You're missing the point entirely. Junior guys on RES complain about the RAW system because they get spanked every weekend (not enough pilots). My point is that it's not so much the RAW system but the staffing on weekends that has these guys flying so much.

Sorry for trying to be insightful into a more junior pilots situation who works more than me. I'll stop immediately and be less considerate of junior folks.:rolleyes:

Gotta agree with this and other posts in response to tumbleweed's post.

While I disagree on the ALV+15 (and increase in ALV for lineholders) and 7th short call, there have been improvements as of late via SOT changes and the contract.

i don't mind the raw system and i can live with the bucket system but the buckets are too large and short calls need to be hitched to the buckets and no their own entity.

this month, Ive got about 36 hours but still in bucket 1. on my next availability I'll be in the top give or so, shop I'll probably fly another trip and finally be in bucket 2... but then I'll owe 3 short calls, which I've asked for all month and never got. but if i get a 4 day off a sc then i get a 75 hour month in. far far more than i bet anyone junior or senior to me will get, and that's with all weekends off.

reduce the buckets, couple short calls, and stop doing it by hand. i get very tired of requesting 1800, 1930, and1400 and being the most senior pilot assigned sc but getting 0500 and having to call and get it fixed. at least they always apologize.

Because for a decade I heard every burp, snort, gum smack, and "um" from my flatulent First Officers and darned if I want to spend the next decade hearing the same from my Captains.

A little peace is nice. If the "Old Man" wants something, he'll yell at me ... otherwise I'm free to "monitor" while contemplating serious topics like, who has better boobs ... Megan Fox, or Jennifer Anniston ... ? Meanwhile he can think about his retirement plans and who had better boobs ... Grace Kelly or Marylin ... ?

(just kidding, most of my Captains are able to get the attention of hotter chicks than I can)

He11 yeah! Those jr guys and all their gripping! Sure gets old. Don't they know they're lucky to be in that right seat for 20 years?

Tell me one captain of a widebody who had to do 20 years in the right seat with the company. There's your perspective.

When the situation is what it is, the senior guy who says that needs to understand the landscape has changed. I know pilots are by and large narcissist, but the guy who makes that statement you referred to needs to clue in.

I don't know about your category, but in my category it's not the staffing over weekends. It's simply that the most open time exists over the weekend. In fact, in the slow months that's typically the only open time available. Increasing staffing over the weekend won't prevent the junior guys from getting spanked. They'll still get the trips first until they reach RAW Group 2, while the senior guys sit around watching CFB.

Interesting thought.. but I highly doubt it. He's a good man, and is doing a pretty good job at Duke. hmmmmm though... it is an interesting suggestion that I have not heard.

It's all our fault.

I don't get apologies, I get "It's a request (i.e. we don't have to honor it)." But they do change it for me when I call them on it.

Don't worry. They'll send it back and get anything above 50 seats, better pay, full retro, better work rules, and first class crew meals on every flight. ;)