Great info guys! Thanks a bunch. Its all coming together now!

Quick question about per diem. Once your flying the line, is per diem based on flight hours or hours of rest or total hours away?

 

Per Diem is based on Hours away from base.

 

A typical 4-day trip might pay around $140 in non-taxable per-diem. A typical schedule might include four, 4-day trips in one month resulting in 14 days off and $640 in non-taxable per-diem. The average schedule I just mentioned would typically net around 21.5 hours of pay/credit per trip, resulting in roughly 85 hours of pay/credit per month. Opting to pick up an extra 3-days of flying could bring your monthly credit closer to 100-105. With per-deim included, it's very possible for a first year FO, holding a line to gross 3K/month.

 

This makes it somewhat more bearable for guys that are taking a cut in pay to come fly 121 ops!

 

First month of using the SAP:

Original line was 11 days off, 96 hours credit, working every weekend. 2 three day off blocks, the rest two.

I ended up with 15 days off, 78 hours credit, 2 weekends off completely off, working one saturday, and a 1420 show on another Sunday. 2 four day off blocks and 1 five.

At one point during the day I had a 8 day off block.

I didn't really have anything in particular that I was shooting for, but I can certainly see how I could get it if I needed to.

 

THIS^^^

For all those saying the quick upgrade has or will soon dry up at PSA, so why go there...THAT is 1 of a few very good reasons. The SAP is a tremendous QOL tool that you can't put a price on. Even though going forward we're not going to reap the benefits of CCP to the degree that some guys did last summer from my understanding, it's still around from time to time, and SAP is a more important contractual item. CCP not being as prevalent is actually a good thing, it means we're properly staffed, and trip trading can be had more easily.

Is PSA's turd any shiner than any other regional? Absolutely not. It's not all blinding sunshine and unicorns, it's not utopia over here, there's PLENTY of super screwed up things to complain about. But is it a place that's growing, where you'll realize movement up the seniority list and improvements in QOL quicker than any other regional right now? I'd argue yes. It's not that it's a special place, don't let anyone tell you that; but the thing is...it just happens to be this dog's day in the sun. Most other regionals, especially the big ones, are stagnant or shrinking. This place is growing and should be growing for awhile longer. Just because an 18 month upgrade isn't around the corner doesn't mean it still isn't a place at which you'll realize career progression quickly.

For guys new to 121, you'll see that most people don't want to, are unprepared for, are not experienced enough, to upgrade within 15-18 months anyway. A lot of new 121 guys here are bypassing, and wisely so. You'll want to see a couple of cycles of each season and its operational pitfalls, you'll wanna see diversions, emergencies, etc from the right seat first; most people are level headed enough to realize that a super duper quick upgrade isn't the end-all, be-all.

I understand why Envoy guys are angry, I really do...but the segment of the industry we're in is, has historically been, and IMO will continue to be, about the lowest cost operator. It is what it is. Nothing we can do individually is going to change that. For most, the goal is to get to the majors. I'd advise you striking wherever the iron is hottest while also enjoying some contract perks not seen at any other regional AFAIK.

 

I just hope it lasts long enough for us new guys to get on board and enjoy the short reserve time lol! I don't mind waiting my turn to upgrade, and gain some useful experiences. I just hope to be senior enough to hold a decent schedule each month!

 

Because your pilot group backstabbed an entire segment of the US Airline industry? Yeah, we're angry. As are many other pilot groups. To all you new-hires at PSA, enjoy that big fat scarlet letter on your resume.

 

tell me more about this big fat scarlet letter.

 

Like the one all PSA guys hired at the majors have? Doesn't seem to be affecting anyone.