Guys,

I convert to M88A on Aug 31. I start training on 9/2 and finish on 9/12. My calendar doesn't show any "shadow" days. I watched the PBS video about bidding in a training month but looking to see if there are any "creative" ways to bid to maximize $, or time off. I'm going to be 3 from the bottom so looking at reserve indefinitely going forward. Obviously the last half of Sept will be IOE, but not sure how to approach the bid.

See some really old buildings. Drink some great wine. The pizza isn't bad either. Eat it with a fork. And have some wine with it.

Italy is easy to get around, but you can spend several days in Rome by itself. If you take a train you can go to pretty much any other city in Italy(which gives you options for getting home. MXP, VCE and even PSA might have seats) I haven't been there in years, but IIRC, it is tough to get out of Rome in the summer. There are tons of things to see. I'll see if I can find my old gouge and send you a PM.


Oh, and don't forget the gelato. And did I mention wine?

Similar situation. Pretty hard to bid around the shadow period when you don't know when it ends.

Just bid reserve and days off.

You can get a general idea from the type of qual. First time Captains and int'l categories will probably need at least 10 days, if not more. Look to "maximize" your bidding in the first 10 days or so after training and those trips will drop for either OE or not being qual'd.

Agree. That said, knowing the last day makes a big difference, especially since my training ends the 2nd.

If you put in a bid for a line then try to get as many days of flying in on the shadow days (don't know why they're not showing up on your calendar...might need to inquire about that). Try and get a trip that starts on the last day of your shadow period and has as much time as possible: You get paid for it and it is dropped. You then get credit for all the trips you had in the shadow period, and no credit for the trips you do during OE, unless the OE trips turn out to be worth more than what you had dropped from the shadow period.

For your reserve bid just put as many reserve days in the shadow period.

Lodging: If it is a family, get an apartment thru airbnb,vrbo,etc. You can get an apartment for what one nice hotel room costs a night and much closer to the action. We stayed 2 blocks from the coliseum for $150/night, two bedroom apartment.

Guides: Rick Steves is the guy. Free audio tours. Best tips: Buy Vatican tickets in advance online and skip the normally HUGE line. Buy a 3 day Roma pass for all public transportation and entrance to three attractions, and get to skip the huge lines for the coliseum (or buy your ticket at the forum which has shorter lines, the ticket is good for both) Pantheon.. my favorite building in Rome and its free. Must sees: Colosium, Forum, Pantheon, Fountains, Vatican, Piazzas, Secondary must sees: Museums Churches, Catacombs, Aqua duct park, Ositica Antica,..many others depending on your preferences.

Day Trip..Ositca Antica..a mini Pompei. your Roma pass provides free train out to this site. It is OK if you have a free half day, I would not sacrifice any of the must sees for this, and it can be very hot in the summer. Orvieto: classic hill town about 1.5 hours from Rome. Pompeii is actually doable in a day but really long day. If you have time for an overnight get away, my first choice would be Amalfi coast.

Sorry for spelling and format, Hook

I spoke to C. from ALPA who almost always has the good poop. The company has until 1800 est on the 4th to post the information to be in compliance with the contract. That said if you're burning to know, he can see the background information which we cannot see, and he was able to tell me my shadow footprint.

That's good gouge, also be VERY careful about pick pockets / gypsies.