Recollection is as soon as you pay the 50, and have family names in travelnet. Buddy passes take a year, but family is pretty much immediate.

We used a bunch year one, good benny

Don't ever feel "guilty" about not flying on reserve...or for that matter making a ton of $$ via "rolling thunder" if you are in a critically undermanned category.

We have a very complex airline with lots of bases and fleet types. We are the universal opposite of SWA. While some mgmt teams would not be able to handle such a mix, our current team embraces it, and lets face it, does a great job generating a lot of revenue with our model. They like our model and WANT our model.

But, due to all that there will never be a time where every category at every base is ideally manned. It is impossible. So there will always be categories (yours for example) where reserves don't fly a whole lot and enjoy the reserve guarantee for staying home, and others (ATL 7ERB and NYC 73NB this summer) where the reserves are literally flying every GS they can possibly get, getting payback days, etc etc.

So never "chase" a category based on a "good deal" (however you define it) because by the time you train and convert to that category it will likely be different...but enjoy it without hesitation when you find yourself in the midst of one.

Had same situation this spring. Oe planner, although a pain to talk to, did say they honor vaca in the oe period unless it would require another trip to Trng due to delays etc. So in my exp yes. Have a great vaca!

There are no "B" LCPs, nor will there ever be. An AQFO, of LVP, whatever they are calling it, cannot bust a captain. Worst case, if you are doing a special airport or theater qual, the captain may not get signed off, but that is not an unsat.

As soon as I got to training and found out how long the OE delay was, I moved my vacation into Feb and Mar. I figured I was going to be sitting at home anyway and didn't want to burn vacation days doing it. Give the Pilot Support Center (or whatever they're calling it these days) a call and see what your options are.

Been 3 weeks now since I finished the sims and over 2 months since I put on a uniform and generated money for da man.......life is good

Ferd

Delta stock up over 51 today and climbing... It's a great day to be an executive! The stock buybacks are enriching mahogany row as if they just put the cash in their pockets... no wonder they only had a nickel left for us!

For anyone who is considering this..... Do NOT choose to commute between MSP -DTW argghhhhhh!!!!! was on the SECOND the clock hit to book JS and all Jumpseats from when I get in until the last flight, gone. So frustrating.

Hub to hub commuting generally ill advised and seldom worth it. Hope an opening in your home base opens up soon.

Even though you're on probation, if you have a sick grandparent; call the CPSC or Chief Pilot's office. They can authorize passes for your family.

Yes I already got the award, I cannot wait to not commute anymore! Unfortunately I got bumped out a few years ago.