Ignis

All,
This is my first post. I've been scouring the forum for weeks as I try to decide what to do when I leave AD. I appreciate all the good intel and good will on display here.

Question: does anyone live in MGM and drive to ATL? It's 2+15 from my door to ATL, plus the 1 hour lost to EST. Wondering how quickly that would get old...

(I posted in Military b/c I figured no one else but retired Maxwellians and 187 FW guys would live in MGM.)

Thanks!

The Plainsman

I know several DAL folks that live in Auburn and make the drive no problem..I-85 in that direction generally has the lowest consternation level of all the interstates around ATL..

AirBear

I'd check what Delta's reserve call-out times are. You probably won't be able to sit reserve from MGM and if you want to be based in ATL ASAP you'll probably spend a bit of time on reserve.

Ignis

Air Bear,
After reading your note, I realized I'd never actually Googled "Delta short call out reserve time", relying instead on searching APC. The PBS Help Handbook popped up right away, and I found this:
"A pilot on short call is required to be within the general area of his base and promptly available for contact by Crew Scheduling, and must be able to promptly report for an awarded/assigned rotation. Since each base has its own particular traffic problems, the phrase 'promptly report' has never been defined in terms of time or distance, and is based upon normal circumstances that can be expected throughout the day or night. Actual realistic response time may vary from base to base and with weather and time of day. It is not possible for a pilot to anticipate and account for abnormal conditions beyond his control, which may extend response time beyond that normally required."
I have heard 2 hours mentioned as a reasonable amount of time, but the guidance distinctly avoids clarification.
Cheers!

AirBear

In that case you **might** be able to get away sitting reserve in MGM but you'd have to get out of the house quicker than a fireman leaving the station. Probably will need a crashpad or hotel in the ATL area. Now on long call reserve it won't be a problem. But still a crashpad is a good idea when you have a long day and get back really late at night you probably won't want to do a 2+15 drive.

ApachePhil

As a Delta guy living in Chattanooga (1:50 to the parking spot on sunday at 4a) I would not sit short call at my house. When/if I bid reserve, on short call, I start driving toward ATL about :30 prior to my short call window. I grab breakfast about :30 minutes into the drive, then go to the library in the morning. Then I go to the driving range for a while. I've hiked, mountain biked around Cartersville on short call. I've drove all the way to the new Braves stadium for an afternoon game. I need to find a girlfriend in Adairsville area and spend some time there too.

After 6-8 hours into short call, I'll grab a movie and/or dinner and start making my way back home if there are others entering the SC window and there isn't an IROP.

I wouldn't want to be that guy that missed a the "2-hour" expected report window, when we have only 6 short call windows a month.

Ignis

Excellent words--thanks to both of you.