You are correct.

 

Is there a drop in pay moving from year one to year two because of the bonus?

Or does holding a line plus a bit of open time make it come out about even?

 

Just did the math real quick. If you're holding a line you'll be equal or better second year. If you're on reserve still, a few open time pickups will make it equal.

 

Can reserve pilots pick up open time?

 

Absolutely. Everything you pick up goes over guarantee too. If you want to work you can make a lot extra even on reserve. The NYC bases have a lot of open time.

 

The previous poster was correct that reserves can pick up open time, but left out that it's only on days off. You cannot pickup open time on your reserve days. You can call scheduling and ask to fly, but YMMV with the results of that. The only caveat is you can proactively pick up trips on long call reserve. For me being a commuter, I enjoy my days off and don't want to commute for extra pay. If you live in base, you can decide for yourself if you want to pick up trips on days off (only 12 on reserve).

 

Thanks for clarifying that. ^This is all correct.

 

As a live-in-base reserve guy, I hunt for open time that meets at least one of several criteria:

1. Includes at least one day on a day off. That gives me extra pay.
2. Runs up against, but not into, a reserve sequence. That puts me last or nearly last in the list of guys who will be used in that sequence.
3. Occupies the first day or two of a five-day sequence. This, again, puts me at the bottom of the list to be used for the rest of the sequence.

Even if a trip occupies a reserve day Scheduling/Crew Support will let you pick it up. Just call and ask. If it's too far out, you will need to request the trip add in FLICA and get denied, then contact Crew Support. They put it on your schedule no questions asked nine times out of ten. Strategic use of open time has got me extra pay, more days at home, or some combination thereof more than once.

 

Thanks, sounds better than Xjet. Reserves here can only pick up on days off if it's red flag, and there must be a 48 break between the end of that trip and the beginning of your next RAP.

But I hear RAH has very short reserve in EWR, so it's not a big deal for me.

 

Is ORD only United?

And I haven't heard anyone talking about IAH anymore. A few pages back that was mentioned. Is that still in the talks?
Kinda looks like Mesa has more IAH routes than Republic.