B6 Virtual Basing

[1-tacan-rule]

Any news on this topic...bases considered?....how will it work?

 

[NTS ALL 4]

Any news on this topic...bases considered?....how will it work?

Just like it does everywhere. Let's see...B6 has 14-17 flights a day to FLL...so they put a base there. B6 has 8-10 flights a day to MCO...so maybe a base there. B6 has 8-10 flights a day to BOS...so maybe a small base. B6 has 8-10 flights a day to IAD....you get the picture. Less overnights = less cost = more profit sharing and those that live there are home more. Looks a lot like SWA and all their domiciles.

 

[banger]

Just like it does everywhere. Let's see...B6 has 14-17 flights a day to FLL...so they put a base there. B6 has 8-10 flights a day to MCO...so maybe a base there. B6 has 8-10 flights a day to BOS...so maybe a small base. B6 has 8-10 flights a day to IAD....you get the picture. Less overnights = less cost = more profit sharing and those that live there are home more. Looks a lot like SWA and all their domiciles.

?....

 

[Front Office]

Plan for a crew base in BOS. JetBlue will have 6 gates May 1st, then 1 add'l gate every 6 months, for a total of 10. Also, plan on seeing the same type of opperation as jetblue has in JFK. 190's includded.

 

[rptrain]

I thought this thread was B6 Virtual Bashing. Shows what I've come to expect from this forum. Carry on.

 

[1-tacan-rule]

Virtual Basing...

Exactly. Not asking about crew bases...asking about the 'virtual basing' I've heard talked about for a couple of months.

Last I heard there was a working group to help twist the rubix cube and see if it can work.

I thought the plan was to allow pilots to start/finish trips in a base (virtual base)other than one of the current 3 (or future) domiciles.

Does anyone know the current status of those efforts.

Thanks.

 

[N8Dogg]

This sounds kind of like the outstation concept.

 

[crazee8]

They're still in the thinking/planning phase as far as I know (I'm not privy to much). They have a scheduling survery going on right now where they ask us about this to see if we're interested. One of the questions was a choice of BOS, MCO, and OAK. There was also a write in option which I took advantage of. I am very interested in this because if even if it was one less commute to JFK a month - I would take it.

 

[JB Bus Drvr]

Flew with a member of the workgroup for vitual basing yesterday. Nothing has been done yet and everything about it is pure speculation. The workgroup meets on 3/21 for three days to figure out how to make it work, if feasible, potential test sites, and how schedules will be changed or affected. Also discussions on the reserve system will be held too. E-mails will be out about every month to update the progress and the pilot group still has the final say if they want it or not. The whole principal about it is improving the quality of life for the pilots by reducing the distance and number of commutes by having crews start and finish trips closer to home.

 

[Dizel8]

"the pilot group still has the final say if they want it or not."

 

[NTS ALL 4]

"the pilot group still has the final say if they want it or not."

No, ALPA does. Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

[Slug]

At SWA it is called mini-domiciles. We are looking at it too.

 

[1-tacan-rule]

This would be awesome

MCO would be great.

Thanks for all the input. Will wait and see.

1tr

 

[mosdef]

just got back from the interview. Senior leadership confirmed that they are looking at it and will move forward if it's something the pilots want. Basically trying to keep guys from having to commute transcon and then start a trip amongst other qol issues.

 

[oldxfr8dog]

No, ALPA does. Sorry I couldn't resist.

ALPA doesn't carry much weight at JB.
Or many other carriers these days, it seems.

 

[3d homer]

At AirTran they have mentioned that someone heard that there was a rumor that people had discussed the possibility of thinkning about toying with this idea. They called it "Virtual Domiciles".

Sounds like a great deal if all the wrinkles could ever be ironed out. I'm just glad someone is putting some serious thought into the concept. It would be a win/win situation.

 

[B6Busdriver]

I think it's a bad idea. It dilutes the flying at JFK etc where most will be based. I think this concept works well if you are senior. It's good for the few and bad for the many. LGB is a perfect example, it was created at an airport where we have 23 flights a day and are unable to grow beyond that. So basically you have a base that was created for a handful of folks over the long run. Just my opinion. By the way I don't live near JFK, I commute like 90% of us.

 

[NTS ALL 4]

ALPA doesn't carry much weight at JB.
Or many other carriers these days, it seems.

You are correct, my friend. But ALPA will still take their monthly dues (about 1.1/4 %) from you or anyone else that would care to listen. Now that's the way to make money since 9/11. Start a new union with only 1 % dues. Can't be any worse than having ALPA. I don't think B6 folks care to listen to ALPA or any other folks right now.

 

[1-tacan-rule]

Please explain...

"...It dilutes the flying at JFK etc where most will be based. I think this concept works well if you are senior. It's good for the few and bad for the many. LGB is a perfect example, it was created at an airport where we have 23 flights a day and are unable to grow beyond that. So basically you have a base that was created for a handful of folks over the long run..."

How does it dilute JFK? The way I understand the concept, nothing changes in the number of flights in the system or where they go. The only thing that changes is where pilots are jumping on and off a trip.

If, theoretically, there were 150Capts in MCO area...they could just bid to start and end trips at MCO. And if another Capts sked fit in as well, he could hand the keys to the Capt starting his trip at MCO.

Again, theoretically, a commuting pilot may not be able to get all his trips to begin/end at his virtual base, but even if he gets some it would be a huge QOL improvement.

Am I missing something?

 

[-9Capt]

At AirTran they have mentioned that someone heard that there was a rumor that people had discussed the possibility of thinkning about toying with this idea. They called it "Virtual Domiciles".

AirTran considered a virtual base in MCO years ago, nothing ever came of it. Our contract allows for a $10,000 moving allowance per pilot and the company wanted relief form it, the whole idea seemed to die after that.