Heed

Yes, some common sense applies. If you have sufficient duty day left, then it's probably best to fly the scheduled DH, land, check your schedule (take a snapshot) and adjust from there. I personally would avoid calling scheduling unless absolutely necessary.

So far most of my trips that ended with DH's back to my base didn't have much, if any, duty period left and I would end up in post-trip rest.

I live relatively close (4 hrs driving) and often fly up to my base. It makes sense, for me, to deviate back home. Most of the time, the next day is day off following a trip and when it isn't I usually escape SC the next day due to the rest period.

ugleeual

I'm also pretty sure that if you are on reserve the crews schedulers can use the "first available flight" that you can feasibly deviate on as your clock baseline… this rule doesn't impact line holders...

Heed

These are nuances that you gain through tribal knowledge and aren't very clear in the contract to a newbie. Knowing how it works now and reading 20-K-7, it does make sense. I received a PDF (Reserve Gouge from ALPA I think) from a buddy, that explained it similarly - unless two-way contact is made, the earliest they can assign you is 1000.

So far, I haven't been given an assignment before 1000 on day one. But I did have a scheduler call once on my last day off around 12-2pm and basically leave a VM saying "We are calling regarding an assignment...call us back". No assignment was stated. I didn't call back as I was privy to what you are discussing above and figured they were trolling for something earlier than 1000.

Scheduling called again later for a specific SC sometime that afternoon, I don't remember exactly. They did mention on the VM that time if I didn't call back and acknowledge before midnight, they would call again after midnight. I called a little later and acknowledged the assignment.

UalHvy

I agree. We haven't done a good job of letting the new guys in on this. I mention it when I fly with them and explain how it works.
I have also found many that haven't gotten the word on middle seat deadheads. It's up to the Captain's to do some mentoring....protect the new hires!

Heed

After thinking about it some more UalHvy, your post made me go back and re-read the reserve gouge I had and the contract.

Reserve Gouge (titled Reserve Gouge 5.0):

"1000 Earliest report time following days off for assignments made before 1800. Could be earlier than 1000 if 2-way comm is made. Other protections apply under 20-K-7-d. (Per MEC update Dec 29th 2013)"

I then re-read all of 20-K-7.

First, I don't see 1000 in there. I see 0900 under 20-K-7-c. Perhaps that is what the MEC update from 2013 references.

After re-reading 20-K-7, I think that 1200 is the earliest SC they can assign you on day one if you don't respond as you recommended in your post prior to 1800.

For assignments made after 1759, 1200 is the earliest reserve assignment per 20-K-7-d-(3)/(4).

Since leaving a VM does not constitute an assignment, paragraph 20-K-7-d should apply if you don't "check-in" until after 1800. By the contract (20-K-7-e) we are required to "...check his schedule and/or messages sometime between 1800 to 0059....."

Am I off the mark?

I used 1000 as the benchmark previously before responding to scheduling. I NEVER answer, but I also don't want to wait to respond, then forget and get a call somewhere between 0001 and 0059.

Also an old saying from flight school days comes to mind....."Live by the gouge, die by the gouge."

Shrek

And for God sakes Man - pick up the tab on the layovers for the half-wingers !

UalHvy

I buy every beer and every meal. Always. Same applies to those that were furloughed.

UalHvy

FAR 117 applies to my post. You are under ZERO requirement to check your schedule on a day off. That part of the contract has been rendered null and void under FAR117. Therefore, don't check it until midnight. Under the FARs you cannot be used before then. Check it sooner or answer the phone...you are at the mercy of the Crew Desk.
In the past I have checked my schedule at midnight and saw a 0700 departure in there. Called the FODM and had it removed. They can (and will) assign you a 1000 short call. Perfectly legal. I get it often.

Glenntilton

The 0059 has been corrected to 2359.

And yes, if it after 1759, then noon is the earliest. But they give you an assignment before that, then it is 1000, eventhough you don't acknowledge it until 2359.

SpecialTracking

Checking your schedule does not constitute two way communication thereby committing you to the crew desk. Voice mail, acars, etc is not two way communication. They have to speak to you over the phone.