Aggressive pick up. At UAL, while reserves aren't allowed to pick up trips on our days off, we're (thank heavens) allowed to pick up open time trips on our reserve days, based on seniority. We can pick up trips (only in our domicile) that match our days of availability, or days minus one (for example, a reserve pilot with 4 days of avails can pick up a 4-day or a 3-day.)

This makes reserve a lot more palatable for commuters. If you're going to slog across the country for a reserve shift, it's vastly better (IMO) to be out flying, rather than sitting around some crashpad hoping to get called.

It isn't anywhere near as flexible as, say, SWA's reserve schedule adjustment tools, but it's a heck of a lot better than I'm used to at my previous carrier (OO)...

 

Depended on BES…

 

Yup. Looking at the September bid period, the numbers/ percentages of LCL lines are all over the place, depending on base.

 

Yup, I kinda getting a in my BES on who is going for what. Seems like a lot of folks punted on LCLs and stuck with TRV with all of the VECs getting taken up…

Bodes well for me I hope as I am not a fan of dealing with SC conversions all as my commute can be up and down. Once I come into base, I rather go to work at this point…

 

What can a newbie expect for RSV now in particular if there's any inputs out of EWR? How long on reserve before holding a line in general at the current moment? What's best option reserve option for those living very close to base? All these assume 737 out of Indoc TIA!!

 

You can expect traditional reserve (TRV), with a potential LCL or VEC depending on how those categories shake out over the next several months. The union just put out some nuances to VEC and LCL lines that may actually make them less desirable.

It wasn't uncommon in the past for more senior folks to bid reserve during the low volume flying seasons to get a break. A lot of guys are trying out the new lines and may or may not stick with stuff like LCL and VEC that on the surface seem like they offer advantages, but may end up with working a lot more. LCL in particular seems to looking like you will be prioritized in getting 3+ day trips even when you are in a mismatched silo. That could turn off people like I mentioned above who are normally line holders and want a bit of a break.

Time will tell, but it's looking like for now, TRV will work the least just based on the rule for VEC and LCL lines as constructed currently. The company pays VEC more and can make you do unlimited short calls on a 12 hour leash, so they're going to use you based on paying you a lot more for the VEC. LCL are structured so that you will always get used on trips so you will be covering the crappy 3-4 day trips that everyone tries to avoid.

 

Like someone mentioned, you can expect TRV off the bat. You might get lucky with a VEC or LCL depending on how senior folks bid above you… TRV is pretty much standard reserve…

VECs are going to see bulk of the SC heavy lifting and last minute flying assignments that pop up with TRVs falling in between with covering trips and SCs (but scattered throughout the month…

None of the specialized reserve lines are involuntary. So the great news is that you can sit on the sidelines as a TRV and see how VEC/LCL go or jump into the mix and experience each to formulate your own opinion on them… I suspect that VECs will start trending Senior with those who live in base and want to make extra money but don’t have the seniority to beat out top-senior folks for premium trips…

 

Sorry for my ignorance, what would the traditional call out time be for TRV? 2.5 hours?

Trying to gauge what would be best for someone with a three hour drive to EWR.

 

So if one were to bid for a VEC line as their number one big group, but somehow got edged out by more senior bidders for a VEC, would the bid award default to a traditional reserve line? If bid group number two is a regular line, would the solver just proceeded to the next bid group and award you a line? I'm trying to avoid ending up on reserve if I can't hold a VEC line only. Currently bidding about 30% in BES. Thoughts?

 

TRV = 14 or 18 hour callout depending on the time of day. 2.5 hours if/when converted to short call.