In theory, that COULD work. In practice, it never does. They call you at 6:00 PM for the 6:00 sign in and voila...you're out of position.
Suck it up, get a crash pad and commute in the day before.

Or better yet, just take the 717 to NYC and when you end up finishing OE, you'll wonder why you even asked that question as you hold a line at 69% as an FO there.

Good luck!

DODO

 

It's entirely plausible but it's completely dependent on your commute city pair, the frequency of Delta flights, and your base and equipment. The commuter policy requires the second flight to be Delta or Delta Connection.

My experience with sitting LC at home was very positive. I have 11 mainline flights a day and about 95% of the time I'd get trips a full 24 hours before report time. Only once in 9 months of reserve did I get a 12 hour call out. You can use Yellow slips to help control your life and commute. They don't always work but you will have the ability to at least make the LC from home work.

In all honesty, if this is your first 121 gig and since you'll be on probation for a while, I wouldn't take any big risks until you get comfortable with the commute and the reserve process.

 

Solid advice above in my truncated requote of TNDelta's comments. My experience has been different due to city pair. Take note of the second paragraph above. Know what you're doing, and when the rubber meets the road, you'd best be complying with the commute policy (i.e. the second and DELTA controlled option could still bring you to sign-in in time.) YMMV, but if you're new, my advice is to suck up the pain while on probation before you test those waters. Again, YMMV.

 

I don't have the exact verbiage in front of me but I believe there are two different policies regarding commuters. One in the PWA and one in the FOM. The one that gets you a seat on the second flight is in the FOM I believe and requires the second flight to be Delta or Delta Connection. The one in the PWA is the one that just keeps you from getting in trouble as long as you had a decent plan and it just went south. Maybe a more seasoned commuter can chime in here.

Bottom line is, before you make any big decisions, know both the clauses cold and plan accordingly.

When I was commuting to reserve in ATL last Fall, I was able to use yellow slips to keep things fairly predictable. I would usually get a 4 day trip and be notified at 8AM the day prior to report. Won't always work, but for me it did.

 

Here is the PWA verbiage. Notice it says online or offline and does not mention positive space seat on the second flight. Notice also that despite your commuter protections, you don't want to make a habit of missing your sign in.



A commuting pilot who travels to his base by air will not be eligible for treatment under Section 23 Y. 2. unless he has attempted to travel on at least two flights (on and/or off line) that: a. show adequate actual seat availability within 24 hours of the departure, considering
the pilot’s seniority and the normal load factor of the flight; or, on which the pilot has a jumpseat reservation, b. are scheduled to arrive at his base at a reasonable time before his scheduled report, and c. are separated by at least two hours.
4. It is expected that a pilot will avail himself of Section 23 Y. 2. on a rare basis.
5. A pilot who has demonstrated a pattern of inability to report as scheduled will be subject to progressive disciplinary action.

 

Thanks for the info. Last time I sat reserve we only had a 90 call out with no long call option.

 

What are the usual layover locations for NYC based MD88s?

 

What are the RAP times for long call? What's the latest they could call you?

 

You're on LC for 24 hours a day. All they need to give you is the 12 hour notice.

SC has published times.

 

More often than not long calls are handled around 10am the previous day; however, WX, MX, and sick-outs can radically change that formula. As a probationary commuter on reserve, I felt it was necessary to be present in my domicile during any LC or SC periods.