Well, Johnson had a better chance of being a line holder again had he stayed on the 320. My point is for most people it is a choice. You must not be that senior, or you might not want to commute.(NYC MD88 might work for you) That is a choice too. Eventually people will retire and people will move up to line holder or stay reserve for some reason.

Instead of everyone getting upset, understand that I was just pointing out that some of the loudest people on this board are reserves, and they have their wants and needs. I accept that. I also want people to know that there is a life beyond reserve, a better life if you want it. It will be your choice to decide if you want to go after the larger plane, or commute for a better schedule. Don't look at everything as a reserve only, because someday you may not be one. That's my point.

We can't?? Always prepares me for an approach after flying all night. ;)

Ok, that's true, but please don't look at reserve as a "temporary" short-term place for pilots. I don't think many would count the 320 as a "senior" airplane but johnso would be on reserve on it. I have just over 4 years and I would just be on the bubble on the 320.

Our point is that when a fair percentage (some categories 20-25%) are on reserve and for some, a decent percentage of their careers are going to be on reserve, lets make the reserve rules less onerous.

I should be asking my reps this, but where is it stated that the company can take you up to ALV+15 without your consent while on reserve? I just went over it again and it says a reserve is full at reserve garuntee?

Also, has there been any further guidance on on whether we pick the higher reserve days off and lower garuntee, or whether the company determines it?

Question for those on RESERVE
 

Has anyone noticed a severe uptick in being used while on reserve since the change to the new bucket system?

I am junior in category and as such I am a reserve pilot. But I am also a junior reserve pilot. I fear this is not the place to be with the new system.

Last month, I had a carry over trip which flowed into the beginning of the month. Then I was called out on two shortcalls for a two day and a four day trip. Then I was assigned two other four day trips. I also had two days of military leave. None of these trips were in open time. There was no open time haha.

Already for this month, on my first day available which was a short call, I was called in for a two day trip and now I'm back to sitting another Shortcall.

I am a newbie with sitting reserve since I have almost always been a lineholder prior to this. But even the few times I did sit reserve, I was never used like this. Never.

Am I crazy? Unlucky? Lucky because this always happens in your base/category? Is this happening to others?

Thanks.

It could be unlucky...sounds like it. Note which days of the week you got the trips on. There could be a pattern there.

It could be an uptick in summer flying? Doesn't sound like it.

If the trips were never in open time, then someone may have sicked out short notice...on all of them.

You can call scheduling (during a slow part of their day) and they can give you the answers to the questions of why they were never in open time.

I think the notion reserve is a choice is a bit overstated. That said, there are some pilots that choose in base reserve to achieve a better quality of life than holding a bottom feeder line.

Forcing a reservist to fly potentially near 100 hours/month is ridiculous no matter how you spin it. Again, it just removes an option that some (obviously not Bill Lumberg who is gunning for only his own gains) find usefull in crafting their best quality of life.

Lets keep as many tools (not that kind of tool) available to Delta pilots to tailor their quality of life as possible and not write off one particular option/group simply because it doesn't apply to other groups.

We are sort of reading between the lines. And with no contract language.

What people are saying (and I agree) is this: say the ALV is 76. You're sitting at 74 hours. Since the company can take you up to ALV+15 (91 hours), at 74 hours you haven't reached the guarantee, so you aren't "full" and still available for trips. They could assign you a trip for say, 15 hours, taking you to 90, without your consent.

Right now, the language reads that you can't be assigned a trip that takes you over the ALV. So, presently if you are under with a couple of hours of the ALV you are usually done for the month.

My goal with this PWA is to get PAID MORE while WORKING LESS. Now working less may have different meanings to everyone but to me (to eliminate a discussion about commuting vs. home base) I am "on the clock and working" from sign in to sign out (1/2 hour after last landing). I should be paid an appropriate amount for block hours, TAFB, trip rig, duty rig, etc to make sure that my time away from home is productive for me financially. If the company elects to have me fly few block hours (10.5 hour three days) it is up to us to make sure that is the companies choice and we are properly compensated and it's not so financially favorable for the company to do so. I should be able to fly a full domestic schedule (ALV of 72 hours) in 12-13 days a month - very difficult to do so if a lot of trips are 10.5 hour 3 days (or even 12-13 hour 3 day/ 17 hour 4 day) - this needs to be fixed. Also, this 3:15/day credit only vacations, 3:15/day for training, 3:1 training CQ/pay all contribute to not being properly compensated for my work.

Four things you should know:

1. Reserve is always a choice.
2. Reserve is just getting good now. Wait until you get to fly almost 100 hours a month on reserve. The upside, you will be forced to retire early because your health will decline more quickly. Kiss seeing your family goodbye as well.
3. The changes that are being negotiated for are part of a big victory taking place because we have leverage and its imperative we get the new contract done quickly or we will lose out on a huge opportunity forever. The next offer will "not be as good" so best take this one.
4. Getting more work out of the worker bees is one way the company is going to make 3 billion net per year. Health and quality of life of pilots will take a back seat to that.

Just vote no.