a yellow slip on off days (the only way to do this) pays straight pay TOWARD guarantee. Seems stupid to work for free, though…except you can use it to fill up. I filled up as of yesterday by YSing on off days and now don’t work the holiday.

 

Thanks. I’m trying to ask all of my stupid questions up front as I learn this reserve system.

 

Just be aware that generally it is hard to get a RES YS on your of days as that step is pretty far down the trip coverage ladder. They’re more common in very short staffed categories obviously, but kind of like green slips they can come and go month to month.

 

A YS isn't just for "filling up" or always even for building towards guarantee. Many pilots YS trips just to increase control of their schedules. Especially in obvious cases where you know you're going to get something, so you preference the least worst something you see at the time. That could result in a favorable report or release time, an opportunity to deviate from a DH, get a nice layover somewhere (maybe even at home), avoid a redeye, get a redeye, easier trip etc. There may be great reasons to YS a trip even if there's zero chance to increase pay/hours. There may be a few cases where YS'ing a trip that starts on a day off is better for you (commute, DH DV opportunity, layover, etc) even when you won't make a minute more pay.

 

It's also important to be aware that if your timing is bad enough, your YS only apply within RUO. You might fly on your off days and still never be able to fill up.

 

Unless you were already going to have to work that much, it seems like a lot of work just to get a particular day off. Just move the day you celebrate and don't work so hard.

 

Tough if you celebrate with extended family since not everyone lives by my schedule. Plus, how would we ruin our meal by watching the Lions lose if we celebrate on a different day?

Maybe we should move our celebration…

 

That's easy, just pop in the 97 game and pretend it's live. Wow Barry can run!

 

What happens to your schedule after OE? Do you get to bid for that time or do you get a filler schedule assigned until you are eligible to bid for the following month?

 

You'll actually bid for your schedule during the normal bid process. You'll have a "shadow period" of days where everything put on your line during that period is just for pay purposes, but is dropped back into the pot for others to bid. Everything after your shadow period will stay and you'll work them as scheduled as long as you're done with OE. I think there were some scheduling updates sent out by the union with some good information, but it's nearly impossible to quickly find anything in the union website and I'm not finding it right now.

Most guys try to stuff as much of their schedule into the shadow period as possible. Meaning they find the highest time trips and bid those and try to find a 5 day that starts on the last day of the shadow bid period. Even though only the first day of the trip touches the shadow period, it's all dropped with pay.