thanks, I was just telling another guy how I hope that MD11 type rating might come in handy for something after all.

I had a pretty weird schedule this bid period but I needed some specific time off. 2 days off and then a 12 day intra europe trip. Easy flying, nice three day layover in Cologne, but a long time away for me. The good news, the next 13 days off

Coming up is a 4 on over to Europe and back, then 8 off. Nine on with two crossings to Europe and another three day weekend in Germany (can you say wine cruise?), and then 8 off.

Looks like 25 days on out of a 56 day bid period. About 5 hours of overtime. Come to work three times. Some of the trips begin with positioning airline tickets.

BUT ... being hired in the very early 90's SHOULD have its benefits !!!

Know what you are saying. FO was hired mid 90's. Just an example of what is out there. Someday you'll get a permanent domicile and a line

I'm hoping for 1 out of 2 in 2008 !

Face it - you are going to be on reserve so look at that first.

Domestic - 15 in a 28 day pay period, usually 7 or 8 on in a row with the balance of the next week off. May be in blocks of 4 or 5 depending on the fleet. A300 has many lines with all 15 in one block but they do international too.

International - Usually the whole thing in one block, 15 on in one block then 13 off in one block. I am not sure if they have any shorter blocks in those fleets.

I am a domestic guy so someone please correct me if I get any of this wrong.

Seniority on reserve at UPS doesn't matter for much. Bidding your on-call period at the time of schedule bid (which remains the same for the 56 day bid) and preferencing open trips the day prior is about all you get for your seniority (and the dates off too.) Once the period starts the order of calling is determined by the number of hours you have been on duty that bid period (taking into account your days of availability and stuff like if you are running out of landing currency.)

You get the same 75 hour/28 day guarantee as a line holder.

Right now the DC-8 seems pretty tame. DC-8 folks are flying less than half their days on (at least that's me). Other fleets might be working most of their days on (A-300 has in the past.)

We get a fair amount of days off on reserve compared to some other airlines. I know AA has 19 on in a month. Many commuters (excuse me - Regionals) have 20 in a month. At least you can commute to reserve while you are stuck on it here and still have a life.

I hope that helps. Best of luck!!

gremlin

I've flown 44 hours this year on reserve at UPS. I wouldn't knock it.

Aren't they shrinking ONT because of that?

We lost 7 Capts. I don't see much change thanks to the open time being picked up.

hope your cushy lifestyle continues