CAL reserve schedule

[taxicabdriver]

I tried searching for some info, but I wasn't sure if what I found was still accurate. Can anyone tell me about how many days off one can expect on reserve or what an average, lower seniority schedule would be like? I didn't know if the stuff I found was before or after the PBS system was in place. Also do you bid reserve lines with PBS software or are you bidding "company built" reserve lines? Can a reserve pilot pick up trips or move his days around? Thanks for the help!

 

[pkober]

Reserve is 18 days on, 12 off. Not in a row. Usually you will get a block with 4-5 days off in a row. Right now, with PBS, the junior line holder is around 82% on the airplane (18 % junior to him).

I don't know about how to bid reserve on PBS or picking up trips. I hold a line and didn't pick up trips while on reserve. If you commute an 18 day reserve line is pretty brutal and you don't have much time to pick up trips. The good news is that if you get hired before Jan/Feb you probably won't sit reserve for more that a few months (737 EWR).

Also, once you get 100 hours on the airplane they use you less on reserve. They try to get people off the 100 hour restriction as fast a possible and they are always the first to fly.

 

[geshields]

Reserve is built up to 19 working days. 76 hr guarantee("B" reserve) and 72 hr guarantee("A" reserve). That will leave you with 11 or 12 days off per month.

"A" or "B" reserve, immovable and movable days off are bid with the PBS software.

 

[taxicabdriver]

Thanks, do most all of the reserve schedules have 12 days off?

 

[Jetjockey]

All reserves get 12 days off. No more, no less.

 

[The Regulator]

Reserve is built up to 19 working days. 76 hr guarantee("B" reserve) and 72 hr guarantee("A" reserve). That will leave you with 11 or 12 days off per month.

"A" or "B" reserve, immovable and movable days off are bid with the PBS software.

WRONG, you will always have 12 days off. It doesn't matter if it is a 30 or 31 day month. The only exception is if you have a recurrent training event during a month, that can reduce your min days off.

 

[Wooly]

when you are on reserve, are you able to drop reserve days for extra time off?

 

[acbarney]

You can check the reserve pool, and if they have above min reserve you can personal drop a reserve day.

 

[pkober]

Wow a large print WRONG.

Recurrent training on reserve is done on reserve days. You are still working, it's just that it's a 7 hour day.

But technically you are RIGHT.

 

[turbinej]

Right now you are on reserve for about 8 month on the B737, longer on the B756 aircraft. In PBS you ask for what reserve days you want to work or have off. It will try to build you a schedule based on what you can hold. On reserve you can pick up trip in open time for the amount of days you are good for. example if you are good for 2 days you can pick up only a two day trip, not a one day trip. If you are good for 4 days you can only pick up a 4 days trip. the only exception is if you are on reserve for six days then you can pick up a 4 or 5 day trip. Once you are with in so many hours of your guarantee you cannot pick up open time, it can only be assigned to you by scheduling. for example I had 56 hours for the month and there was a 3 or 4 day trip worth 20 or 21 hours I could not pick it it up. If any trip brings you within 4 hours or so within your guarantee you cannot pick anything up in open time. You will most likely sit and scheduling will level out the flying to keep everyone equal. They don't want you to make anymore money than your 76 hour guanrantee. In october I had reach my guarantee for the month and they released me for the rest of the month. So I had 16 days off in october. I was realeased because staffing was good. If not then they will keep you and have to pay you for each additional day on reserve and sit.
As far as schedule goes. I pretty much have been doing 6 on, 2 off 6 on, 4 off, 6 on 6 off. On the 2 days off it is had to get home. I usually only ome for 36 hours. The 737 trips start earlt and finish up late, so there is many times lately that I've had to commute home the next day. If you think you want to fly 90 hours a month like in the regional airlines its not going to happen unless they are short. Its only happened to me once since I've been at CAL.

 

[GogglesPisano]

. If not then they will keep you and have to pay you for each additional day on reserve and sit.
.

So theoretically you can make more than 76hrs on reserve. You can fly close to guarantee and then ask(?) to remain on reserve for the rest of the month. How much does each remaining reserve day pay? And do you have any control over this?

Thanks.

 

[RIOtoPilot]

4:30

So theoretically you can make more than 76hrs on reserve. You can fly close to guarantee and then ask(?) to remain on reserve for the rest of the month. How much does each remaining reserve day pay? And do you have any control over this?

Thanks.

The magic number in the contract is 4:30. You cannot aggressively pickup trips that bring you within this number of your reserve guarantee (72 A/ 76 B). If, however, skeds assigns you trips that takes you there or higher, you can call and asked to be released for the remainder of your reserve days. They can either a) release you (and you have the rest of those reserve days off) or b) say no and still use you. If they still use you, you are guaranteed 4:30 of pay each of those remaining reserve days.
For example: I had been scheduled 82 hours and still had 3 days of reserve for the month of November. I called to be released and they kindly said no thank you very much. I got assigned another trip and ended up with 98 hours for the month (covering the 4:30 guarantee).
---I'm brand new and assume schedules crushes the new hires to get them over the 100 hour low minimums.

 

[Wooly]

turbinej are you in ewr or iah?

 

[tmac3333]

Pkober....the junior line holder is not 82%. It's closer to 90% for FO and Captain in the 737 & 757 in EWR, IAH, and CLE. 82% was pre-PBS...the goal is 92% with PBS, but the reality is closer to 90% +/- 2% in each equipment.

 

[CMRaviator]

Thanks for the info gentlemen. I'm trying to formulate a plan as to what I'll bid for in my Jan class. I'm guessing I'll fall towards the junior side of my class, so I figure I'll have one of the last choices. But looking forward to it regardless!

 

[Kugelblitz]

We essentially have commuter airline 'work rules' whether you are a reserve or a line holder. Nonetheless, reserve for us out of EWR can be particularly brutal, good luck.