How do I maximize time off?
12-26-2021, 05:40 PM
#21
Banned
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Posts: 294
Originally Posted by Cougs
I guess I don’t see it as entitled. I’m not trying to get sweet layovers, or commutable lines, or deadheads with lots of soft time, or trips with LCAs that get bought. I literally want to fly my MPG as quickly as possible, and go home to my family. 5 hours per day is a terrible batting average, especially when you’ve got a 89 hour month. Put me in coach. I’ll get 8 hours of block time a day if I can manage it. I’ve got 4 young kids and all I want is time with them. I’ve tried dropping and trading trips that CCS says are legal and I have yet to get a trip traded (I’m trading into open time trips or trips that other guys want to drop). I’ve used BidNav without any success (asked for low credit line, got 89 hours). Maybe this is part of the learning curve? Perhaps this is just the way it is, and my expectations of time away from work are unrealistic? I’m still trying to figure it out, but if I’m away from home 18 days a month, my wife is going to make me find a different job.
With that said “average credit per day >6 hours” works pretty well but you have to learn how to use it amongst all the other commands in PBS. I used bid nav until it taught me enough about the system to do it on my own then canceled it. I recommend doing the same.
12-26-2021, 06:49 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,376
If you’re using Bidnav, you not receiving your preferences is simply a consequence of your seniority. It’s moving pretty quickly, though, so it won’t last forever.
Given the minimal, if any time, new hires are spending on reserve, you may also want to look at the potential of bidding reserve until your seniority allows you a better line. If you’re commuting from a larger airport with lots of flights to your domicile or covered airports, you’d probably be at home much more than with a line.
Given the minimal, if any time, new hires are spending on reserve, you may also want to look at the potential of bidding reserve until your seniority allows you a better line. If you’re commuting from a larger airport with lots of flights to your domicile or covered airports, you’d probably be at home much more than with a line.
12-26-2021, 09:08 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 425
Originally Posted by Cougs
We are moving to base next month.
12-27-2021, 04:21 AM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2011
Posts: 170
Originally Posted by Beaver Hunter
I see a future divorce for you. Wives should understand and be part of the solution, not harass you for working. Jeez!!
12-27-2021, 04:48 AM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 376
Originally Posted by Cougs
Perhaps this is just the way it is, and my expectations of time away from work are unrealistic? I’m still trying to figure it out, but if I’m away from home 18 days a month, my wife is going to make me find a different job.
12-27-2021, 07:31 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
Originally Posted by Beaver Hunter
I see a future divorce for you. Wives should understand and be part of the solution, not harass you for working. Jeez!!
12-27-2021, 07:38 AM
#28
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2011
Posts: 69
You said you’re moving to base-that’ll help a lot.
Even being junior, it shouldn’t be that hard to get schedules where you’re flying four 4 days per month. Once you’re living in base, you’ll be working 16 days/mo and gone for 12 nights/mo. Until you get more senior I don’t think you’re going to do much better than that.
As another poster said, fly the trips starting with redeyes-not fun for you but gives you a lot more family time.
Maybe try 3-4 bid groups with only 2 commands:
-a Set command for max credit
-award work
Over the 3-4 bid groups start the set command with 75 then relax it to 78, 83, then 85 hours.
-make sure you put bid groups after the 4th one just in case it fails.
Hope it works out for you and your family.
Even being junior, it shouldn’t be that hard to get schedules where you’re flying four 4 days per month. Once you’re living in base, you’ll be working 16 days/mo and gone for 12 nights/mo. Until you get more senior I don’t think you’re going to do much better than that.
As another poster said, fly the trips starting with redeyes-not fun for you but gives you a lot more family time.
Maybe try 3-4 bid groups with only 2 commands:
-a Set command for max credit
-award work
Over the 3-4 bid groups start the set command with 75 then relax it to 78, 83, then 85 hours.
-make sure you put bid groups after the 4th one just in case it fails.
Hope it works out for you and your family.
12-27-2021, 09:36 AM
#29
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2010
Position: Transition
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by Cougs
I guess I don’t see it as entitled. I’m not trying to get sweet layovers, or commutable lines, or deadheads with lots of soft time, or trips with LCAs that get bought. I literally want to fly my MPG as quickly as possible, and go home to my family. 5 hours per day is a terrible batting average, especially when you’ve got a 89 hour month. Put me in coach. I’ll get 8 hours of block time a day if I can manage it. I’ve got 4 young kids and all I want is time with them. I’ve tried dropping and trading trips that CCS says are legal and I have yet to get a trip traded (I’m trading into open time trips or trips that other guys want to drop). I’ve used BidNav without any success (asked for low credit line, got 89 hours). Maybe this is part of the learning curve? Perhaps this is just the way it is, and my expectations of time away from work are unrealistic? I’m still trying to figure it out, but if I’m away from home 18 days a month, my wife is going to make me find a different job.
12-27-2021, 11:05 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,709
Originally Posted by Cougs
I guess I don’t see it as entitled. I’m not trying to get sweet layovers, or commutable lines, or deadheads with lots of soft time, or trips with LCAs that get bought. I literally want to fly my MPG as quickly as possible, and go home to my family. 5 hours per day is a terrible batting average, especially when you’ve got a 89 hour month. Put me in coach. I’ll get 8 hours of block time a day if I can manage it. I’ve got 4 young kids and all I want is time with them. I’ve tried dropping and trading trips that CCS says are legal and I have yet to get a trip traded (I’m trading into open time trips or trips that other guys want to drop). I’ve used BidNav without any success (asked for low credit line, got 89 hours). Maybe this is part of the learning curve? Perhaps this is just the way it is, and my expectations of time away from work are unrealistic? I’m still trying to figure it out, but if I’m away from home 18 days a month, my wife is going to make me find a different job.
I mean you can get 18 days a month off once you get some seniority but expecting it as a new hire is unrealistic. Sounds like it’s time to ditch the old ball and chain or find another job.
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