Cal reserve pilots!

[Boeingman]

All good points but I think CAL EWR 737 summed it up best. You do NOT want to be junior on the 757 especially in Newark. The bottom line is your quality of life. Once the euphoria wears off I guarantee you will be happier holding a more senior position on a different (smaller) airplane.

Did I already mention that quality of life is your first priority?

BTW welcome aboard.

 

[a10hogplt]

cal ewr, thank you for taking your time and giving me your opinion, greatly appreciated. I have a feeling that since i'm only 30, i will most likely be in the 73 anyway, but great points you have made. It looks like the 73 might be the way to go until i would be able to hold either long reserve call out on the 756 or a line.

With that said, how do you qualify for the 9 hour call out when on reserve? If your saying i could hold a line after 3 or 4 months after ioe, do you think i could get the long call out right out of ioe? How does that work!

Thanks guys! I'm not an airline guy in my previous life so this is a quick learning curve for me.

 

[Boeingman]

Hog: I haven't paid any attention to the reserve issues, but I believe the 25% of the lines are awarded as long show by seniority. However I have heard that a lot of guys are being switched to the B reserve after the fact. There are caveats to this but I am sure you will get better answers from guys actually dealing with reserve under the new contract.

My point is, do not bank on the long call reserve on any decisions on what you fly. You should be fine at 1:50 from Newark. Like one of the others said be ready with the bags packed and uniform in the car in case you get short called (which happens much more on the 737 than other aircraft).

 

[bearcat]

The long callout isn't as good as a deal as it sounds. A reserve (9 Hour) is called first before any Breserve. Bman is spot on that the A reserve are being switched to B reserve. Also 75 is a ton of DH to return as IRO. I think you can sum it up best that 737 is going to be a better QOL. Rumor has it that the lines are easier to commute at IAH -VS- EWR. Cannot confirm this. (I'm still in training.) Are you in the guard? If so PM me.

 

[psysicx]

If your on reserve is it possible to ask to be put on top of the calling list so you will fly?

 

[kaisersose]

If your on reserve is it possible to ask to be put on top of the calling list so you will fly?

The A/B system got rid of request to fly/request min fly. If you really want to fly then bid A. A's are supposed to get called first and have the nine hour call out. You will have the lower guarantee and they will stop using you if they can when you get close to 72hrs. If you want the higher guarantee then bid B and call the schedulers and let them know you want to fly and are just minutes from the airport etc. They are supposed to go in order but things are done that benefit both sides sometimes.

KS

 

[SoBeFlyer]

PBS is rumored in Jan???

I heard a rumor that Preferential Bidding System will be online in Jan timeframe? I'm guessing that system would change some reserve aspects quite a bit? As I understand PBS, it builds lines for individuals. Thus a senior lineholder with vacation wouldn't drop trips that touched vacation on a pre-written line, but instead a line would be built around the vacation, thus less trips end up in open time when the bidding process is over. Basically more efficient schedule writing for the company. Anyone with any nawledge on this at CAL?

 

[CAL EWR B737]

Rumor has it that the lines are easier to commute at IAH -VS- EWR. Cannot confirm this. (I'm still in training.) Are you in the guard? If so PM me.

In my opinion that would be correct. First of all remember IAH is far more senior than EWR or all equipment types. As far as commuteability on the 737 IAH is superior to EWR. Due to the location of IAH many of the pairing (trips) begin and end in the mid day time frame. The opposite is true in EWR many early starts and late finishes obviously not good for commuteabilty. However I believe the overall quality of the flying out of EWR is better.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

With that said, how do you qualify for the 9 hour call out when on reserve? If your saying i could hold a line after 3 or 4 months after ioe, do you think i could get the long call out right out of ioe? How does that work!

Thanks guys! I'm not an airline guy in my previous life so this is a quick learning curve for me.

Because things are moving so fast right now you will be able to hold a line on the 737 in EWR in three or four months. "A" reserve lines probably go more senior than "B". Again due to the rapid movement you will be a senior reserve in two or three months. You have to bid for an "A" reserve line and there are only so many of them, (I believe no more than 25% of the total reserve lines) just like you will bid for "B" reserve lines or regular lines. You seniority and what those above you bid will determine what you get awarded.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

I heard a rumor that Preferential Bidding System will be online in Jan timeframe? I'm guessing that system would change some reserve aspects quite a bit? As I understand PBS, it builds lines for individuals. Thus a senior lineholder with vacation wouldn't drop trips that touched vacation on a pre-written line, but instead a line would be built around the vacation, thus less trips end up in open time when the bidding process is over. Basically more efficient schedule writing for the company. Anyone with any nawledge on this at CAL?

I believe PBS will be a major change in how we do business. CAL ALPA said testing in CLE in Jan followed by the rest of the system shortly thereafter. They also said more than likely not fully implemented intil fall of 06.

 

[jwes]

You guys have some great posts, don't want to take over the post, but I have a side question. Getting the 757 does a new FO get typed (unrestricted 757-767) for international flying? Same question for Guam and is Guam only 737?

Thanks in advance, sorry didn't want a tangent

 

[propjob27]

Yes. Every FO gets typed in whatever equipment he files. 737, 757/767, 777. Every FO gets a normal, unrestricted type. (not this "SIC" type that JetBlue made up)

 

[Powda5]

..aaannd it is freezing in training, the 737 is all there is in Guam, and I HIGHLY recommend bringing a laptop. You will spend hours in a computer lab at subzero temps if you don't have one. The guys who have laptops all went back to their hotel rooms to do their required computer courses (and they can be extensive). Or you could wait until you're an employee the first week: there is a CO discount of some type if you buy a computer (not sure which brand it was). Some guys took advantage of that deal and came back for week 2 with a new laptop. Another piece of advice...on day 1 of class, bring your flight bag--as empty as possible. Or if you're military or don't have a bag, you could buy one at the hotel (there is a pilot shop downstairs with a decent selection).

 

[JetsRforKids]

Computer discount

I just read that there is a computer discount for CAL new hires? I'm planning on buying a laptop before starting training, does anyone know if there is a discount?

 

[geshields]

I just read that there is a computer discount for CAL new hires? I'm planning on buying a laptop before starting training, does anyone know if there is a discount?

We get discounts on Apple, Dell, and HP...