Scheduling question...
 

Alright, so here's a question for "all y'all":

I'm trying to get a bead on if I can continue my lifestyle if I were to move on to a regional when hiring picks up at some point, essentially I have 2 weeks on 2 weeks off at my current job, and I commute to HNL or (depending on my mood) BKK/UTP during that time off (I realize any "regular" airline won't let me have 2 weeks on 2 off), but is it possible to (without waiting 10 years to get the seniority) be able to work on a schedule that would allow that to continue?

For example... would I be able to "front load" one bid period and "back load" the next one to have the time off to make my commute worthwhile... or is that going to be a 10 year wait on seniority?

Let's assume you could "front load"

You will get 10-12 days off per month to start, or 18-20 days on duty. You can only work 6 days in a row before having a 24 break. So to get 18 days packed together, you would need a minimum of 20 days. Figure a day before and a day after for commute nets you 8 days at home. If you only had 10 off duty days, you might get 6 days at home. Either way, that would be a grueling schedule (I would slit my wrists before the end of the month).

Dont forget 30 in 7.

So how likely is it to front load like you want as a new guy? About the same as hitting the powerball.

Grueling Schedules don't bother me that much... I did some extra flying last few months and had a stint of flying 35 days straight (with an average of 15 flights a day).

One thing I'm not clear on is how a "reserve" schedule works, am I still required to have the 24 off in 7 or can I just do straight reserve for 18-20 days?

Furthermore (when I have the seniority to "hold" it), 6 days off at the end + 6 days off at the beginning = 12 days off in a row... right?

You're flying your butt off. 2 on and 2 off with Yute?

Still have to have the 7th day off on reserve too. Even if you don't fly one of those days. You learn to love your 3 days off after commute, don't get greedy haha.

No. That's why it's called the regionals. Welcome aboard or not. In fact... you'd probably hate life making a one hour commute depending on which hub you're based. Coast to coast is not even effective since most of the time you only have 2 or 3 days off so once you get there you say hi to mom, gf, wife, dog and 30 hours later you're in the back of a 757 or a Fedex plane with the fish to start your 6 days of duty on the other side. People actually do this most of the time because of a spouse.

Well, it wouldn't be any better as far as arranging your schedule at a major either.

We work for the same company and when I was based in ORD I would work 6on 1off the last 3 weeks in a row to end a month and started the next month with the same. If I drop a day I would end up with 16-18 days off in a row. It did mean almost 6 weeks in a row at a crash pad.:eek:

not to pick a fight, but my company doesnt fly to ORD.

At my company (a "bottom feeder") swapping trips like the OP is suggesting is out of the question.

There are people who commute, but IMHO commuting SUCKS (and I have lived in some pretty crappy bases, and it still beat commuting). The thought of commuting to Hawaii makes my head spin. Seats are few and far between. My advice (worth every penny you paid for it) is either live in base or ar least commute from a hub to another hub. You are in the travel business, better get used to moving.

It should get worse when the new duty time rules hit the street next year.