4.2 hrs/day, but it was a strange trip that averaged that low. The main difference was that the rig wasn’t averaged across the whole trip, but each individual day was always at least 4.2. I usually was able to get about 6-6.5/day. Sounds like in normal times that should be doable here too. And obviously impossible to get as low as 4.2 haha

 

Interesting that these max PBS credits began just after the new guy in Crew Resources got here. He came from American….aren’t they known to be a bit of a dysfunctional slave ship? They badly botched their COVID response, furloughed deep enough that their recovery was significantly impacted, and under his watch experimented with regional airline-style “scheduling efficiencies” such as building identical pilot and FA pairings, etc. Maybe it’s just a coincidence…..or maybe not.

 

Wouldn’t say it’s when he arrived. It’s been going on well before that on the 737. Then we had ramp up to Spring Break and all my Bus friends were saying, “Wow, I finally get to make the paychecks you have been!” after the Bus line values were depressed so long. And imagine that…Spring Break and Easter travel drives the amount of flying up as travel in general rebounds after Covid and we are planning to fly more domestically/leisurely than 2019. But sure…the new guy.

 

Started in Feb on the bus & sure seems to have coincided with his arrival. To his admission in the last CR update, he did say they had been staying reserves higher than normal to avoid another January, so I expect that’s part of it.

 

January was primarily omicron driven and the exception not the rule. Hopefully it will calm down a little and return to normal. Or we could just hire more pilots...

 

Which regional was that?

 

Republic airlineways

 

Interesting observation. I actually had a 3 day last month where we kept the same FAs the entire trip. The CA and a 12 year FA both said they couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. It was kind of neat getting to spend a little more time with the same crew, but not worth it considering the amount of time we had to wait on them to get to the hotel van or check into their rooms. We learned after the first day to try to beat them to the check in desk.

 

Interesting observation. I actually had a 3 day last month where we kept the same FAs the entire trip. The CA and a 12 year FA both said they couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. It was kind of neat getting to spend a little more time with the same crew, but not worth it considering the amount of time we had to wait on them to get to the hotel van or check into their rooms. We learned after the first day to try to beat them to the check in desk.

 

Not sure I totally understand the problem. Looking at schedules for April number 214 EWR '73FO (out of about 410 active) has 17 days off and 74 hours. If a person wants to be home with the young 'uns I get it. I was the same way and dropped to 50 hours for almost 5 years (lucky me - my wife had a great job at the time). The keys are a) don't commute b) learn to bid well and use drops well c) bid WB FO. The WB job at United is like working for a whole different company.

For whatever entertainment its worth I was hired in '96 and spent my first 2 years on reserve working every weekend and holiday with 11 or 12 days a month off, and I may be remembering incorrectly but we were ALWAYS on short call. There was no long call. Man Power planning had beefed up the ORD '73 ranks in anticipation of a '73 airplane order, but the company ordered A320s instead and I went from number 242 out of 244 to something like 178 out of 180 in ORD during my first 2 years. I know . . . I know waaaa waaaa. Anyways just meant as an entertaining thought.