Reserve sucks now for sure. Agreed no flexibility. Until pbs you are allowed to drop days from one block outside in. Which when DOT opens is like playing Russian roulette with a slow moving target. DOT is so slow and takes hours to process so it gets really hard to guess which reserve block you have the best chance of dropping days. Once pbs starts and you are on reserve you are screwed basically no dropping at all. If I still have the great misfortune to be on reserve when pbs starts I will commute to a base where I can hold a line.


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Do you live in base now? You’re saying you would commute from one base to another just for a line?

 

Reserve info:
I do not live on base and NEVER checker-boarded, neither did I support that practice, although absolutely within that CBA.
When I bid reserve, I was awarded my first choice, which helped in getting transitions regularly.
I worked two blocks and always flew, for minimum hotel stay.

Under the new CBA, it has gotten far worse.
Very hard to drop.
Since we gave them X/Y lists and limited drops...CS does not need us, and does not play "nice" anymore.
It may be just me, since I don't work out "deals", but they won't even release you 1hr early... on your last day?!
They play games with the new FOs, by trying to get them to violate the CBA, assuming they are misinformed or intimidated.
I have flown with junior reserve FOs who were given "tough" choices...
Be intimately familiar with Sect.25 for rescheduling and reserve rules.
Call the scheduling committee if in doubt, the chairman is extremely helpful.

In brief, Reserve has become undesirable under the new "CBA".
It will become unbearable under PBS, and that is forever!

Oh, but we got 43% ...

 

Yes I live in base now and if I can’t hold a line by the time pbs starts I will commute to a base where I can. It honestly crossed my mind now.....


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We still get auto released 6 hours prior to the end of our last RAP if not called. Even a few years ago when I was on reserve I could never get CS to release me more than 6 hours prior. I won’t argue that reserve QOL took a hit under the new CBA but I also have noticed that a lot of senior guys still appear to be bidding it. As far as the X/Y list goes, it’s far superior to the old junior manning system.

 

So how long could a new hire expect to sit reserve before holding a line at the various bases?

 

right now it looks like about 9 months to a year from date of hire to hold a composite/relief line/ maybe a hard line.

 

Huge announcement on Monday? Hmmmmmmmmm. The last “big” announcement was underwhelming about Wi-Fi. Would love a big aircraft order to facilitate growth (and accelerate upgrade opportunities)...

 

I would highly advise against this. As a seven year commuter that lives in base that wouldn’t even enter my mind. No doubt reserve took a hit in the new CBA but as mentioned earlier we still have some very sernior pilots bidding it so it can’t be that bad otherwise we would only see those unable to hold a line on reserve and that’s not the case in all bases. I can agree that interactions with scheduling have become a bit more tense as they fight to set precedent on how section 25 is interpreted. I’ve correceted them on a few things that I’d consider “oversights” not blatant disregard for the contract. I don’t think it’s out of the question that they would try to “trick” new FOs but I don’t think it’s a cultural norm over in Miramar either. Knowing your contract is paramount as always and remain professional on the phone.

If you are getting beat up on reserve AND live in base I would suggest bidding the least used RAP. This can be easily found out by talking to other reserve pilots. No one wants you to come steal their line so I suggest talking to guys senior to you if you want truthful answers. I know that in some bases that QOL can range from unbearable to down right desirable depending on RAP.

 

Thanks, I’ve commuted for years before this job so I know the game. It’s not so much getting “beat up” on reserve as the loss of flexibility to work around my wife’s schedule. After over a year on reserve (closer to two) I am absolutely willing to commute to have a line and flexibility again.


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