Originally Posted by HardLemonade

It's like working for a company with jets that flys on behalf of a larger company with jets. Reserve shakes out like this: 11 days off. Usually 5 days on 3 off...you can proffer for trips the day before. You can also bid for reserve periods known as RAPs, and standby shifts. It's all awarded based on seniority for that day.

Pilots on RAP get called out in reverse seniority order. Guy at the bottom gets called first, guy on top last. That's pretty much it. You fly, sometimes sit at home and never get called, sometimes sit at the airport for 8 hours and never get called...sometimes you just do a turn and go home. Other times you are given a multiple day trip..then you go home. Either way...you go home. Do the wife/girlfriend thing then come back and start again. Make sure to wash your uniform and get a haircut.

It's a regional job flying jets for above average pay and with a flow to American. Nothing more nothing less. Crews are mostly really fun and a blast to be around. Every once in a while you'll fly with one of these characters from the Internet who hates life..and you'll hate life as well as long as you are locked in the cockpit with him. But they make up about 5% of the pilot group. Otherwise everybody is a blast to spend time with and you'll have a lot of fun, make lots of new friends, have many stories to share and learn tons while you're at it.

Last piece of advice: when with a girl, just leave the balls hanging out. Peace.

Originally Posted by newto121

Thank you for the above on point assessment. Im going to interview with Envoy in a few weeks. How long should I expect reserve to last? Im going to request the E175 in DFW, I do not know if I will get that from the beginning but that is what I would like to get at some point. Thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by bigtime209

You will not get the 175 in DFW. You don’t get to request equipment, you bid equipment and choose the available slots when it’s your turn. You might get the 175 in ORD if you’re a cadet pilot or have a bunch of prior 121 time. If you don’t, you’ll bid last and can count on the 145 in LGA and being stuck on the 145 until you upgrade.

Originally Posted by Big Perm

145 in Chicago or LGa is minimal. Chicago chief pilot told me this week that last month he had no FO's on reserve in the 145.

Originally Posted by ORDinary

When your seat is staffed properly and you are somewhat senior and you live local, it is a-okay. Remove one or more of those three ingredients and yeah, it's really the worst.

Originally Posted by Big Perm

145 in Chicago or LGa is minimal. Chicago chief pilot told me this week that last month he had no FO's on reserve in the 145.

Originally Posted by Blackhawk

Do you use captains as FO's on reserve?

Originally Posted by Pedro4President

The more senior you are obviously the better it is. Removing seniority from the list is leaps and bounds better than the other two. Bottom pilots will sit airport stand by pretty much EVERY day. But at least you are home most night. On by 6 and off by 2. I'll take it over commuting.