WhiteH2O

Sounds like jet reserve, not Q reserve. Amiright?

BigfatQ

My name is bigfatQ. Not E

ftaba1

So, basically, if you are on reserve you generally don't know your trips in advance. Vs as a line holder - you do, but you are still gone for days at a time. Doesn't seem like much of a difference (or am I missing something?). How many days off do you get on reserve vs. a line holder?

What's an airport conversion?

hawgwild

Junior GEG FO is an 8/28/17 hire which is 615/755

Fixnem2Flyinem

The downside to reserve is not knowing where your overnights will be. During certain times of the year that can make it challenging to pack for a five day block of reserve. You could be scheduled for SoCal overnights then be changed to an Edmonton or Calgary overnight. In the winter those locations require a different set of comfortable attire if you are trying to walk to the store or get some food.

You will also get reassigned and spread the entire range of the clock without knowing. Example: Last week I started reserve and had a 3pm show with a 1235am block in. Two days later I was on min rest after a 1030pm block in. Had 9am show the next day with a 3pm block in. The next morning I had a 455am show time. It can be hard to constantly shift your sleep schedule on a day or two notice. Some lines are built with “circadian swaps” as well, but at least you know about them in advance. Other than that it is similar to holding a line. Expect to have around 12-13 days off a month, mostly in blocks of 2-4.

An airport conversion consists of sitting ready at the airport in case scheduling needs coverage for a flight inside that of two hours. Airport reserve also can mean a lot of deadheading to cover one leg in the system or ferry/repo flights. You can bid for airport reserve or be converted airport from short call reserve.

ftaba1

Thanks, that makes more sense now. The old am/pm switching trick! 12-13 days off is not bad though.

cactusflyer

Even when reserves get an overnight assigned, there's absolutely no guarantee crew scheduling won't change their minds partway through the day and send you somewhere else. This also applies to legs you're working, since it's also very common for crew scheduling to hijack reserves partway through a planned day and completely change their schedule for reasons that make zero sense to anyone.

DashAviator

If you're new and have a six-day stretch of reserve, be sure to pack enough stuff for SIX days. Always take your roller bag, even if you "think" you're just doing a turn.

sierrajuliet

Any idea how long it takes for a new hire FO to get BOI based? What about upgrade time there? What about commuting from BOI to the other bases?

MooneyGuy128

Thanks! Appreciate the response. I assume this would be a reserve FO then?