Well said. The final point is that because you're flying and working in the beginning of the month, all at pay above guarantee on days off (but you get those days off back after your trip), by the time you reach the middle of the month, you are "full" for the month, and still have all your days off. So basically, you've worked 80 hours above guarantee (about), so add that to guarantee (75ish) and get 155 hrs of pay, for 15 days worked. You do need to be more senior in category, and completely flexible on working for the first two weeks, but it's an excellent way to get lots of pay for working a typical schedule.

 

This post from Shiznit was from 2014, but I saved it as a favorite so I could refer back to it often. It is one of the best explanations on working the game that is Rolling Thunder and Payback Day trip dropping at Delta: (Start reading at the "Example:")
Stay at EK or go to UAL?

 

I’d add that new hires should manage their expectations of being able to do this. It’s very much easier said than done, especially at low seniority

 

100% agree. Requires maximum flexibility. Works best if you are not a commuter. Can work for low seniority pilots if reserve coverage is really bad, but seniority definitely helps.

 

Thank you all for the explanations. Even if it's not doable as a NH, it's very appealing that it's an option down the road.

 

it’s a very feast-or-famine strategy. The number of people who consistently roll thunder to 180+ credit throughout the year is very, very low

 

Did you end up flying most days on reserve in NY or did you still need to get a crashpad/hotels?

 

Everyone always thinks rolling thunder is only for the senior and if you can't get all your days off in a row at the beginning of the month then all hope is lost.

But the junior can easily move many days off towards the end of the month, and they'll be "senior" for their first (and maybe second and third, etc) GS's before the seniors will because the seniors already got a bunch. Plus, and this is the key, all the PB days will then go into the bank which can be used to strategically block you from most trips in a subsequent month...unless they, too, are a GS.

If a category is slammed and GS's are pretty common, but you're not getting them because you're junior, flipping the script is an easy way to cut in line. You just have to work hard for no extra money the first 2-3 weeks for a month or three. Once you get it going though, it's just as lucrative as the seniors. You also have to evaluate what GS's you want and when and compare that to what's available. Sometimes the best thing a junior pilot can do is pass on a particular GS (shorter ones, early releases, etc) and let the seniors gobble them up, which only makes you more senior for later, much more lucrative ones.

The key to all that isn't precise bidding or knowing how to code PBS/PCS. The key is psychology. You will need to be flexibile and your family will need to understand you will need to be flexibile. Once you get it going, you will be working less days and making way more. In the trough months you can drop sporadic reserve days to the point where you're hardly working at all.

The system is very accessable to almost everyone when staffing is tight.

 

I think the bolder part is incorrect, if all the flying is done only on xdays. I think you get pay above guarantee but no credit towards guarantee, i.e. you can’t fill up solely on GSs?

PWA 23.U.1.b.2

 

Hrk, you are correct.

However, I think his point is that true rolling thunder will negate all your Res days with the PB days. He did misuse “Full” though. Lots of GS will make getting “Full” impossible.