Many times it works in your favor so I’d prefer the process stays manual.

Payback Day Usage
 

I have a good number of PB days in the bank that I’d like to get maximum value from. I have a four-day trip in Dec. where day one of the trip blocks just over 8 hours. From what I understand, I can drop that trip and apply a PB day for just day one. Ideally, I’d like to drop, pick up, drop, pick up, etc. over and over to use up all my PB days. However, adequate reserve coverage and white slip pick up limits would preclude me from doing this, right? I’ve heard there may be a workaround for this by having a friend pick up/swap. Scheduling Alert 22-01 Payback Days states:

“Recall that, if you wish to use PB Days to drop a rotation(s) on which there is insufficient reserve coverage and you do not wish to use your APD or an IVD, you may submit both a PB
Day and a PD request for the same rotation(s). If another pilot subsequently is awarded the resulting Qualified Personal Drop (QPD) rotation, your PD request will be awarded. You can
then use the SmartSheet on the Crew Resources/Scheduling page in DeltaNet to request that a PB Day(s) be placed over the dropped rotation(s).”

How does this process actually work? How does the other pilot pick up the trip, and how do I pick it back up? Is this done through PCS? Are there any downsides for the other pilot in helping you out? E.g. When they pick up the trip, does that count against their WS pick up limit? Anyone in LAX73NB that can help me out?

Thank you for your help.

Never done it myself so take it with a grain of salt but I believe you have the process correct. Your buddy will white slip your Q trip via PCS. He is subject to white slip limits to do this. After you do the smart sheet magic, he gives it back to you via the pilot swap board which disregards your non-FAA limits and reduces his WS limits back to their original state. Rinse, repeat, toast to buying the good scotch.

You don’t need to do the smart sheet magic anymore. They updated iCrew such that when you put in your PB with PD request, you simply tell it how many PB days you would like to use if it drops. They anlso upped the limit from 2 to 10 events on a day (Hey, progress!!). When the friend picks it up as a Q trip, it processes automatically. The easiest way to get it back to repeat the process is via MiCrew friends. You can either pull it back, or he can push it back. It’s super easy. There was an epic example last year where a 765 FO did this to the tune of 999 hours of credit in one MONTH.

I’m not sure about the WS limit resetting when the trip goes back. I thought the WS limit only went one way, but I’m not an expert on that part. But if that IS a problem (finding a friend with enough WS pickup limit), you can look in the wide report for someone with vacation in the month (because vacay doesn’t count against WS pickup limit) and cold-call them asking for help. 99% chance they will happily do so. A case of beer/handle of scotch would be appropriate. And it’s all 100% legal. Good luck.

Find someone who's schedule is open and can "pick up" the trip for you. I've done this several times. You can take it back via pilot swap board. I've done this where both pilots can cash in PBs but one of you will eventually hit the pick up limit.

it helps if your trading partner is very senior so some other knucklehead doesn’t pick up the trip you’re trying to bounce back and forth.

I haven't had that problem, yet. I coordinate before the PCS run but a blind WS could mess it up. The other pilot always puts in a request for the specific trip and there's no way for others to know what or when you are going to PD/PB. Most of the blind WS from seniors are day of fishing for assignment violations.

Sweet baby jesus

Wow, hadn't heard of this one. Do you know if his sched got posted anywhere? Would love to see it....

Do you know/recall how many PBs it took to do that??


Nope--WS limit sets & resets itself in real time as stuff gets added/dropped from your line.

His timecard was posted somewhere.. pretty sure I saved it. I'll look and see if I can find it deep in my phone 😂