You might just try calling a scheduler and ask the question. If you're not satisfied ask for a manager and it may get cleared up today. It could be a simple mistake.

 

New line holder here. I only have 67 credits for next month and want to pick up more flying. Is white slip in the PCS menu the only way? What are my options and how do I do it? (Total newbie)

 

There's also the SwapBoard. It's a great option if you're junior because seniority is not a factor: right time, right place and the trip is instantaneously yours.

 

White slipping is one way to pick up more time...but for trips further out than next/same day pairings they are only awarded during pcs runs. These start on the morning of the 20th for next month. Be aware you may only white slip up to the pickup limit (usually alv +15) and trips are awarded via senority. You put in a WS request in "pcs-slip requests-white slip in base". Make sure to select the correct month in the slip pull down menu. You may request specific trip numbers or put in generic requests that meet your preferences such as report time or layover cities. Pretty self explanatory once you get in the template. There is a help menu button that is worth a read.

Another (better?) way is the pcs swap board pickup. This is when someone has a trip and wishes to give it away to another pilot. These are first come first serve and are placed on your line as soon as you click accept. These go active as soon as schedules are released in icrew, so no waiting until the 20th and no alv +15 limit applies, only FAR's. You can find these under "schedules-icrew swap board-search existing postings". Search for pick ups only and read the comments on the trips you wish to pick up. Some will say to just pick it up and do not contact. Click on one of those and its yours.

Of course if your category is short and you feel like gambling there is always the green slip option. Only awarded for same day/next day and then only after white slips and reserves are exhausted. Also be aware that double pay does not kick in until you hit your green slip trigger (find that on your timecard). If that is the case you have a few options on how to boost your hours to the trigger...either white slip/swap board beyond the trigger or you may use up to 5 hours from your bank to help out.

 

I'm not discounting APC as a resource, but this is one of the reasons we have poured big resources into the Mentor program. He/she will be able to walk you through setting up your slips.

Yes, WS and picking up a swap board trip are the main ways of accomplishing what you're asking. WSs for next month won't begin processing until the 20th 0700 PCS run. Look at 23.E of the PWA for the order in which PCS processes requests.

Also of note, swap board pick-ups can be done now. They are handled outside of the PCS process.

 

One more quick option, don't discount the ability to "upgrade" your current trips. If your junior there is a good chance the trips awarded are some of the lesser desirable trips in the pack. You may be able to use swap with the pot to trade for a better and higher paying trip. For example, junior 3-days usually pay the minimum 15:45. If you can swap that with a 3-day that pays 17:00, you just gained an extra 1:15 for working the same days.

If your a commuter, you could try to pull something like trading a non-commutable 3-day for a commutable 4-day. Gain another 5:15 for being away from home the same number of days.

If you get lucky you may be able to add 5 or more hours to your line without working any more days. Swap with the pot is located at"pcs-swap with pot", once again be sure to select the correct month. They are processed during the normal pcs runs and are not subject to alv+15 limits.

 

Awesome tips, thank you! Where do you see the trips for the PCS swap with the pot? Is it just the trips in open time that it's looking at? I assume the advantage of putting a request in via swap with pot is you aren't restricted to ALV plus 15? Otherwise no advantage right if you're just looking to pickup a trip?

 

Yes same pool of trips.
Yes limit doesn't apply.
Trading one trip(s) for another(s) if reserve limited is the only way you can since you can't drop without reserve coverage.

PSA for new guys: if your trying to drop a trip over reserve limited days make sure you also post it to the icrew swap board for the most success as a pilot can then pick it up over alv+15 limit where they wouldn't be able to as a white slip unless they had already reduced their schedules.

 

As full of luv stated, the swap with pot is for trading a trip you already have for a trip in open time. There is always a lot of behind the scenes churn that happens during pcs runs, especially the first couple on the 20th. So just because you don't see a trip in the pot does not mean it may not come available in the middle of the run. For example, a senior guy may get awarded a trip drop, that trip is now available for swap/white slip throughout the rest of the pcs run, even though it never shows in open time.

Swap with the pot also allows "wildcard swaps" This allows you to trade a trip you have for ANY trip that comes available. These are inputted as a * followed by the number of day trip you want. Example...to swap for any 4-day on the 15th you would input "*4 15may". Very useful if you need a specific day off, but don't want to use a drop or want to trade a shorter trip for a longer one. However, use these with caution as it will award ANY trip that comes open meeting the criteria even those you don't see in the middle of pcs runs.

Once again it is pretty easy once you look at the template and read through the help menu.

 

Just talked to them. They can use 23k but I have no recovery. Made them note that in my remarks as a backup.