SWA OAK Reserves

[ClearRight]

How is reserve in OAK? I have no idea how SWA builds their reserve lines. What's the call out time? and length of duty?

How is the commute from, say, Portland?

How long are the new guys on reserve in OAK?

AND, once you get a line, are the trips commutable?

Thanks for any and all help!!

 

[chase]

How is reserve in OAK? I have no idea how SWA builds their reserve lines. What's the call out time? and length of duty?

>8% (or slightly more now) of the hard lines are reserve lines. Lines are built for either a 3 day block or 4 day block of reserve (guarantee of 90 trips for pay per month). You may pickup extra flying or open time on your days off. If you overfly the guarantee you're paid the higher amount.

>AM & PM reserves. AMs start 2 hrs prior to the first push out of each domicile (supposed to but not always, a bone of contention between the union & company). A 2 hr callout is the only type of reserve, no 12/24 hr reserve. Passing is permitted but after the first trip of the month the current system isn't impacted much with passing on to someone more jr. 15 hr window with 9 hrs off. PM reserve starts about 6 hrs after the first AM block starts.

>Days of the week stay the same throughout the month, i.e. 3 day starting on Mon-Wed times 2 & 4 day block starting on Mon-Thur for 2 blocks. Jr folks are going to get the weekend block usually but it can change from month to month

>You can get moved from an AM to PM reserve block which is another bone of contention...this can impact commuters who come in for a 4 day block the day prior, get called out for the reserve & the get slippe to a PM block...non-commutable. Suddenly a 4 day block can become a commute on both sides which was not the intention when the side letter was drafted. This will hopefully get fixed in the next contract ('06, start negotiating in '05).

How is the commute from, say, Portland?

>I'd recommend looking at southwest.com & pull up the schedule from PDX to OAK to get the best idea. I'm sure their are several non-stops a day. SWA commuter policy says that if you sign up (get there in time to be on the list) but the flights are cnx due to wx or mechanical or for some other reason (other than simply being full & you didn't plan well enough ahead) you are allowed to call scheduling & get re-routed to get the trip later in the pairing without penalty.

How long are the new guys on reserve in OAK?

>The first full month of flying after doing the IOE is a hard line which allows you to collect the 100 hrs you usually need to get off the standard "new guy" restrictions. Sitting reserve at a new base (assuming new folks are coming into the system) could be as little as 1 month up to 3 months. If you are at the tail end of th hiring for this year you may have to sit it until SWA cranks back up again next year which will result in a longer period. Moving domiciles will usually involve having to sit for several months also but that can change dramatically. If reserves aren't flying alot then more sr folks take it leaving vacation relief lines or hard lines for newbies. That word takes a little while to get out (the folks who are sitting it try not to let the word get out since you're getting paid for not flying which to some is a good deal if you're not a commuter) so trying to predict that is like chasing the flavor of the month in mutual funds...one usually guesses wrong & is out of cycle (spoken like someone who has done both!!).

AND, once you get a line, are the trips commutable?

>Depending but for a new hire, probably not consistently for several years. Yes the occasional line may fall into your lap or one or two trips for the month maybe but that is an iffy proposition. Go in with the proposition it won't happen so when it does, you're pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for any and all help!!

>Glad to help & Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!

 

[RJones]

To sum it up ... Bend over.

 

[SWAdude]

I believe what RJones maybe trying to say is that if you have 16 days of reserve you will likely get used all but one or two days. And on the days you are used, often you have to be flexible because things will constantly be changing. Some always bid reserve. Others don't like the unpredictable nature of our system.

SWAdude

Chase,

You do a masterful job of answering questions!!!

 

[RJones]

SWAdude, you're putty a pretty gentle spin on it.

 

[SWAdude]

RJones,

I've spent enough time on reserve to know that its not for everyone. Reserve is reserve. I don't feel like I get screwed over. Its just its nature. Sure I think we need more work rules thrown in. But the people that think they are getting screwed are usually the ones that don't want to work on reserve. And we do. If you commute, reserve sucks to everyone.

SWAdude

 

[ClearRight]

As one who has been on reserve at a regional for the last TWO years, I'm not one to look at it as being screwed over- it's my job to be there when others can't and be the filler for the orphaned pairings. That being said, I live in domicile so it's no big deal doing a out-and-back here and there.

Thanks for all the replies! No interview yet, just trying to get the info before I sink my 7000-I'm-serious-about-this dollars.

Lots of Southwest filghts between PDX and OAK. Do you jumpseat or can you write a pass and be an average joe in the back? Alaska has several also.

 

[737tanker]

Most SW pilots ride the jumpseat when commuting because that way they can board with the pre-boards, if on a pass you are supposed to board with your assigned boarding group. The Capt will tell the jumpseater to find a seat in the back. If the aircraft fills up an announcement will be made over the PA for the observer to come up to thew cockpit.