I have been on reserve since late November. I flew a lot in December, but since then I have flown a 3 leg 2 day, an ORD turn, and a local with a deadhead back (captain took the leg). Thats 2 flying legs in 52 days. I'm not trying to complain but every time I jump in the cockpit I try to move the seat over on the j-track, hit the ptt on the instrument panel, or try to say "Waterski" on the radio (a habit that was beat out of me in sim... literally).

How many other pilots out there are sitting around and not flying? The thing is there is not a lot of flying to go around right now and with the talks of the Delta merger I wonder if I will ever get off reserve. Any thoughts? Am I just being paranoid? Will everything come to a frenzy in the summer like last year and suck up all of the reserves? How does this year's pre-summer staffing compare to last year?

Also... Whats with the ETOPS stuff in the latest qtb?

 

Well the staffing right now is alright, and I think that is due to the projected increases in the UX flying. They say we have added 18% and my gut feel is we are not done adding flying to united this year.

About april or may, it seems that it really kicks into gear. With the staff we have right now, by summer prolly around 15% is about the coverage I expect.

Right now it is kinda nice having all of you guys cleaning your rectums with your thumbs, I have not had a drop request denied in many months.

Problem being is we used todays standards to predict the future, never really works.

You will get off reserve someday, just hold, when things start moving again, your senority will out run you.

Reeves

 

Reeves you were at TSA too right?

 

Still am,
I have no real plans on heading out

 

Do you drive a red Oldsmobile and keep a crowbar by your bed? I sure flew a lot while I was there. It is good to not have to commute, even though I am not flying much.

 

Nope never had one,
I dont spend time there, just drive in hop on the plane and leave
fly back, car, home

I spend about 2 to 4 hours a trip in st louis and thats it

I mis read your post, none of that makes since what I posted, I thought you were still there.

I have no idea what your reseve looks like

but for anyone else, that is what TSA's looks like

sorry for the confusion

 

I was in a crashpad with a reeves, thats all. He had a crowbar by the bed. One night there were a bunch of gunshots by the house and the crowbar looked pretty inviting.

 

You must have the wrong reeves
never had a red car, or a crowbar

 

Anyway... Any other pilots out there not flying want to chime in?

 

Don't know what's going on...it's gonna be slow for awhile. But I wouldn't expect that to last. Jerry doesn't like slow.