Working at JB
07-13-2023 | 12:18 PM
#443
New Hire
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: A320PIC
Hi,
quick question: as a European, I am not familiar with the bidding / rostering systems of airlines in the US. If I were to join e.g., JetBlue, would I be able to reduce the number of flights (effectively work part time)? If yes, would I simply bid for fewer rotations or is it something contractual? Could I, for example, bid for a two week on / two weeks off scheme? At European carriers, it typically is something contractual, i.e., your work contract gets changed to a, lets say 75% contract which reduces your work days and salary accordingly.
Thanks for quick replies or pointers to more info!
quick question: as a European, I am not familiar with the bidding / rostering systems of airlines in the US. If I were to join e.g., JetBlue, would I be able to reduce the number of flights (effectively work part time)? If yes, would I simply bid for fewer rotations or is it something contractual? Could I, for example, bid for a two week on / two weeks off scheme? At European carriers, it typically is something contractual, i.e., your work contract gets changed to a, lets say 75% contract which reduces your work days and salary accordingly.
Thanks for quick replies or pointers to more info!
07-13-2023 | 01:30 PM
#444
SDQ Base Chief
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 48
From: 320 CA
Hi,
quick question: as a European, I am not familiar with the bidding / rostering systems of airlines in the US. If I were to join e.g., JetBlue, would I be able to reduce the number of flights (effectively work part time)? If yes, would I simply bid for fewer rotations or is it something contractual? Could I, for example, bid for a two week on / two weeks off scheme? At European carriers, it typically is something contractual, i.e., your work contract gets changed to a, lets say 75% contract which reduces your work days and salary accordingly.
Thanks for quick replies or pointers to more info!
quick question: as a European, I am not familiar with the bidding / rostering systems of airlines in the US. If I were to join e.g., JetBlue, would I be able to reduce the number of flights (effectively work part time)? If yes, would I simply bid for fewer rotations or is it something contractual? Could I, for example, bid for a two week on / two weeks off scheme? At European carriers, it typically is something contractual, i.e., your work contract gets changed to a, lets say 75% contract which reduces your work days and salary accordingly.
Thanks for quick replies or pointers to more info!
Each type of Reserve schedule consists of 17-18 days on per month and 12-14 days off depending on the bidding cycle. Many pilots like to stack all 17 days on in a row and have 13 days off afterwards. This would be doable as a pretty junior pilot.
As you get more senior you could bid a line and hold regular trips and attempt to stack all your flying together, although that can be more challenging considering legalities and conflicts. If compensation is not a primary focus you might be able to drop or give away many of your trips as a lineholder which would give you even more time off, but less pay.
Where in Europe are you commuting from?
07-13-2023 | 11:06 PM
#445
New Hire
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: A320PIC
Yes, our most junior schedule type is the Reserve status where you have a 10hr on-call shift each day (known as Short Call Reserve) or have a 24hr on-call shift that is Long Call Reserve. On SCR you have at least 2.5hrs to get to the airport after a call. For LCR you have at least 14hrs notice.
Each type of Reserve schedule consists of 17-18 days on per month and 12-14 days off depending on the bidding cycle. Many pilots like to stack all 17 days on in a row and have 13 days off afterwards. This would be doable as a pretty junior pilot.
As you get more senior you could bid a line and hold regular trips and attempt to stack all your flying together, although that can be more challenging considering legalities and conflicts. If compensation is not a primary focus you might be able to drop or give away many of your trips as a lineholder which would give you even more time off, but less pay.
Where in Europe are you commuting from?
Each type of Reserve schedule consists of 17-18 days on per month and 12-14 days off depending on the bidding cycle. Many pilots like to stack all 17 days on in a row and have 13 days off afterwards. This would be doable as a pretty junior pilot.
As you get more senior you could bid a line and hold regular trips and attempt to stack all your flying together, although that can be more challenging considering legalities and conflicts. If compensation is not a primary focus you might be able to drop or give away many of your trips as a lineholder which would give you even more time off, but less pay.
Where in Europe are you commuting from?
Option A - join EU legacy carrier
Entry salary 90k EUR
3hrs commute
Linear, slow increase
Upgrade after 10 years
Exit salary 220k EUR
Option B - join EU ACMI carrier
Entry salary 40k EUR
3hrs commute
Upgrade after 1 year
Then salary is 110k EUR
Build PIC hours and move on after 3-4 years to ??? (and likely be a nomad for the rest of the career)
Option C - join US carrier (e.g. JetBlue)
Entry salary 80ish USD?
10 hrs commute
Upgrade after 2-3 years?
Then salary is 240k USD
Exit salary north of 300k USD
With a salary of 300k USD, I could even work on a 67% base, drop all other lines and still have a salary of 200 kUSD? Even if I have to invest 50k USD each year for commuting and renting an appartment, this doesn't even sound too crazy. With 150k USD + wife income, we'll be able to have a high living standard over here.
07-14-2023 | 03:21 AM
#446
SDQ Base Chief
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 48
From: 320 CA
I would likely be commuting from Frankfurt (I live 15 mins from the airport) if I can't convince my family to make the move :-) Therefore BOS or JFK would be good bases for me. Currently trying to do the math if it would be worth it in the mid-to-long term. I have 22 years ahead of me. Here are the options
Option A - join EU legacy carrier
Entry salary 90k EUR
3hrs commute
Linear, slow increase
Upgrade after 10 years
Exit salary 220k EUR
Option B - join EU ACMI carrier
Entry salary 40k EUR
3hrs commute
Upgrade after 1 year
Then salary is 110k EUR
Build PIC hours and move on after 3-4 years to ??? (and likely be a nomad for the rest of the career)
Option C - join US carrier (e.g. JetBlue)
Entry salary 80ish USD?
