4 x 4

I'm curious about how the reserve system works at United and the commuter policy since I'll be experiencing both of those soon. (hopefully not the commuter policy... just commuting)

I've read that everyone is on long call (unless converted to SC). How does long call work at UAL? 12hr call out as I understand, but what is the on-call window... 24hrs??? Is it feasible to sit at home on LC if there are 10 direct flights of 1.5hr duration, or is this asking for trouble?

Commuter policy: I asked this in another thread, so I hope it doesn't hijack that one. I know you have to allow 2 flight (online or offline), but how good is UAL about it if I need to use it? I don't want to have to stress if both of my flights are oversold. Does it apply to weather, pax loads, etc.?

C11DCA

Yes you are phone available 24 hours a day while on long call. Yes you can sit at home as long as you can make the required show time once assigned something (a trip or a short call). That's the whole concept about long call, time to get from home to the assignment. Depending on time of day, that could be easy or hard. The crew desk calls you at 8 am for a trip that night at 9pm is slightly different then if they call you at 8 pm for a 9 am departure the next day.

Short call is 2.5 hours to show for a domestic flight so you need to be able to do that as a commuter. Might mean you fly into base for your short call window of 14 hours depending where you commute from. Hence why aggressive pickup of open trips is a pilot's friend. You can "control" your schedule somewhat.

The commuter policy works, but especially as a new hire, give yourself more time. Don't rely on the 2 oversold flights. Start earlier, find a different option. On bad weather days, commute in earlier if possible. As a new hire you are on a much shorter leash when it comes to "dependability" than someone off probation.

If you plan ahead and give yourself more options, your stress level will actually be less. Sacrificing some time at home that first year is worth it IMO.

DC

F15andMD11

Yes you can sit long call at home.
My experience was while you obviously start on long call it won't last long. You will be placed on short call day one. However, you can see what's coming your way on CCS. Don't like what you see, pick up a short call at 1100 that fits your commute. 10 direct flights a day you say. Do you have a double commute? Just be sure you can make it when the phone rings at 2100 for a 0700 show. I found picking up FSB worked for me, commute in, sit for 4 hours and at the end of it you're back on long call. When they're available that is...

Swedish Blender

Don't forget there's always UPS or FedEx.

UPS
The Independent Pilots Association
1-800-228-2739 (1-800-BAT-CREW)
option 4, then 1

FedEx
Jumpseat Finder

I know we'd love to return the J/S favor at brown.

reelbigchair

Why would you need to be able to show at 7:00 if called at 9? Wouldn't that be a 9:00am report at the earliest?


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APC225

There are some scenarios that could jam a commuter. Before 1800 the call out to a SC from long call is 10 hours. So you could get called at 1745 and would gave to be in position for SC at 0345.

4 x 4

I could see that biting me if I was unprepared. I would almost have to be packed, dressed and sitting in the car to make 2 flights on that one

APC225

That being said, I have not seen this happen. Usually the SCs are picked up by reserves at 1100 or are assigned out by 1500.

reelbigchair

But just to be sure, there is no scenario where a long call could be called at 2100 for a 0700 report.


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APC225

Correct. After 1800 a SC notification requires 12 hours. And, in case it hadn't been mentioned, 1000 is the earliest assignment on the first day of a reserve block. An FAR limit supercedes UPA on that one.