I'm a short-call (by choice) CA on an east coast base. I'm used once or twice per 6-day block of reserve but usually it's not a full trip - it's a ferry/limo/DH/pick up the lost pieces type of trip, so the block is pretty low. Based on the reserve grid on FLICA though, it looks like long-call guys are used every single second of their legal availability. Generally trips are given to long-calls, then offered in the premium folder, then they'll give it up to a short-call. Living in base, short-call is a great gig.

Appreciate the response! Just to clarify can the same be said for FO's that are long call? I live in Jersey City so LCR would definitely be preferred for me, especially if it means being used more. Are you able to choose or have any say over being LCR and SCR? My goal is to fly as often as possible and then move to LAS few years from now and take it easy then.

Yes, same for FOs. The contract requires scheduling to use long calls before short calls if the trip is in open time at 12+ hours prior to departure. You bid for long/short call type during monthly schedule bidding, but there limited long call slots available so it does tend to go more senior.

Why would you want to work more on reserve? Get paid the same whether you fly 0 or 75 hours (while on rsv duty). Do short call and fill your schedule on days off. That pays on top of min guarantee. If you’re within 2 hours just stick with short call. Long call can go as senior as bottom end line holders anyways so you may not have a choice. Guys that can sit long call at home but not short call.

Shhhhh!!!! Don’t give away my secret! :D

Depends on month as well. I did long call in April and got called for 3 turns and one 2 day. So used 5 days out of 21 available.

Building time to leave?

No, but being in a more competitive spot with TT during a potential recession would give me some comfort if I did have to look for another job.

Hm didnt realize there was a bid selection for Short and Long. Where im at we only bid for reserve days off and scheduling assigns scr seemingly at random. So for someone that has (under good traffic circumstances) a 2 hour drive to PHL, how many times a month would it be likely that I drive to PHL and end up not being used for short call? Thats kind of the biggest concern for me.

If you have a 2 hour drive to PHL, I wouldn't drive to PHL without being called. Just drive fast. Or hang out at a coffee shop 20 mins down I-95. To take a sampling, looking at today's reserve numbers of PHL FO's, both long-calls were used and 2 out of 3 short-calls were used (one redeye reserve short call guy isn't on call yet). 3 out of 4 of those trips were just day turns, with one being a 3-day pairing. If you want to fly, you can mark yourself as such with crew scheduling, but I recommend not doing that and working on your days off instead to make more money.....especially if you can sit reserve at home and have some semblance of a life.