I guess you're in the ball park. There are some nuances to the various scenarios, but there are times the DH trips have the potential to get you some extra days off. But the main thing to correct you on is that you're usually not losing days off with the DH trips.

The footprint of the DH trips include the DH and the time required to be in position prior to operating. Look at that time period like the first leg of a trip beginning in domicile through the end of the first layover. You're just not operating the first leg (and if you live where the trip deadheads to, you're already at the layover). So if your schedule was Mon-Sat, week on/week off for a month, you'd have two 6-day trips (12 days of work) scheduled that month. Say the two trips were identical with a front AND back deadhead. If you lived in the city you were scheduled to DH to Monday morning and DH from Saturday night, then you would have most of Monday off before going in that night and be home Saturday morning with no further duties. Are those bookend days technically "days off"? I guess it depends on you. Most guys will be trying to bank some sleep before going in Monday night and will probably be messed up most of Saturday coming off a week of nights. But, you're home, getting paid. So, some might say they only worked 8 of the 12 scheduled work days, since they were home most of Mon/Sat for each trip. On your calendar, the trip will go from early Monday to late Saturday, so you decide.

If you're deadheading to/from another city with the same schedule, you're correct. You're probably not getting extra days off. However, you're not losing scheduled days off either. You're getting into position on the days you're actually scheduled to work rather than using real days off. So, the above scenario would still result in 12 days of work with little to no time away from home that isn't true paid work time.

Commuting to MEM to start a non-DH trip may require burning part of a true day off, unpaid, the day before the trip starts just like a pax guy on a non-commutable trip. Clear as mud?

 

That actually cleared everything up for me quite well! Thanks for taking the time to explain it. It sounds like a valuable aspect of your contract that is worth sustaining.

I've still got a good bit of flying to do before I'm competitive for a gig like FedEx, but learning about these sorts of details is valuable as I continually shape my long-term goals around the intel I gather.

Cheers!

 

Huge thread, so forgive me if this has been answered. On the application, it asks about willingness to accept either the Hong Kong or Cologne FDAs for a minimum of two years. If I choose no, am I ruled out? Both commutes would be near impossible for me, and my wife has a serious medical condition which precludes us from moving. We must stay where I live currently as she needs a reliable support structure in place since I am of course gone for long lengths of time.

 

pressoff,
Nobody can force you to take a fda assignment, it just might delay a job offer (no guarantee since we are short in every seat). Good luck!

 

I'm starting class @ FedEx July 12. Today was my last day at SWA. I live in PHX and I'm looking to commute for now. I'm not nailed down to PHX, but I plan on staying (long term) in the 4 corners states since they are home to me. I'm hearing all fleet types are short of pilots. I'm not eligible for the Md-11, so considering an initial commute from PHX, which remaining fleet type would provide the best quality of life for a commuter from the southwest? (Most rapid movement up the list in the right seat?)

I flew the 757 at another carrier previous to SWA and miss the plane. I wouldn't mind being assigned that aircraft. Last 4 of my SSN are quite low, so I'm guessing a 757 assignment is a very real possibility.

Thanks!

 

Welcome. Go to the "I quit SWA" FB page when you get a chance. Lots of guys I know are asking about leaving SWA to go other places, so I started a place guys and gals could swap info without the prying eyes of SWA HR....

 

Thanks Albief15. Request sent.

 

Congrats The Duke, how long was your app on file before getting invited for interview?

 

Depends how long you want to be on training pay and how long you want to extend your probation. Some 777 and Airbus guys are finishing IOE before some of their classmates start 75/76 training.

 

Would you expand this thought for some of us duller sticks in the pile? Is probation based on hours versus a calendar period? Pros and cons?