough to fly with former Pan-AM FAs, it's even better.

The downsides. Body clock stuff...some guys say it's a non-issue, but they're lying to themselves. It is most definitely an issue, even if you've "figured out your body clock." The phone call in the bunk after your 1:40 minute break and your alarm going off in the hotel after a 4 hours "nap" (when you just want to sleep 8) are painful. The 0200 wakeup you'll experience nearly every night in Europe can be painful as well...for me it was 50/50 whether I got back to sleep right away. You can mitigate it no doubt, but it still takes a toll. Sleep is ALWAYS a topic of discussion. I wanted to leave after the first few months because I was wrecked. I did figure out what worked for me, but I have to avoid 6 days trips...that takes some willing to gamble a low month and scheduling flexibility. Many guys will tell you how much better they felt after a month or so of not flying international trips anymore. I'd recommend the book Why we Sleep by Matt Walker. Something to consider for sure. Aside from sleep, the biggest down side (for us northerners) is the distinct lack of warm weather layovers in the winter. I missed those layovers to break up the dreary winters.

I passed up reinstatement in favor of NB A in my current fleet. However, that was more about doing something different (while still getting the pay) and actually enjoying this 1 time zone thing. Also, I expect my category to go away in the next few years, so I know there will likely be a displacement soon which will give me the option to go pretty much anywhere. I can see myself going back to WB B down the road, especially when I have a bit more seniority to ensure weekends and holidays off.

172skychicken

I forgot about NGO. That's a pretty gucci trip. My point was just that it seems like it would be very fleet and base dependent. If all you can hold are 3 day or 6 day Europe out of an East coast base, your pay per day likely isn't higher. No arguments with the reserve life living in base. I can totally see how that would be one of the best deals at the company.

20Fathoms

Ya I suppose I should have specified that I bid reserve. I’m in base now, but even when I commuted to WB reserve in LAX my pay per day will eclipse even ER captain pay per day simply because of less days worked. That’s assuming I get used pretty much every day on the ER of course, but from what I hear all the NB fleets are whipped pretty hard these days.

m3113n1a1

I have considered bidding widebody for the low reserve utilization. I'd love to just be used a few days a month...but I always back out because I feel like the moment that I decide to bid it is when Delta will optimize staffing and widebody reserve utilization will sky rocket.

Forgotmyhat

It’s all about working the PWA! I was about 88% 7ERB just before Covid. I bid reserve for the time off. I flew 8 LEGS between 1 Oct 19 and Covid. Had Xmas/thanksgiving/New Years all off. When I was on the MD, I was snagging 1-2 LCA trips and getting called off every month...at around 70%. You gotta learn how to be a PWA/iCrew ninja! Get good enough and seniority or equipment doesn’t matter.

Edit: This was all without MLOA or sick-out shenanigans.

jaxsurf

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DeltaboundRedux

You and me both.

"You Too Can Have a Great Schedule---Ask Me How!"

cadetcolin

Somewhat on this topic. Does anyone have 330 bid packet for NYC in 2019?