I really think the Reserve system is one of the key areas we must clean up in the next contract, and that we need a true LC option, and a SC option that rewards people with more pay or more days off for being more available. I also believe we should bid for these.

But until it is fixed, I'm pretty sure nothing needs to be "clarified". People that set themselves up to where it's their turn to fly, but cannot meet their obligations (LC or SC) are screwing the person that will be called out to cover them. This isn't a "commuting is a choice" debate. This is about rules that are explicit, and about pilots that gamble on their ability to meet obligations.

I don't really care if you play roulette. I cover when you **** it up. But don't expect your gambling habits to be ignored by Delta, or your fellow pilots. A company would be pretty stupid to allow for "unuseable" Reserves.

So I think that ATL CP told you what you wanted to hear, or you heard what you wnated to hear. When I got hired, there were was any "wink-wink-nod-nod-you're-on-Reserve-but-we're-OK-if-don't-show" kind of a thing. And I bet there isn't now.

...and the Australians already approved it in December.

Stupid pencil-wipping Aussies! I guess they just don't do their homework as thoroughly as LaHood and the Boys. I hope you're all thankful too, for having such a crack-team over at DOT... (deep sigh).

Problem there is it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to determine if you're the next guy in line to fly. The reserve availability list is completely useless, as it shows guys who are not only on long call but also guys who are finishing a trip and won't even be legal for an assignment.

Not to mention the physics degree required to understand the reserve utilization order. Maybe that's just me though. :o

Well, it's probably not just you... there are plenty of people that are frustrated trying to gauge when they might be called next. THAT should be improved as well.

I don't disagree that the Reserve System is sub-par. I just disagree with Reserve pilots thinking they're not... or that someone else (like... a Reserve) should always be available to cover for their poor planning.

But I recall the list comes with a disclaimer about obligations, and my point is that a Reserve pilot that puts themselves in a position to be surprised when they're called out (an unpleasant situation to be sure), and unable to cover their own obligation as a result, is shifting their obligation to another pilot as a result. That's basic, pure logic: if you can't do your job, either someone else will have to, or it won't get done. Neither is an acceptable outcome.

When I first heard of the UAL/CAL merger, I wasn't happy because I liked that DAL was the big dog. Now I realize how much of a target we are not only to our competition but also to the government. In order for us to continue to grow, I think we need the UAL/CAL merger or our own government is going to keep knocking us down. That is until two more years go by.

Yes, I agree with this. I sit long call at home, but over the weekend I go into base because FedEx and UPS aren't available to me on the weekends.

^^^^^

It's not just you. We need a true reserve availability list that shows who is available and what times they are available along with their last assignment. We also need to be able to see that list for more than just two days. Everywhere else I've worked had a reserve availability list that showed every day of the month.

On the LC thing. At JetBlue the guys sit LC at home no matter where they live. When they get an assignment they discuss with scheduling the feasability of them making it to their base. If they have missed the last flight that will get them there, then they are not liable for the trip. Most guys had a note on their contact info that would tell scheduling of any "blackout" periods that might effect an assignment. I knew lots of guys based in JFK that sat LC at home in California.

Fatty, I agree. I'm just fine with not being the Worlds Largest Airline. UAL/CAL can have it, although I think our fleet will still be bigger.

Unless of course our getting picked on has less to do with our big-dog status than our poor pedigree, or our poor political skills. It's extremely fashionable, at the DOT, to be "Chicago-based" right now.

This isn't a point about politics in general, but about association and connections. It's AMR and UAL's trun to have pictures of the right people naked, I suppose.

That's all I'm arguing for/about. As we wait to change the Reserve System, we nonetheless do our job, and assume our own obligations.