It’s not just availability. There’s no UPA requirement to use an available reserve before PP to a lineholder. Sometimes, like now, they anticipate more sick calls so they are more aggressive in keeping some reserves reserved. I saw a text notification this weekend for 150% 3 day, two days before it started. It was over the 24th and 25th and they just don’t want to be out of reserves on those days.

Also, reserves get premium pay to fly on their days off.

Are sick calls allowed on Blitz Days?

I think "blitz" is actually German for "sick." Google it.

I love the sarcasm!! A Blitz to/on you! Sounds like a bad replacement for Billy beer, or a medieval curse.

Uhhh...not usually on the global fleets. You need to be on a VRDO to get that bennie. Instead, the typical way to get a reserve to fly on days off is to give everyone in the 3-6 day silos a SC then roll the days off if a reserve with only 1-2 days remaining. The days get restored, but no add pay. Maybe on domestic add pay is more common...

It all depends on how you do the VRDO's. On the front end, yes you get add pay for the entire trip. ON the back end, only on the day you had the VRDO. If you are smart about it, it works, even on the global fleets.

Thanks for quoting the contract. Now reread my post.