If I see a trip I like a day before a reserve line starts is there a way to put in a qualifier that you'll do the trip starting on an X day of they drop a day at the end of your reserve line? Or is this just a function of green slips?

 

That's a green slip you're talking about. I don't think there is another way to get that working X day comp'd back to you.

 

Only option is to put in for a Xday move and then yellow high. May or may not work.

 

You can also put in a YS for flying on X days if you really want the trip. Unlike a GS, you won't get a payback day.

 

Note that this is generally a losing strategy, equivalent to volunteering to work for free. Not only is there no PB day, you won't get paid for the flying unless you are already FULL for the month, meaning you have met or exceeded the reserve guarantee. I never yellow on off days because it's basically working for no additional pay for the month.

Bid a line if you want to pick up extra flying...

 

Unless there is a sale for 69% off hookers and blow on the 72 hour layover of the all inclusive in the Caribbean, this is probably a poor idea. You don't even get credit towards reserve guarantee for YS flying on an XX day. It is truly flying for free unless as previously mentioned, you're already full (or plan to be by the end of the month, I think).

What equipment are you on? If it's the 717 you can't move XX days but you could always GS the trip. GSing with RES days in the mix is typically a good deal for the company but if you really want the trip, you'll be paid for block and DH on your XX day and get a PB day -- all credit will be put towards reserve guarantee. If you're on something a bit more stable like the ER then move your XX days around so the entire trip is during RES days and this way you'll be working off your guarantee and hopefully putting yourself into bucket 2 for later reserve considerations.

 

FYI just spoke with a friend, my info on the YS on an off day wasn't good. It apparently applies towards guarantee, which is still flying for free unless you fill up -- even at a later time.

 

Not everyone can just "bid a line"!

I've found it to my advantage to YS a trip on an X day on rare occasions. Say I've got no plans for that last X day. Sweet 3 day in the pot goes out my last day off. Ugly 4 day sitting there on my first on call day, me with 4 days availability, got my name written all over it.

Over the years when I sat reserve, I almost never filled up. Lots of "days on" that looked and felt just like "days off". So it's not like my life changed much by suiting up on an X day in order to fly a trip I enjoyed vs holding out for one that was painful.

 

When I couldn't hold a line and commuted, YSing trips on the open board was a great way to control my schedule on reserve. I'd choose commutable trips, with layovers I liked, that fit my days on and put a YS in for it. Crew Scheds was happy to give it to me.

To each their own, I'm glad we all have options.

 

I'm on reserve as a ATL 717B dude, and the PWA and Crew Scheduling Handbook both talk about greenslips the following way:

"will receive single pay, no credit (above his reserve guarantee) for the portion of a GS
rotation that he flew and that interrupted an X day or was flown after his accumulated
credit equaled the ALV, and additional time free of duty under Section 23.S.11"

What does it mean to get NO CREDIT? If you can translate this paragraph into plain English I'd be obliged...