Trips are assigned first, then SC’s, so if you are junior and in the lowest buckets you are likely to get a trip before they hand out the first SC. Volunteering for SC will not help this.

I would never “waive” your 1000 first-day protection by volunteering for an early first-day SC, unless it’s for a really good (to you) reason.

As a reserve by choice bidder, I find if you are not given a trip, it’s typical to get a SC on the first day of a reserve stretch. Though Second day SC’s can and do happen, especially if it’s a longer stretch of Reserve than the minimum for your category . Remember that before you can get your 3+ SC, all others in your RAW bucket have to have been given 2 first. It’s not common, but they’ve been known to miss that/screw that up.

if you decide to do an “if needed” slip for a trip or SC, remember that is not optional for CS to honor it. It’s exactly like a YS for the trip. CS MUST consider that if you would have been used. The PWA, SRH, and Scheming Alerts are all binding for CS. However, I have been the victim missing a group of trips, only to have a late add to Open Time which tagged me. It initially appeared they ignored the “if needed”, but when I called, they explained what really happened. Oh well, win some, lose some. If in doubt, call and respectfully ask “why”.
Good luck.

 

Quoted for awesomeness.

 

Bold part is not correct....from the SRH: "RAW value is not considered when assigning short-call periods."

SRH also says:

"Pilots will be grouped by days of availability. Within each “days of availability” grouping, pilots will be further divided into groups by the number of short-call periods credited in the bid period, as follows:
• Short-Call Group 1 = 0-1 short-call credits
• Short-Call Group 2 = at least 2, but fewer than the maximum permitted number of short-call credits
• Short-Call Group 3 = at least the maximum permitted number of short-call credits

During major IROPS it is possible that a pilot could be given their 2nd (or more) short call assignment
while other pilots in the same short-call group have less. As long as ALL reserves are on short call in
the same short-call group this is allowed."

SRH page 80.

 

Thanks for the correction. Days of Availability, not RAW bucket.

 

The SRH says "Long call pilots are: ... Are not required to acknowledge any assignments." What does that mean, practically speaking?

 

that means if they call you and leave you a voicemail of your assignment you are required to report for that assignment (as long as it’s legal) but are not required to call them back or log into icrew to acknowledge

 

Ok, thanks! I figured it was probably that simple, but being a dummy newb I thought it made sense to ask anyway.

 

I just attempted to YS a Volunteer Airport Assignment (VAS) for tomorrow. I had already been assigned SC for a period of time that would overlap the VAS. The Noon PCS run has executed and the assignment is still in open time, can I assume that I’m not legal for it due to the previously assigned SC or is there something else I’m missing?

 

Its all new so who knows. I didn’t even know they showed up in open time. Frankly I’m surprised they’ve even offered them. Based on the trip coverage ladder they seem to have limited benefit to the company.

 

The whole point of VAS was to greatly reduce reroutes.

I have yet to see a single one show up in my open time.