I got a kick out your avatar Gretzsky. I was in Kazakstan last week and we kept asking the locals where we can find, "sexy time"..ha ha ha.

Hope the staffing problems get ironed out before the traditional Flu season.

Ok, sorry to interupt..I'll head back to delivering rubber poo poo to Hong Kong.

FF

Once enough new hires have gone to the ER to fill out the reserve staffing, they will stop sending new hires. The very first few new hires to get the ER may end up with a line, but I would not count on it below that level. There are all kinds of pilots hired prior to 07 who are just waiting till they can hold a line before they bid the ER. Movement for new hires on the ER will be very, very slow.

The last AE bid didn't result in many pilots bidding the ER. In fact more guys bid out of it than into it. That is why they had to put new hires there.

I don't expect to see many pilots bid to the ER until the International pay improves. $3 per hour and a few cents extra per diem doesn't make the ER very attractive. The strong Euro vs the weak Dollar make it a money losing proposition.

For pilots who want to live in NY it's a great option, but commuting to JFK even as a lineholder is a headache. I would expect to see pilots bid the 777 in NYC because of the pay, but the ER isn't worth it until the situation at JFK gets worked out.

For most it's better to bid a domestic 757/767 out of ATL. Lots of new hires on that airframe as well, so pre 07 hires should have a chance at a line there as well. Especially when the new hires in NYC bid back to domestic in ATL.

How is the reserve on 7er in JFK? How much do you actually fly?
Crashpads nearby? Can I get around without a car?
What seniority is the most junior line holder?

can't answer the rest, but looks like the junior line holder for Nov was an October 2000 hire, roughly 6200 on the list.

You will probably get a crashpad in Kew Gardens and yes, you can get around without a car. I actually prefered the trains. The only problem with the bus, the Q10 I think, is during off peak hours, you might wait upwards of one hour. From like 5am to 10 am, however, the Q10 runs every 15 minutes or so. They taper off until rush hour with maybe two per hour, and back up to peak schedule for rush hour. There are plenty of grocery stores, produce stands, and cleaners within walking distance from just about any where in Q gardens.

As far as seniority, I'm not to certain on that one ... I believe if you have 12 hour long call, you can probably sit at home if you live within a 3 hour flight of JFK AND have the frequency of flights you need to get to work. You can reserve the Delta jumpseat ... first come first serve UNLESS the Feds show up needing to get to that rendezvous, oops, I meant OFFICIAL meeting. It happens, but not enough to mess up your plans. IF you are assigned shortcall the day before you come to work, you will have to go in the night before to make your short call.

Only problem with the ER is most guys LOVE it and it goes fairly senior. The operation is wonderful. The hard part about flying the er is bidding down to the 88 to get to ATL or someplace near home. Being Jr. on the 88 is like being at the regionals. You can plan on at least one five leg day every other week on reserve, MAYBE. You may lay over at the Sherry Frontenac with two leg days, there's no rhyme or reason. If it were me, knowing what I know now, I'd stay on the ER until I can hold it or the 76/75 someplace closer to home unless you have to be home right away. 88 F/O is hands down the busiest job at Delta and for that reason alone, you will gain seniority quickly.

I can't tell you about the schedules. Sorry. I hope this helps, and as usual, if I'm wrong I'm certain to be corrected. :) Good luck.

Tom

Xray and Tom, thank you for your help.

Another question:
What exactly is the short call? Is it "as soon as practical" or defined time i.e. 2-3 hours to check in or push?
What if you are trying to make it and the traffic/weather is bad? Did it happened to anyone and what are the consequences?
Sorry this one is from my wife.
Thx

Short call is 2 hours. I can't help you with the rest.

Tom

Used to be,in the OLDE days, the first "no show" was on the company, the 2nd one was usually a month off with NO pay and the 3rd was the door.

I want to expand on what Tom said. Short call is generally accepted to be 2 hours. But, it is not defined in the contract. I believe the wording in the contract is promptly available. So in NYC, depending on the time of day, the schedulers recognize that traffic may mean it takes you three hours. Do you live in the NYC area? If not, pretty much all the standard crash pad areas will have you to the airport in 2 hours.