I use non-TSO Clarity Alofts at OO on the CRJ. Except for the earbuds coming off at inopportune times, I like them.

Can someone please explain the current reserve rules and some bidding stuff?


When do you bid?
When are schedules finalized?
Can you trade/drop trips ?
How many days reserve per month with a 2 hour window?
How many days per month airport standby?
When does am vs pm reserve start and end?
Is long call reserve still pretty senior?
Can they give you a trip outside of your reserve times?

My class date is not until late fall, but I want to know what I am getting myself into

Unless I misunderstood the times during my interview on Friday, the reserve times were 0400-1600 and 0900-2100. Someone please correct me if I caught that wrong.

New American Eagle planes...
 

I've noticed that prior to entering service for American Eagle there is a number of 9000 series flights between Maintenance bases. Usually a short stay between flights...probably just gassing up.

Here is the latest example: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N872DC

What is the purpose(s) of these flights? Are they mandated by the FAA or is it just a Skywest thing? An American Eagle thing? I haven't noticed other carriers doing this when they take on a frame from another operator.

I'll try to answer a few of these. I don't typically sit reserve.

We bid the month prior starting at 9am mountain on the 10th until 9 am on the 15th. Schedules are published no later than 9 am on the 18th, but we typically receive them 12-18 hours prior. Unless you get a composite line, which requires reserve days to be added, you'll know your next months schedule by the 18th.

At 8pm mountain on the 22nd, line holders can try to drop trips, assuming there is adequate reserve coverage (which there seldom is), or post trips for other pilots to pick up. You can also swap trips with company open time, or pick up trips from other crewmembers. Reserves are pretty much left out of this stuff.

I think there are 19? or 18 days of reserve. It's usually in blocks of 3-5 days. typically 4am-4pm, or 9am-9pm, though some bases vary. Those are just the callout times. You can be assigned flying during anytime during those days. A 9-9 reserve can be assigned a 5am showtime. And a 4-4 reserve can be released on the last day well after 4pm.

I'm not sure how senior LC reserve is. I have heard that LC get used first and can get converted to short call as well.

Airport ready reserve is getting used a ton right now. Daily 8 hour shifts of ready for a lot of the reserves. I don't think there is any limit on how much ready can be assigned. It does count towards breaking guarantee though on a 2 for 1 basis. 8 hours = 4hours credit.

There is a proffering system for reserves to bid on open time trips. I've never used it and don't know how it works.

As a reserve you can also put a call first preference on the callout list if you want to try to fly more. It based on seniority in you callout bucket. Supposedly the most junior in the bucket is to get called first. A call first preference would give the senior reserve the opportunity to get the trip. A "bucket" is how many days of availability you have, and I think it also depends on if you are am or pm reserve. Again I have sat very little reserve and someone else might need to clarify.

SAPA publishes a reserve guide. I haven't read it in years, but I'm sure the info in it is better than mine.

The pilot policy manual (PPM) isn't really covered in training. I suggest that when you have some down time to read it from front to back. (sitting ready) Perhaps several times. Almost all of the questions that are asked on the SkyWest FB page can be answered in there. The company occasionally follows it.

Same thing with the PBS guide. Read that several times. It won't really matter your first several months, but rally try to figure out how everything works. Some people have absolutely no idea how to bid.

They are repositioning flights, typically just the two pilots onboard, bringing a plane to a maintenance base or bringing it from one into a hub to start its flying

Thanks Utah-- that clears a ton of stuff up for me. My class is not until November and my skywestonline is still in "pilot pathway" so I don't have access to anything. Can you answer how long the current pilot contract is for. I know it was voted on in Nov 18- so I would guess its coming up for renewal

The pay scale gets bumped up another 1% next January. Nothing else scheduled beyond that. Theoretically we'd be working on a new pay package at the end of next year. It could happen sooner or even much later. It all depends on how difficult staffing becomes.

They are currently working on reserve rule changes. That might be done in a few months.

I know there's a joke about working at "mainline" if you fly the 175 here, but the real consideration ought to be reserve/line holder. Holding a line is like working at an entirely different company versus sitting reserve. The QOL is incredibly different between the two. It's the primary reason FOs don't take the first upgrade available.

So...kind of getting ahead of myself, but quick SkyWestOnline question.

Does anyone know how long after receiving/accepting a CJO that the website will change from a pilot pathway page to the F/O display?

I know I don’t have anything to do, but would like to see if I can use some resources.

Thanks!


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