What is 7 on 7 off really like?

[-FlyAuburn-]

Not to burst your bubble but I believe that all new hires will initially be put on the 18 day scedule.

Yeah, I've read that too. No big deal, as eventually I will be able to bid the 7n7 and from what I hear it seems the higher paying schedules will most likely go senior.

 

[notaNJApilot]

Up the 40% of the pilots can be on the 18-Day, so it would be a surprise if it filled up. The 15-Day is limited to 10%, and that was the schedule that was thought to go senior...time will tell. 7&7 is the "default" schedule, so there will be a 7&7 line waiting for you assuming you aren't junior assigned to the 15-Day and there's a schedule bid open at the time you need to bid.

Also, realityman, not to be nit-picky, but PTO can be bid as short out as 72 hours...not a week.

 

[fischman]

Thanks for all the input. It's going to be a tough decision either way. One thing is for certain, I don't think I would ever do the 15 day or 18 day schedules.


Not to burst your bubble but I believe that all new hires will initially be put on the 18 day schedule.

You are correct. New hires will be put on the 18 day fixed schedule initially. The purpose is so you will have a greater oppertunity to be paired up with a training captain for IOE.

Bidding happens every trimester. As soon as you are off of IOE and the next bid period comes around, you will be able to bid for a 7&7 line if you so desire. You will also be able to bid to stay on the 18 day fixed or the 15 day flex, although you mat not be able to hold the 15 day flex.

Hope that helps.

 

[gunfyter]

Very few people will be on the 18 day schedule continuously as they do the 7&7 and Reserve.

The Flex only pays 10% more than 7&7 so not really worth it.... so maybe junior manned. If it were 20% it would go senior. I think people will do it one trimester at a time alternating with the 7&7 or 18 Fixed. Can't see many stay on it continuously.

 

[CA1900]

As soon as you are off of IOE and the next bid period comes around, you will be able to bid for a 7&7 line if you so desire.

With the new contract, the bold part is no longer the case as it was in the last one. They'll start on the 18-day Training schedule, then transition immediately after IOE to either the 18-day Fixed or the 7/7, depending on what they bid.

From the new 19.4(D)(1):

A crewmember will be assigned to the 18-Day Fixed Schedule or, if applicable, the schedule he was awarded pursuant to subsection 19.4(D)(4), effective (a) the last day of duty tour in which he completes IOE training; or (b) at the expiration of the 120 day period described in subsection 19.4(D), whichever occurs first...

Definitely an improvement over the old language. :beer:

 

[Ultra Grump]

Except that a new hire would most likely not have been here for a bid award, so would have to stay on the 18-day until the next bid period.

 

[CA1900]

Except that a new hire would most likely not have been here for a bid award, so would have to stay on the 18-day until the next bid period.

Hmmm.... kind of a catch 22, unless I missed something. You'll get it, but you have to bid it. But you can't bid it, because you weren't here.

Don't see any way around it; I stand corrected.

 

[-FlyAuburn-]

Hmmm.... kind of a catch 22, unless I missed something. You'll get it, but you have to bid it. But you can't bid it, because you weren't here.

Don't see any way around it; I stand corrected.

So if I understand this correctly that could mean a new hire would be looking at the 18 day schedule for possibly 4 months until the new bid period comes around?

 

[On Your Six]

So if I understand this correctly that could mean a new hire would be looking at the 18 day schedule for possibly 4 months until the new bid period comes around?

Consider that time (if it is that long) an investment in the future...

 

[Guitar Guy]

So if I understand this correctly that could mean a new hire would be looking at the 18 day schedule for possibly 4 months until the new bid period comes around?

Remember that most if not all of your first two months are going to be split between indoc and type training. Once training's complete, then you sit in the queue for IOE. That can take some time to commence and complete depending on several factors. So depending on where you hit a bid period and how quickly you get through IOE, you could spend less than 1 or possibly 2 bid periods on the 18-day schedule.

 

[CA1900]

So if I understand this correctly that could mean a new hire would be looking at the 18 day schedule for possibly 4 months until the new bid period comes around?

Yes, or it could be longer or shorter, depending on the timing of his newhire class. I was mistaken earlier when I said you wouldn't have to finish out a bid period; Grump was on the mark, since a newhire won't have a chance to bid before he gets on property.

(That's unless the newhires are given some kind of supplemental schedule bidding, but I don't believe that's the case, and the company is not contractually required to do so. If I hear something different, I'll post it here.)


Let's look hypothetically at someone who started class this coming Monday, as that's about the best-case scenario. We're in the middle of a bid for the schedule starting 2/1, and the bids are due by the 27th of December.

So... Indoc starts 12/24. A newhire bids immediately for the Feb 1 schedule for a 7/7 line. Indoc ends on January 4. He has two weeks off, goes to sim January 18, and finishes February 3. He's now already into the new bid period. As soon as he's done with IOE, he's on the 7/7 that he was awarded. He will only be on the 18-day until training is completed (including IOE), and not a day longer. Could be as little as two months.

Now let's look at worst-case: A newhire starts a week from Monday, on 12/31. He's missed the bid for February by a few days, so he'll have to wait for the next bid cycle for June 1, and will be on the 18-day schedule until then.

Indoc will run from 12/31 to 1/11. Two weeks off. Start sim 1/25, finish it on 2/9. At that point, he'll be on the 18-day until the next bid period, which starts five months from his first day on property. As I said, that's worst-case scenario, arriving just after a bid window closed. He also might end up with a training schedule like mine, where I had 5 weeks between indoc and sim, and another 5 weeks between sim and getting into the actual plane. So it may fly by.

Hope that helps clear things up a little. Keep in mind that on our new 18-day schedule, it's a fixed schedule (after training), and he'll know his schedule by the 15th of each prior month when on the 18-day.

 

[johnboy99]

Hey NJ guys. During a 7 day tour what kind of rest do you normally(if there is such a thing) get. I know it is 10 hours minimum but do you have time at a layover to go see the sites. I am a 121 guy and I enjoy getting out and seeing things such as the beach or sites at a good layover. Do they ever allow say a 24 hour layover at places or is it normally 10 hours or a little more?? Thanks

 

[flywest]

Hey NJ guys. During a 7 day tour what kind of rest do you normally(if there is such a thing) get. I know it is 10 hours minimum but do you have time at a layover to go see the sites. I am a 121 guy and I enjoy getting out and seeing things such as the beach or sites at a good layover. Do they ever allow say a 24 hour layover at places or is it normally 10 hours or a little more?? Thanks

I would say the vast majority of overnights have 10-14 hours of rest so there usually isn't a whole lot of time to go sightseeing during a normal overnight. What I have found is that if you are paired up with a flying partner who goes home a day or two before you do, you are more likely to get left in the hotel while a fresh new crew comes in and takes your airplane. Doesn't happen very often, but nice when it does.

 

[gunfyter]

Citation X Shuffle... 14 on. 10 off.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

It blew my freaking mind, but I got 24 hours off in Cabo San Lucas last tour. So in two years of working here I finally got an awesome night somewhere!