Thanks for the good news, Tee1Up and jaded
Now patience ...

Just an update, I got the drug test email yesterday.

This year we've hired 30 so far, 5 classes of six pilots each. I think another 30 is reasonable before the year ends. There's a class of pilots on July 17. I don't know the size but I would guess 6-8. The email update said "at least" 22 newhires but I've heard 30. My best guess would be one class per month of 6 pilots July-December, with maybe one month skipped.

Good news, sounds like a second class date is coming. thx jaded. Congrats!

Just had new COO on Jumpseat. Starting July classes of 6 every 2-3 weeks for the foreseeable future. Financials are looking stellar going into July and future compensation package enhancements are being discussed for pilots. Nice guy, I'm glad I had the op to speak with him.

Great news 4andCounting! Thanks for keeping the information flowing.

Agreed, glad to hear good news, hopefully it continues!

It sounds like the lines are great with lots of days off, but can anybody shed some light on reserve QOL? (It's reserve, so not great of course but..) I've heard they try to start you later on your first day and release you early on your last- does scheduling really stick to that? (I'll be commuting so..) How does the 12 hour callout work- I'm guessing scheduling assigns that based on rsv seniority? Is it by month or on a week by week basis? Also, aprox how many guys are on reserve per base.. is SFO or LAX considered 'junior' or are they about the same? Do you fly most of the time or spend some nights in the crash pad?
Thanks in advance guys, the info is appreciated!

Someone currently on reserve at VX can chime in, I can only answer a little of this. The first key thing I would say you should do is when your reserve schedule comes out, put your VDO (Virgin Day off) at the start of every stretch of days off. If you don't put VDOs at the end of your reserve stretch, you risk that chance they may use you and force a trip that runs well into your first day off. So make sure you put VDOs on every first day off from a reserve stretch!
VDOs per the *new* work rules agreement cannot be touched with work unless unintentional operation into it, like a delayed flight due to weather/maintenance.

The 12 hr callout you mention is long call reserve LCR. Recently, due to "attrition and shortage" they haven't done LCR lines, and just regular short call reserve which I think is still a 2 hr callout. Every bid month you get 12 days off and a 75 hr guarantee. As for starting reserve, I believe most stretch of 5 day reserve is with a 3:30pm availability the first day. I know I commuted in the first day on reserve. As for the last day there is no guarantee when you'll get done. If you don't have at trip assigned by that last day there is a chance they can release you early on that last day. But I think recently being as short as they are, you can get a trip and finish at 10pm on your last day, with the chance you can't commute home that night.

Reserves are percentages of pilot total in the base. It's around 10%. 18 crews in JFK, 10% means 1.8 pilots so 2 reserves there. SFO I think is 178ish so about 17-18 reserves there. SFO and LAX are junior and newhires from April can hold LAX already. As for flying on reserve, last year I didn't fly much. I think I did 45-55 hrs or so. It was no where close to guarantee. However, I think with attrition and the new rest rules coming up, I think our reserves are being kept busy. Make sure you use the VDOs as described above, that will be a huge QOL issue you can avoid.

Heads up to anyone starting new hire school soon. Around 1 week prior to your class date you will receive an online training module called Pelesys; you will receive this from the training department. Word of advise: have this completed prior to attending class. Life will be better, while you are in training, if you make this happen.