At pinnacle reserve guys spend their days off and vacation days in hell. It is much nicer there this time of year.

Rule #1 of being an airline pilot: NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE IF SCHEDULING CALLS ON YOUR DAY OFF!

Another thing...

Yes, you'll be able to jumpseat. But probably only on your days off. RSV days are very rarely commutable. You'll have 2-3 days off and if you have 3 off you'll commute in the night before and commute home on your first day off. Your days off will be half eaten by commuting.

What do you fly now? Is it turbine?

If you are building turbine M/E time I would strongly consider staying there until the right job comes along. Going 121 is important if the airlines are your goal, but right now is a very, very difficult time in the airlines. PIC turbine time is critical to your career and if you are building that right now and home every night that doesn't sound bad at all.

If you live in base... i have no problem with rsv...

if you commute... it sucks...period... end of story.

If you want to know what rsv is like visit hell. That would be the best way to convey to you what it's like.

A typical schedule goes like this. 6 on 2 off sometimes 3 off just depends. Be prepared to spend 260+ days away from home a year. 4 a.m. phone calls from scheduling commanding you to waste your life on ready rsv or some 6 leg day including 2 deadheads. If you commute it will take you one who day to gain some sleep back and wash your uniform. The next day you will pack your bags and catch some flt that your destined to get bumped off of and finally catch a flight sitting in a jump seat all night getting to your reporting airport for a 5:25 a.m. show. Just remember your off 2 days but there's a good chance you're going home on one of them or returning on the other. You will be making below the poverty line and you will get hit the most for expenses. Being on reserve you make A LOT less than a line pilot. Seeing that you have no idea were you will be sleeping or showing up or leaving work you will be forced to buy crash pads and hotels. If you have any student loans which the overwhelming majority of us do. You will not be able to keep your head above water and begin digging yourself further in debt. Seeing that your on reserve you are also junior. EXPECT to be displaced at least twice to more expensive cities and being forced to commute as you can't break leases that easily. Your social life will be COMPLETELY depleted. You will be home during the day while your peers are at work. You will have absolutely NO quality of life. I've seen my co-workers who are in marriages or relationships and they all are in trouble or failed. Don't forget to start saving for a triple bypass surgery when you hit 60 because it's almost impossible to eat healthy (believe me I'm a health nut) and the stress of the job and hardly being able to sleep will take a huge toll on your body. It is very unfortunate that this is the way the industry is. It is no longer a respectable job thanks to ME. Don't let anybody sugar coat it. This is how it is. I would be the person to ask.

I have about 2-3 months left of my sentence on reserve before I'm paroled. I've never been in prison but they are probably about on the same level. Actually I think I'd rather be in prison.

Rule #2 of being an airline pilot: NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE ON YOUR DUTY DAYS UNTIL YOU ARE ON DUTY!

Rule #3 of being an airline pilot: IF YOUR PHONE RINGS, REVIEW RULE #1 AND RULE #2!

It's like...

Wanna find my baby wanna hold her tight,
lookin' for an afternoon delight,
my motto's always been when it's right, it's right,
why wait until the middle of a cold dark night?

Well, everything's a little brighter in the light of day.
Well, it doesn't seem to really matter anyway.

"I don't know, Ron, sounds a little crazy."

The good news is that as an airline pilot you are free to talk about Fight Club, so we have that going for us.

Call in fatigued for having your rest interrupted.