Fine, I'll reply with some advice. I've been on reserve at SkyWest for nearly 4 years, so I've got a little knowledge on how it works. If you commute you'll need a crash pad. If the crash pad is not within walking distance to the airport you'll need a car or you might be able to use public transportation. Some rules that I live by, 1. Never pick up the phone out side of your reserve period. If your on from 9am to 9pm and they call at 7am, DON'T PICK UP. They can and will use you. 2. You don't have to self notify on your days off. Only do it if it is going to benefit you. For instance there was an 8am trip on my schedule for my first day of reserve next week. I am on call from 9am to 9pm. Which means they can't assign me that trip till 9am and I wouldn't have to be there till 11am, which means that the trip will more than likely be assigned to a person on the 4am to 4pm shift. Which means I don't have to do a crappy AM trip. 3. If crew support starts off with the "are you willing to...", and it doesn't benefit you. Don't be afraid to tell them NO. Nothing bad will come of it. Good luck and hope you get a line as soon as possible.

 

Thanks Tehownerer thats the best info I have recieved so for.

 

^^Good advise. Let me just reiterate:

DON'T ANSWER YOUR PHONE OUTSIDE YOUR RAP (reserve availability period). Crew Support (sometime rightfully called "screw support") can and WILL utilize EVERY loop hole to squeeze every last bit of productivity out of you during these understaffed times. Know the policy manual inside and out (someone mentioned the Reserve Survival Guide) so that you aren't ever intimidated by CS. They know who is new and naive, and they will assume that you don't know better, and will accept an assignment that you wouldn't otherwise be obligated to accept.

My rule of thumb is to NEVER self-notify. I always make them call me DURING MY RAP.

Did I mention that you should never answer your phone outside your RAP?




Also, Google Voice is your friend. Makes it easy to filter un-wanted work calls on your rare days off.

 

So one year has passed. Is SkyW still understaffed? I hear their reserves are mostly sitting around.

 

Been on reserve for almost six months and sitting around a lot. Thank God I live in base.

 

I am ORD based and live in base. I was hired last August and got a line for the first time for June. I mostly bid AM reserve and I was Long Call reserve (12 hour call out) for April. I have flown about 300 hours since getting on line in November. I flew my tail off in April because I was Long Call reserve (they try to assign these guys everything first if they can as long as they can give you 12 hours notice). As far as a pattern that I have noticed, it seems like I have gotten used a lot more toward the end of my reserve block than the beginning (example: they tend to use the guys that are available for only 1 or 2 days more than the guys that are available for 4 or 5 days). This is because normally people will just call in sick/unavailable for turns/day trips/2 days. I find it rare that I get a 4 day being on reserve, however I did get some 4 days when I was on Long Call reserve. This sucks if you are a commuter because you will be spending a lot of time in your crash pad rather than a hotel and making per diem.

One thing you will get used to looking at is the Reserve tab on Sked+. Here you can see a list of all the reserves in your base and you can see where exactly you stand on the list for each day, so you can get a good idea if you will be called or not. Also, if you go to the Operations page on SWOL and click on the Reserve List link on the left side, you can change your Call First preference (yes/no) if you want to or don't want to fly, and you can also request an Early Release for that day.

As far as living in base and doing the reserve thing, I love it. I really don't have to go to work that much, and I'm lucky to live within a 35 minute train ride of ORD so I don't feel like I am tethered to my house. Living in base vs. commuting to reserve makes a world of difference. If you have any way of relocating to your base, I suggest doing it.

Welcome aboard and hopefully you won't be on reserve long!

 

Be careful man. This post is full of positive and useful information. Many pilots here prefer their responses full of complaints, company bashing, and downright negativity. On the other hand, I look forward to flying with you!

Disclaimer for the pilots (sadly) that need it. My post contains up to 99% Sarcasm..

 

Try to make the best of your reserve time. I really recommend having a car. It can make a huge difference. See some sights and respond when crew scheduling calls. I keep my bags packed and uniform ready. It helps a bit. I have three bags ready at all times. My trip bag, my gym bag and my commute bag. Each have a shaving kit and everything I need. A gym membership helps and can be a real bonus! Being able to catch up on some good reading books also a plus. Netflix, Hulu and an IPAD are all handy. I previously rented a room in a house with a couple other crew members. It was a good arrangement. I am heading off to a new job and will be looking for a room to rent. I am going to avoid a hot bed or shared room at all cost.

 

I broke reserve in MSP two out of the last three months, though I was call first and wanted to work. I start in ORD June 1st and I got a composite line (I'm a Dec 2011 hire). I'll almost certainly be back to reserve come fall. Everything Tchinson said is quite accurate. I really love it here. Between SkyWest and my last airline I've been commuting to reserve for the last year and a half. June will be my first month living in base and I can already tell how beneficial it's going to be for my quality of life (though, the partial line helps as well).

 

I too have transitioned from corporate to SkyWest. The "twiddling of the thumb" is EXACTLY as you would twiddle in any FBO @ TEB,HPN,PBI,VNY,PWK,et. al. The difference? Reserve is limited to 12 hours on reserve days and scheduled off days...better than having no clue when you have OFF or when a trip will end. Now when someone asks "what are you doing Wednesday?",instead of saying you don't know,now you can tell them you are off and makes plans (wow!). What if you want to go to your best friend's wedding in November? Corporate you get the "the owner might want to go to Aspen" bit,whereas now you can use Golden Days and KNOW you will be attending. I live in base and enjoyed my Reserve schedule...next month I am finally a lineholder (took about 9 months). I know corporate gigs run the gamut from well staffed to 3 airplanes/4 pilots.
Good luck,positive attitude and keep things in perspective .