Originally Posted by Cougs (Post 3255812)

How often is field standby used? Are there limits, how often do you get called out for field standby? Do you get paid more and how long can they keep you there?
My wife and I are starting to think about where we want to go and pick at the drop. I want to live as far from the city as possible, but still be within SC limits and not make life really difficult, hence all the questions. Thanks everyone.

Originally Posted by ThumbsUp (Post 3255833)

You don’t get paid more per FSB, but you do get extra pay if you have a number of unused SC or FSBs in a bid period. Each FSB block is 4 hours, although you could get a trip assigned that departs at 5 hours after the start of the duty period. How many you get is a moving target that you can’t really predict, but no more than you would get assigned a trip or SC. There’s a hierarchy game you play on reserve to get your preferred assignments (trip/SC/FSB/LC) that you’ll learn to play.

Originally Posted by sigler (Post 3255846)

How often is switching bases available within the same fleet? Can you only switch on vacancy awards and base trades with other pilots?

Originally Posted by Cougs (Post 3255812)

How often is field standby used? Are there limits, how often do you get called out for field standby? Do you get paid more and how long can they keep you there?
My wife and I are starting to think about where we want to go and pick at the drop. I want to live as far from the city as possible, but still be within SC limits and not make life really difficult, hence all the questions. Thanks everyone.

Originally Posted by ugleeual (Post 3255852)

Normally a vacancy bid… but no limit on how frequent you switch bases… either method works; trade or vacancy bid.

Originally Posted by Larry in TN (Post 3255525)

Nobody knows. The current number is a long time because there haven't been any new-hires since early 2020. With lots of new-hires in the pike, the time will be pretty short on the 737. Probably still a couple of years on the 756 but that will depend on when, and how robustly, the 756 to Europe flying returns. I did 2-1/2 months of reserve on the 737 in EWR in 2015 when we were hiring rapidly.


IAD is the other nearby domicile but fewer flights, less growth, higher seniority levels, and a smaller base all work against you. ORD is more senior.


I did the crashpads at the Country Inn & Suites. Inexpensive and I didn't spend a lot of time there as I was a lineholder.

Originally Posted by ThumbsUp (Post 3255638)

Similar to what Larry said:
1. No one knows.
2. EWR should be the easiest commute, particularly given that you have multiple airport options in the NY area.
3. I ditched a crashpad after a few months and just went with hotels. There are many options, some better than others and they are covered ad nauseum in other other topics.
4. Hard to gauge as flying is not yet quite normal, but explaining reserve at United is impossible until you've seen it. Under normal circumstances, you'll get used during your blocks for something. The best way to control your fate is to pick up a trip/SC/FSB if your commute is hard or prefer having more of a say in your schedule. If the commute is super easy, though, you may not care and just go up when they give you something.
5. If you have lots of flights scattered throughout the day and have no problems getting on them due to seniority, you should have no problems sitting LC from home.