10 hrs commute
Upgrade after 2-3 years?
Then salary is 240k USD
Exit salary north of 300k USD
With a salary of 300k USD, I could even work on a 67% base, drop all other lines and still have a salary of 200 kUSD? Even if I have to invest 50k USD each year for commuting and renting an appartment, this doesn't even sound too crazy. With 150k USD + wife income, we'll be able to have a high living standard over here.
Option A - join EU legacy carrier
Entry salary 90k EUR
3hrs commute
Linear, slow increase
Upgrade after 10 years
Exit salary 220k EUR
Option B - join EU ACMI carrier
Entry salary 40k EUR
3hrs commute
Upgrade after 1 year
Then salary is 110k EUR
Build PIC hours and move on after 3-4 years to ??? (and likely be a nomad for the rest of the career)
Option C - join US carrier (e.g. JetBlue)
Entry salary 80ish USD?
10 hrs commute
Upgrade after 2-3 years?
Then salary is 240k USD
Exit salary north of 300k USD
With a salary of 300k USD, I could even work on a 67% base, drop all other lines and still have a salary of 200 kUSD? Even if I have to invest 50k USD each year for commuting and renting an appartment, this doesn't even sound too crazy. With 150k USD + wife income, we'll be able to have a high living standard over here.
I do think the financial part would work better being with a US carrier, but that’s a rough commute to do for the next 25yrs.
07-14-2023 | 04:17 AM
#447
SDQ Base Chief
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 48
From: 320 CA
have you looked at US carriers like United? They serve Frankfurt as well as having Lufthansa as a close partner. Might make commuting even easier as well as the possibility of working EWR-FRA trips and having a layover at home.
I do think the financial part would work better being with a US carrier, but that’s a rough commute to do for the next 25yrs.
I do think the financial part would work better being with a US carrier, but that’s a rough commute to do for the next 25yrs.
07-14-2023 | 04:31 AM
#448
On Reserve
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
Yes, our most junior schedule type is the Reserve status where you have a 10hr on-call shift each day (known as Short Call Reserve) or have a 24hr on-call shift that is Long Call Reserve. On SCR you have at least 2.5hrs to get to the airport after a call. For LCR you have at least 14hrs notice.
Each type of Reserve schedule consists of 17-18 days on per month and 12-14 days off depending on the bidding cycle. Many pilots like to stack all 17 days on in a row and have 13 days off afterwards. This would be doable as a pretty junior pilot.
As you get more senior you could bid a line and hold regular trips and attempt to stack all your flying together, although that can be more challenging considering legalities and conflicts. If compensation is not a primary focus you might be able to drop or give away many of your trips as a lineholder which would give you even more time off, but less pay.
Where in Europe are you commuting from?
Each type of Reserve schedule consists of 17-18 days on per month and 12-14 days off depending on the bidding cycle. Many pilots like to stack all 17 days on in a row and have 13 days off afterwards. This would be doable as a pretty junior pilot.
As you get more senior you could bid a line and hold regular trips and attempt to stack all your flying together, although that can be more challenging considering legalities and conflicts. If compensation is not a primary focus you might be able to drop or give away many of your trips as a lineholder which would give you even more time off, but less pay.
Where in Europe are you commuting from?
While it is possible to drop trips and reserve days to build your desired schedule, it’s highly unrealistic to expect. You’d have a very very difficult time dropping anywhere close to guarantee, let alone to your desired 67% of a 75 hour line or “roster”. Any month with a holiday or school break, you can plan on not being able to drop or move days. You’d need a significant amount of PTO (paid time off) to get the schedule flexibility you’re inquiring about. Under current jetblue contractual language, not to mention how slowly you’d accrue said PTO. I’m not trying to burst your bubble. If you want to do it, go for it. But I want you to have a realistic portrayal about the possibility of your desired schedule.
07-14-2023 | 04:48 AM
#449
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 5
From: CA
While it is possible to drop trips and reserve days to build your desired schedule, it’s highly unrealistic to expect. You’d have a very very difficult time dropping anywhere close to guarantee, let alone to your desired 67% of a 75 hour line or “roster”. Any month with a holiday or school break, you can plan on not being able to drop or move days. You’d need a significant amount of PTO (paid time off) to get the schedule flexibility you’re inquiring about. Under current jetblue contractual language, not to mention how slowly you’d accrue said PTO. I’m not trying to burst your bubble. If you want to do it, go for it. But I want you to have a realistic portrayal about the possibility of your desired schedule.
Maybe in the more cushy bases where guys gobble up as much flying as humanly possible….Captain side as well. But JfK FO staffing is as bad as it gets. You’re gonna work.
07-14-2023 | 05:04 AM
#450
SDQ Base Chief
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,089
Likes: 48
From: 320 CA
While it is possible to drop trips and reserve days to build your desired schedule, it’s highly unrealistic to expect. You’d have a very very difficult time dropping anywhere close to guarantee, let alone to your desired 67% of a 75 hour line or “roster”. Any month with a holiday or school break, you can plan on not being able to drop or move days. You’d need a significant amount of PTO (paid time off) to get the schedule flexibility you’re inquiring about. Under current jetblue contractual language, not to mention how slowly you’d accrue said PTO. I’m not trying to burst your bubble. If you want to do it, go for it. But I want you to have a realistic portrayal about the possibility of your desired schedule.
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