Wait until you get to do it under the new TA.

This TA provides savings (many millions of $$$$) for the company in the form of even greater efficiency out of it's reserve pilots. Yet, only a fraction of that is going towards compensation for reserve pilots. Well, OK, as a reserve pilot I'm used to that. On the 88 especially we've made sacrifices for the rest of the pilot group for a while now. MD-88 F/Os had to live with an LOA that allowed the company to ignore TLV contract requirements so those above us could stay in their overstaffed wide-body categories and thus get a better seniority number out of the SLI when the merger took place. Add to that being the only category that gets paid separate rates for the multiple aircraft flown, and taking on additional responsibility and passengers as we brought the modified 88 & 90 online with more seats without any increase in pay. Yes, we're finally getting what the rest our pilot brethren have had for a while by being paid the higher of the two wages, but nothing for the additional passengers (REVENUE) we're delivering for the company. But I digress.

So now reserves are again giving more to get less out of this TA. With the bucket system in place anyone on reserve who's under 80% of the reserve coverage should be ready to get a kick in the jimmy out of this TA. More days on during the peak months, more short calls, and less QOL which was already pretty $H!++y to begin with. 85, 90, 95, +? Reserve-hours for June thru August. And ignore the examples you're given that show how much scheduling can fly you with two weeks of vacation thrown in because if you're on reserve you're not getting vacation during those months they are gong to fly you to death.

Enjoy.

Except for the money, of course. That won't suck.

I actually don't think reserve sucks at all. I live in base and rarely fly from Labor Day to Memorial Day. If they want me to work just a little more for extra money then fine.

Btw reserves are getting an even bigger bump starting July 1st. Using the average (projected) Rsv guarantee of 75.5, reserves will get an ADDITIONAL 7.9% on top of the 4,8,3,3 deal we've been dissecting.

I already fly most on-call days in the summer anyways under our current contract. If they want a little more flexibility for the extra $, that's fine with me.

Oh, and you'll be senior someday (sorry I couldn't resist, you're probably senior to me)

I've been scheduled to work on each of the 7 days I've been on reserve this month. I doubt I'm senior to you.

Chase the money all you want, I'd rather have my health. Something tells me I'll need the dough to cover my increased medical when Delta is done chewing me up and spitting me out.

Yep, i thought when we had the SC bucket, things would be a bit more predictable. But guess what, if they are short, ie on the weekends, you can count on them to give SC to you even when you've already sit 4 SC already. We need to have better visibility in how SC are assigned as wel. Too many things are up to scheduler discretion.

I maxed out on short calls the last two months in a row. Only once previously had I maxed out on short call in the last 5 years. The TA (contract extension) provides for more of this and more reserve usage if you look at the big picture and realize that we are going to be running very short in the future... well, more short calls, more flying, less premium pay and less staffing.

Then add in scope to that....

Yeah, there will be another 100-150 guys who will be on reserve due to growth. That stinks.

Bid NYC or MSP on the 88/90. Get a line, and a life. If you can't handle reserve, try a line somewhere you can hold one. It will change your way of thinking quick. Really, unless you are a newhire, reserve is a choice. And some of the medical costs for certain programs went down with this TA. Ask ACL65.

Jesse could bid the 717, get paid more than he is making now on the 88, have a line and a life, and be happy. Tears of joy!

If you are thinking of bidding a line as a junior lineholder in msp, unless you live in base, expect to utilize the lazy boyz in the lounge quite a bit. Lots of first flight from msp-atl and last flight in from dtw-msp. I dont think i've seen the west coast ever.