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2014 SWA life on reserve.

Old 03-01-2014, 08:43 AM
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FMI
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Default 2014 SWA life on reserve.

Seeking some "current" perspective from anyone who has just completed their 1st year at SWA commuting and doesn't mind answering a few questions.
OAK/LAS given, curious as to how much time you were able to spend at home in 2013?
Have you flown the majority of your time on reserve?
I understand the crash pad availability to be nil in OAK, how much $$ have you had to spend for hotel expenses?
Overall with everything considered, glad you joined SWA?
Your outlook for 2014 regarding another year on rsv, etc.
Welcome to pm if preferred.
Thnx in advance,

FMI
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Old 03-01-2014, 04:09 PM
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Great question.
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Old 03-02-2014, 07:52 AM
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I'm waiting for a class assignment. Probably April 2 or 30th. I'm expecting to be on reserve most likely OAK maybe LAS. Currently I live in Los Angeles and would appreciate some insight.
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Old 03-02-2014, 08:00 AM
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I've got an email out to a buddy of mine who finished training Mid.-Jan. I'll see if I can post some info.

He was awarded LAS and commutes from DEN.
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Old 03-02-2014, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by FMI View Post
Seeking some "current" perspective from anyone who has just completed their 1st year at SWA commuting and doesn't mind answering a few questions.
OAK/LAS given, curious as to how much time you were able to spend at home in 2013?
Have you flown the majority of your time on reserve?
I understand the crash pad availability to be nil in OAK, how much $$ have you had to spend for hotel expenses?
Overall with everything considered, glad you joined SWA?
Your outlook for 2014 regarding another year on rsv, etc.
Welcome to pm if preferred.
Thnx in advance,

FMI
I will try and give some insight with the caveat that I don't meet your criteria of just finishing my first year at SWA.

The folks that just finished their first year may not give you your most accurate perspective. Those just finishing up year one now have 260 new hires coming on board behind them. If this round of hiring is not followed by new hires then the tail end of this most recent group will effectively get stuck much like those hired in the last phases of hiring in 2008 were stuck for nearly 2 years due to lack of new hires moving them up the list. The last new hires in'08 were effectively unable to remove themselves from OAK if they desired, because it was all their seniority would hold.

That being said, SWA carries less reserves than most other airlines because we have many less training events due to the single fleet type. Our reserves lines run somewhere between 8-10% of the line totals. Because of this, most can get off reserve more quickly than at other airlines. Reserve F.O.'s normally fly the vast majority of their reserve days. I only spent about 3 or 4 months on reserve and I would estimate I was assigned flying duties 90-95% of my reserve days.

Reserve lines will have a minimum 15 days off. No long call reserve so all reserve shifts have a 2 hour call out. Reserve lines are generally non-commutable on one end. AM reserve begins very early AM, and PM reserve begins around 11- 11:30AM. Some can commute in the day of a PM reserve shift but you will need to have flight options that get you to work on time. Call in honest policy requires 1 SWA flight that is scheduled to arrive 1 hour prior to report time or 2 flights on SWA or off line that will allow your arrival before scheduled show time.

In general if there are 50-100 new hires below you at any given time you will have at least some mobility system wide. Current bid packs show 30 reserve lines in OAK (10%), LAS 33 (10%) and PHX 39 (10%). Theoretically, if you were 50 from the bottom of the seniority list, you could hold a line in OAK indefinitely. Only 50 below you would probably also allow you some movement to other bases, but most likely those would be the western bases of OAK, LAS or PHX. However, if you end up stuck in the bottom 30 or so of the list you would probably be looking at OAK reserve until some new hires move you up the list. I hope that sheds some light on it for you.
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Old 03-02-2014, 09:41 AM
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Thanks shoe, and what are the rules as far as picking up open time as a reserve? Is it allowed?
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Old 03-02-2014, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Roper92 View Post
Thanks shoe, and what are the rules as far as picking up open time as a reserve? Is it allowed?
Again, you will fly a lot on reserve! However, you are allowed to pick up open time and any open time picked up from the company on days off pays at 2nd year pay.
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Old 03-02-2014, 11:47 AM
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What time does am reserve start? Is reserve a 12 hour day?
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Old 03-02-2014, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by shoelu View Post
Again, you will fly a lot on reserve! However, you are allowed to pick up open time and any open time picked up from the company on days off pays at 2nd year pay.
True at face value. Just would like to add that if you drop below your originally awarded line guarantee, you are at 1st year pay until you "re-reach" said trips for pay. Example, some senior dude calls you on day 3 of your 4 day reserve and says I'll sit that for you and you can commute home, you lose 6 tfp and must replenish before you get 2nd year pay.

I learned this after the fact. They don't always tell you the real deal in new hire class
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Old 03-02-2014, 01:23 PM
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Contract paragraph:

Beginning one year after the ratification date, first year First Officers that fly open time that exceeds their original line total for the month will be paid at second year rates for all open time, plus any applicable premium associated with the open time.
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