I would say depending on base, reserve goes 90% junior. There are about 10% or so (like myself) who intentionally bid reserve - especially if you are junior enough that you get a "crappy"* 4 day trip working days you need/want off. I prefer weekends off and would rather work reserve (again, living in base) to get that, especially if I can swing a few days where I am not called.

I've been here 2 years in one of the more junior bases (ORD EMJ) and a few months have been able to get a line but generally just bid reserve. I have gotten a line before and it is indeed, nice.

We do have something called "Composite" lines which are what they sound like. They are a mix of flying with reserve days sprinkled in. They days you have flying, you are NOT subject to reserve rules. I've done this before and it is also nice. Commuters have a love/hate because sometimes its nice to know which days you will be able to get home, but it sucks if scheduling puts a RSV day at the end of your sequence.

As far as base choice, you show up on day 1 and after attendance, they write up on the board what is open, you then bid based on age. What is open varies greatly. Past few classes have gotten all bases - ORD, New York, MIA and DFW. All ERJ, no CRJ. Most senior base now is DFW. However, with recent vacancy bids, people have generally gotten what they wanted. I had a friend who was one of the most junior people at the company at a time bid and get awarded the base he wanted (ORD, remember, one of the more junior base).

Any more questions feel free to ask.

* - what one person considers crappy, another may not.

 

ORD is shrinking. All the hiring will be for the LGA.

Expect CRJ trips starting and finishing up in JFK soon....

 

Oh, and oicur12... if there has been ANY advice I have given you, it would be this: Ignore this individual, RJ Pilot. I am sure most would agree that is just as important as living in base.

 

^^^snippercr is correct about RJ Pilot. He's thrives on posting negative responses to everything. I honestly am beginning to think he doesn't believe half the BS he writes, but rather thinks it fun to stir the pot. Therefore, do not take anything he says seriously.

 

Just wanted to toss in a couple of questions:

Does Eagle pay/credit for sitting airport standby?

Is it still 11 days off/months for reserves?

 

Still 11 days, and you get your 3.9hrs for sitting standby... You don't get the full 8 unfortunately.

Reserve can work for or against you depending on how lucky you are. Since ive been at Eagle I have mostly been on the FOR side of things. I did get junior manned twice in one day (going into New years day, and then Jan 2nd) which sucked, but I was expecting NY Day at the least. More times than not (especially with staffing lately) when you finish a trip on your last day, there isnt anything else for them to tack on to you and you get to go home (at least for FOs). It definitely helps a LOT to be more senior as you can proffer for trips when you want (for commuters like myself, this is a great thing), or sit RAP if there isnt much in open time and possibly sit at home (depending on where you live).

It is NOT all misery and abuse (unless you are a captain right now ). You will be likely to sit around more than fly. In all the months I worked reserve I think the most I flew was 55hours, and that was actively trying to get trips/overnights every day I worked. It all just depends on how many people are above you and if there are any good trips in open time.

 

To the OP, if you live in the west coast the best thing to do is go to SKW, good company and the better the commute the better your QOL will be.

 

+1.

Not to mention, they have a plan, new airplanes,growing, lots of flying for legacies and best of all:
No ALPA.

 

How many airplanes are they expected to park? Also what happens when they get "realigned" with other Delta carriers in 2 years?

You're right, it IS fun to be a tool like RJ Pilot!

 

Sure, they will park planes and get replacements. We are parking planes with NO replacements.