Mainline schedule flexibility
 

Which carriers are known to offer the most flexibility as far as bidding lower credit schedules or the ability to drop/swap trips?

From my research on these threads, I get the impression Southwest and Spirit, but I'd prefer to hear answers from the pilots who are employed at the majors. I am also trying to decide the best place to go.

At UAL it depends on seniority and staffing. In the slow months you might be able to drop everything (well, not any more as we have to keep50 hours), but in the summer you might not be able drop anything. Also, easier to drop shorter trips, but generally 1 and 2 day trips go more senior.

You ain’t dropping a damned thing at Merican-unless scheduling screws up again.

(I have gotten about three drops-ever.)

You can sometimes swap for better stuff, tho

^^^This^^^

is what I'm looking for. I am at a regional and my only complaint is lack of schedule control/quality of life.

I'm really curious about DAL, UAL (thanks Worstpilotever), and LUV.

At SWA we do have some opportunities to change up our schedules, but they are limited. We can’t “drop” trips, but we can give them away and also pick up giveaway trips from other pilots, including reserve blocks. We can trade with the company for similar length trips (thus “move” the schedule), and also trade with other pilots.

Giving away trips here can be difficult.

You’ve got to know how to do it. I’ve never had an issue. You’ve got to move things around to get them to drop.

^^^ exactly. I drop all the time at AA, and overall I’m really happy with my scheduling flexibility here.

To the OP - it just goes to show that it’s not all about the airline, but also the particular equipment and base. I’m not dismissing jcountry’s inability to drop at AA, but I’m guessing he’s not on the 737 in NYC.

UPS systemwide:

We still bid hard lines so with a little seniority you can get specific days off fairly easily.

Trip trades: we have a third party trip drop program (pairing pickup by another crew member). Demand dependant and favors smaller trip lengths. We can also do a trip for trip trade between crew members but this requires manual processing by the schedulers. Rarely used based on my observations.

Can’t drop to open time but you can trade with it (or do a straight pickup). Success largely dependant on reserve staffing and whether or not you are increasing your block hours with the trade. I’ve occasionally dropped down hours.

For single legs we have a unique program called “Fly no pay, Pay no fly,” or FNP. In a nutshell, another guy flies your leg for free and you still get paid. It is almost always utilized with the first or last leg of a trip when there are jumpseaters. The jumpseater ends up operating the flight (he gets a positive space ride home) and the orig crew member gets to go home early. It’s a help each other out kind of deal.

Last option we have is to request PLOA days from the company if we need a particular day or two off for something. I’ve heard and experienced good results with this but admit it can be hit or miss. Or, we have a big sick bank if you really need that day off. Use it sparingly and discretely and it won’t be a problem. I’m just about starting my fourth year here and gotten almost every day off I needed or wanted, sometimes without too much trouble, sometimes I had to pay the devil.

Not much success with straight drops into open time, but do well with other guys picking up posted trips. I could have went to zero time this month, but wife doesn't share my vision of living in a van down by the river.

For dropping trips both ways, you have to be senior enough to get some turns or 2-days during the week, but some guys still grab the weekend stuff. 3 and 4 day straight drops? Forget it. Much tougher when posted, but still works sometimes. Same goes for special qualification airports or divisions, tougher to dump. Don't bid GUA and think it will be droppable.