Reserve at Alaska?

[whiff]

For any Alaska pilots out there what is your reserve like? thanks

 

[mach none]

For any Alaska pilots out there what is your reserve like? thanks

I will make an attempt to answer this question. Especially since I have found myself back on reserve this month.

Our system is basically 5 on 2 off. With 1 block of 5 off that cannot by violated by the company. They can extend us into one of our days off, but they have to restore that day off at a later time. Sometimes at your choosing, sometimes not. Depends upon the reserve coverage. You can move days off around or trade that 5 off block to make a bunch of 3 off blocks. It all depends upon you and reserve coverage.

We have various "zones" of reserve lines. Zone 1 starts @ 0400 and ends at 1900. Zone 2 starts at 0600 and goes until 2100. The zones go all the way through the night, each one starting two hours later than the previous. Some zones fly more than others. You have a good choice if you want to work more. Not all bases are the same. This is just the SEA 737. Obviously, some bases don't do all nighters, so they don't have the all nighter reserve lines. All nighter lines fly less.

We have a long call out of 4 hours (R day). We also have "A" alert days that are a 2 hour call out. Not bad, especially if you live in base. But if you commute, it sucks. SEA 737 FOs are flying 35-65 hours per month. Reserves are busier in the summer and less so now.

It is not the best reserve system in the world, also not the worse. Since we opened the contract early. We are going to attempt to improve this part of the contract. Hopfully we can get this done.

Hope this helps,
Mach None

 

[banger]

Maybe I'm just missing it, But what is the reserve gaurantee for pay if you don't get called on reserve? Thanks

 

[AK737FO]

AK reserve

Reserve lines are paid a minimum of 76 hours. The company usually builds flying lines of 85 hours. They have the right to flex up or down 2 hours. Sometimes they flex up in the summer but I have never seen them flex down. On a flex up month, the reserve is payed 78 hours. Reserve lines are always paid 9 hours less than the max line.

Each base has its own crew schedulers. They make all the difference... SEA is known for its problems, ANC is known for being the best a pilot could ever hope for, LAX falls in the middle.

Some pretty senior guys bid reserve, why not get paid for 76 hours and fly 10? Some guys want the money and pump up their line each month to the max.

 

[whiff]

Mach none and AK737FO thanks for all the info