what is reserve like?
 

I am a part 135 cargo pilot working 5 nights a week and back at home each day and weekends. I am thinking of going the part 121 regional pilot route. My question is, what kind of time do you get off when your on reserve? 10-12 days off a month seems to be the normal answer, but are these days off consecutive, and do you know an advance when they will be? I ask because I am wondering if it is possible to jumpseat home on a regular basis when on reserve for a regional airline.

Totally depends. Commuting to RSV almost always sucks. Playing with the RSV schedule and stacking days off together depends largely on the staffing and "humane-ness" of an airline's scheduling team. Also, a good CBA doesn't hurt either.

You know the aristocrats joke?

It's a lot like the family

Oh, and I was on RSV at comair for one year before i got furloughed
6 days working 1 day off, 6 days working 1 day off..was the norm.

I will highly suggest you live in base, I literally LIVED at my crash pad..was there 20 nights a month sometimes.

You work 4-5 days(12 or more hours each and away from base) and have two or three off, non consecutively. So one week you might be off on a Tues and Wed, next trip on a Sun and Monday. Once you have a line qol becomes better because you know your schedule.

Reserve qol is non existent. I suppose you can make it work if your base is an hour flight away but not more than that. Plan on moving to your base.

It sucks. Been on reserve at SKYW for a year and a half now and its no fun. Our crew schedulers never seem to leave you alone. They'll call you on your days off, or if you're on AM reserve you may be getting calls before 4am so they can give you a 'heads up'

Also you only get 10 days off but could end up working every day you're on reserve and not even break guarantee.

Our ready reserve policy is horrendous too. You'll get done with a trip and get to sit around in one of our 'lavish' crew rooms for usually between 4-6hrs.

RSV sucks. You are the company's beyotch and you'll be on probation, so you can't even tell them to pack sand.

Good to do the research by asking, but now is not the time to be getting a job sitting reserve to fly an ERJ or CRJ. Unless you get into a company with decent work rules (are there any) or into a company where you won't be on reserve very long it is a crappy gig.

Long days, few days off, etc.

Did you say Skywest? It can't be. Don't you guys have like 22 days off and make 50K plus benefits your 1st year?

It's like getting punched in the stomach.