I was 190 Boston reserve last spring through the summer. I averaged flying 8 days a month. Busiest months was July with 11 days and slowest was oddly August with 3 days flown- mostly day trips when I got assigned. The earlier you can hold or swap weekends off, the better if u want to sit at home. Weekend reserves work almost every weekend

 

Is commuting on reserve possible? Is there any form of a commuter clause for JB pilots?

 

Short answer is yes and not officially.

They "try" to start you later on your first day and unless advised your released at 5pm on the last. If the coverage is good and you start midweek, there's a chance for long call(14hr) not to be expected in any month with a vacation associated with it, a summer month, a spring break month, or any month ending in Y.

The commuter clause is unwritten to date, but if "you don't abuse it, and give an honest effort" there usually not a problem. YMMV.

The recent dependability policy has functionally been in effect for a very long time. It has just recently been put into writing. It is also not going to affect 98% of guys who show up fly and have a sick event now and then. They aren't looking to can you for calling in sick. If you bang out 6 times over 3 months chances are you have a problem( sick kid, sick wife, dieing parent, you... Might be sick) and the company may be able to assist your situation.

Guys getting fired over the Dp have been past offenders of stupidity multiple times... Ie: being on the west coast with girlfriend pass traveling and on RSV duty in JFK.... Yup happens apparently.

 

Thanks Cool Hand!

 

Any new updates on training, everything still valid as far as possible breaks and what to expect? Or best airframe/base to take for a commuter?

 

Training slows down over the summer, so there shouldn't be as many breaks. Hopefully the system can take a breather, and absorb some if the trainees who just came through before a bunch of big classes start again.

As far as equipment, it depends on where you live, and what your goals are. If you want LGB as fast as possible, go for the Bus. If you want QOL as quickly as possible, and hate red-eyes, the 190 is your bird. The general feeling is that the 190 will go to FLL soon, if not the next system bid.

 

When you say a bunch of big classes again... What size? 20? 30?

 

Out of curiosity, how long would it take a new hire to hold LGB assuming he/she were to get the Bus in training?

 

As it stands now, less than a year.

 

One or two bids back, there were slots in lgb and FLL that went unfilled. You might get it right out of the gate... Or it might take two years.

Good luck!