How does the system work under the new contract for getting the 18 day, 15 day, or 7 on/7 off? Is it a seniority based bid system?

Can you get bumped off your schedule by someone senior, or once you're working one of the schedules it's yours until you want to try and change?

Where are new hires going into the mix and how are the different schedules playing out seniority wise (assuming it's seniority based)? How long should a new hire expect to stay on whichever schedule they're initially assigned and what would be a reasonable expectation time wise to move 'up' to the other 2 schedules?

Thanks for the info!

There is a new bid every 4 months now and once per year the bid will allow people to be bumped from their 7 and 7 if they aren't senior enough anymore to hold it. The 18 day is voluntary outside of training and up to 40 percent of the pilots can choose this schedule if wanted. The first bid period for this had about 20 percent overall choose it and very few (I beleive only some Encore + captains) who wanted it couldn't hold it by seniority. The 15 day schedule is capped at 10 percent and the can be junior assigned, though the company didn't force the full 10 percent this last bid period. It is also by seniority. Both the 18 day and 15 day schedules must be bid each period and you could be bumped from getting them each period.

All new hires are on the 18 day schedule until they are at least started with IOE I believe. Once they are eligible to bid they should be able to hold whichever type schedule they want. The harder part will be holding the desired 7 and 7 start day that they prefer since the 7 and 7 starts that have Christmas and Thanksgiving off tend to go the most senior. The training process is not as backed up as it was before, but my guess is at least the first 3 months and maybe up to 7 or 8 on the 18 day schedule if training is delayed and a bid period ends just before eligibility to bid.

Could someone post an example of their schedule?

Would the 18 Day fixed be like - 4 on 3 off, or does it vary?

Thanks

that's the beauty about NetJets. If you want $$$$, you get on the 18 day schedule. Or bid for the 15 schedule, volunteer for extended days, work on holidays, shoot for OT, and you could make as much as the 18-day guys.

If QOL is what you're after (like yours truly), then the 7/7 would work just nicely. I need money, but I like being home too much. They can keep their 18/15 schedules, over-time, extended days and all that. At the end of my 7 day tour, just send me home. On day 7, if my airline home leaves at 5:00 am, even better.

there's something for everybody here (provided your # can hold it)

On the 18 day schedule you will rarely go out less than 5 or 6 days. There is nothing set so it will be different each month. I have been scheduled to 17 days so far for the last two months and for next month also. This month I did an 8 day stretch and I'll start a 7 day soon. Then I'll have 4 off and work the last 2 days (and first 5 of next month). I have almost a 7 and 7 next month with all 7 day tours and a 6 day off stretch and a 7 day off stretch. It has worked out great for me so far. I haven't had a tour shorter than 5 days so far.

..... I just finished up my 4th "Four-day" trip in a row.. (4on/ 3off, 4on/ 3off, 4on/ 3off, 4on....) Starting to feel like I work for an airline again....

I get 4 days off this time, and then get to do my first 8-day trip!!!

I think I would like a 4 on/ 3 off schedule every once in a while, but I am surprised they have done it with you. It is just so inefficient with all the airlining that we have to do on the first and last days. I guess nothing that scheduling does here should surprise me though.

How productive are you on days 1 and 4?

Also, did you ask for the short tours on your preference worksheet?

Surprisingly, they've been able to use me quite a bit. Of course, I'm PBI-based and have been starting and finishing a lot of trips down here in South Florida.

I've only had to airline twice in the last month or so.

If I were based anywhere other than South Florida during the winter, (with all of the "snow-bird" traffic wer're getting this time of year) I doubt I'd be enjoying such a "cushy" sched on the 18-day.

Once Summer rolls-around, I'll probably be airlining-around a lot more and will most likely say "goodbye" to the 4/3's.

-- FWIW I requested "balanced time off" on the pref sheet --

How likley are you to be flown out of or close to your base on day 1? AKA, I live in Seattle - would I start tours airlining it to CLT or would they try to start me close to home?