nopantsILS

2 weeks off a few months out of training in March? I'd say your only bet would be to plan to drop some cash on the trips and hope for the best. If you have a RSV line you're pretty much screwed.

I overheard a 1st year pilot trying to get a Chief to give him a week off for a cruise. It did not end how he envisioned.... this was a very pro pilot CP.

The company is being very active in how they chase down sick/emer calls now, especially on the first year. A few weeks ago in ORD the leadership sent an email out to every pilot who called in sick over a random weekend demanding a doctors note. The days of racking up 10+ and not hearing a peep are over. I'd have to assume the cross checking of travel, CASS, and KCM is taking place on anyone in question.

CBreezy

I think this is a good reminder about social media. The only people should be able to see your profile are your friends. Your life isn't that important that you need to share with the whole world.

Turbosina

This right here. I've seen $200 for locals and $500 for 4-days posted...

elmetal

So instead of the airline staffing properly to allow drops, we pay to have someone else work for us. So essentially the money they save on no reserves, we spend on giving away trips...


That 1% sure tastes good....

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Flyinlynn

Thanks all for the suggestions. I certainly don't want to mess up my job but birthdays that end in zero that your family wants to make a big event out of and all that...

If I can manage to at least get a week that would be ok. Hey, anyone here want some cash for flights in late March early April lol

Of course first I have to interview first which will be happening Friday next week. I just wanted to get a feel for what my options might be.

Thanks again

RemoveB4Flight

Brace yourself. This career will have you missing more than just birthday parties. Holidays, family/friend gatherings, kids events/milestones (possibly births).
Not meaning to be negative, just want to make sure you understand since it sounds like this might be your first go at a 121.
That being said, it is fairly easy to manipulate your schedule as you get more seniority depending on how long you need off and what time of year.

Flyinlynn

Thanks while new to 121 I am hardly new to life. This will be my "big six oh" Birthday so that is the reason for the hoopla.

I am what some call a late in life career changer. Took early retirement making significantly more than FO pay to follow a dream.

Just need to figure out how to swing this one thing then I can work every day until the day before my 65th five and a half years from now.

Utah

Just to add on to what others have posted... You'll really need to be a line holder to have a good chance to pull this off. DTW on the CRJ is about the only place that might happen at this point. I seriously doubt anyone hired into the 175 in the next few months will be off reserve at that point. Take the CRJ and transfer to your domicile of choice after March.

You'll get what we call Gold Days which are guaranteed days off with no credit associated with them. I believe if you are hired this fall you'll receive five of them for the next year (we get five every calendar year). Come January 1st use those five days spread out over 8 days or so for the time you want off. Bid the days off around them in your PBS bid. Also be willing to let PBS give you anything during the other times of the month. You'll also want to waive minimum credit and bid down to minimum hours. With your seniority it more than likely will not honor that request but give it a try. PBS is still probably going to load up your schedule with 85+ hours. If it gives you locals in between your gold days post them on the swap board. Split Duties are easy to give away in my domicile. I don't know how it is in DTW. You might want to bid those in higher layers. Also bid one day off between work blocks and the property (which I cant remember what it's called) that allows a higher amount of block in 7 days.

Your best bet is to celebrate your birthday at the end of the month and try to get the end of March and beginning of April off. Stuffing that 85+ hours of credit into a month where you are taking nearly two weeks of is almost impossible.

You'll find that a lot of crew members celebrate holidays, etc.. on the days that they don't fall on. Until you get some seniority in your seat you might want to plan on it.

CBreezy

A birthday is just another day. Get your schedule and move it to another day that you have off. Problem solved the shift worker way.

Flyinlynn

True to me a birthday is just another day just the family is planning a big party (aviation theme) going out of their way hiring catering and musicians etc. So would kind of be a bummer if the guest of honor can't make it.

So like I said just trying to figure out how I can best accomplish this one thing getting few days off on either side of April 1 the day they are planning the party. Other than that I will work every day they want.