Virgin America Latest and Greatest
10-26-2013, 03:44 PM
#711
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 243
Well the biggest change coming out that will affect all airlines is FAR 117. The new rest/duty/time rules will drastically change schedules and it remains to be seen exactly how. Most airlines are being ultra conservative right now in terms of buffers for the new rules, padding in extra cushion which will basically decrease pilot schedule efficiency and QOL. So I don't think anyone can accurately answer your question given the fact FAR 117 is coming. Commutability will decrease and the pairings will be on average less efficient by 5-8 minutes per day.
If you are asking for current schedules then yes senior lineholders have a good schedule. Even junior lineholders can get a lot of time off (17-18 days off) with about 70-80 hrs credit. There are 1, 2, 3, and 4 day pairings. Everyone is different in terms of what they want. Local guys like 1 and 2 day trips. Commuters obviously prefer commutable 4-day trips to minimize commutes per month. Pairings are usually productive but it depends on lots of factors. If you're doing a typical 2 day, it's one or two leg transcons and then back the next day so you are doing 11-13 hrs. Productive one days can easily be 6-7.5 hrs (unless you have one of those SEA turn day trip that's about 4 hrs). The most productive day trip is where you fly to the east and then deadhead back same day on the same plane. Deadhead only pays 50% but this operate out/DH back trip can net 8-9 hrs of pay for one day and goes super senior. Most of the 4-days I've seen are 20+ hrs. 23-27 hrs but again it all depends.
Reserve currently have a system where on a 5-day stretch the day 1 report is 3:30pm availability and then over the 5 days switches to a AM window and then a PM window. However, under FAR 117 the company will be switching to straight AM, PM reserve windows. So if you get a 5 day reserve stretch of AM, then that's a 3:30am availability and means you will have to come in the day before. Reserves are going to take a significant hit on QOL under FAR 117. Because of the nature of schedules especially in the first quarter and the slower Sept/Oct months, quite a few pilots who are junior lineholders in the Summer end up back on reserve in Sept or the first quarter. So they go back and forth until they move up the list some more. I lucked out big time because I was hired in a hiring cycle that was in great numbers so I have only done one month on reserve and never since. But guys hired just a few months later have been going back and forth between reserve in the slow months to lineholders in the busy times.
Your last statement is correct now with FAR 117 - things will always be changing in terms of schedules, efficiencies, and buffers the company builds. For the most part, your questions cannot be answered until everyone sees just how FAR 117 looks in actual practice. If you're hired now you can plan on being reserve for quite some time and reserve seems to have a huge impact from 117.
If you are asking for current schedules then yes senior lineholders have a good schedule. Even junior lineholders can get a lot of time off (17-18 days off) with about 70-80 hrs credit. There are 1, 2, 3, and 4 day pairings. Everyone is different in terms of what they want. Local guys like 1 and 2 day trips. Commuters obviously prefer commutable 4-day trips to minimize commutes per month. Pairings are usually productive but it depends on lots of factors. If you're doing a typical 2 day, it's one or two leg transcons and then back the next day so you are doing 11-13 hrs. Productive one days can easily be 6-7.5 hrs (unless you have one of those SEA turn day trip that's about 4 hrs). The most productive day trip is where you fly to the east and then deadhead back same day on the same plane. Deadhead only pays 50% but this operate out/DH back trip can net 8-9 hrs of pay for one day and goes super senior. Most of the 4-days I've seen are 20+ hrs. 23-27 hrs but again it all depends.
Reserve currently have a system where on a 5-day stretch the day 1 report is 3:30pm availability and then over the 5 days switches to a AM window and then a PM window. However, under FAR 117 the company will be switching to straight AM, PM reserve windows. So if you get a 5 day reserve stretch of AM, then that's a 3:30am availability and means you will have to come in the day before. Reserves are going to take a significant hit on QOL under FAR 117. Because of the nature of schedules especially in the first quarter and the slower Sept/Oct months, quite a few pilots who are junior lineholders in the Summer end up back on reserve in Sept or the first quarter. So they go back and forth until they move up the list some more. I lucked out big time because I was hired in a hiring cycle that was in great numbers so I have only done one month on reserve and never since. But guys hired just a few months later have been going back and forth between reserve in the slow months to lineholders in the busy times.
Your last statement is correct now with FAR 117 - things will always be changing in terms of schedules, efficiencies, and buffers the company builds. For the most part, your questions cannot be answered until everyone sees just how FAR 117 looks in actual practice. If you're hired now you can plan on being reserve for quite some time and reserve seems to have a huge impact from 117.
10-26-2013, 04:34 PM
#713
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,938
For short call reserve yes 2 hrs in SFO and LAX and 3 hrs in NYC (JFK/EWR). Reserves get a transportation stipend if the assignment is out of EWR and they have to get there from JFK once the base opens up Dec 1. Long call reserve callout is greater obviously. I can't recall the exact number but I think it's 13-15 hours. And yes if you live in base then reserve is much better on you as opposed to commuting to reserve.
10-27-2013, 08:18 AM
#715
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,459
I dug through the last 30 pages of this thread looking for an answer, but couldn't find one.
I applied in Nov 2011 with less than 4K hours. They subsequently invited me to complete the online test, the really hard one, and a second part which seemed like a personality assessment. Never went any further - not surprisingly since I didn't meet the mins.
Now, I've just re-applied for this window, with the same login, and now I do meet the mins.
Question: Will my previously submitted assessments be used, or will I be asked to do them again?
Main reason I ask is because my internal contacts are waiting for me to get past that phase before they can lend a hand.
Thanks all!
I applied in Nov 2011 with less than 4K hours. They subsequently invited me to complete the online test, the really hard one, and a second part which seemed like a personality assessment. Never went any further - not surprisingly since I didn't meet the mins.
Now, I've just re-applied for this window, with the same login, and now I do meet the mins.
Question: Will my previously submitted assessments be used, or will I be asked to do them again?
Main reason I ask is because my internal contacts are waiting for me to get past that phase before they can lend a hand.
Thanks all!
10-27-2013, 08:35 AM
#716
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Airline #4
Posts: 450
I dug through the last 30 pages of this thread looking for an answer, but couldn't find one.
I applied in Nov 2011 with less than 4K hours. They subsequently invited me to complete the online test, the really hard one, and a second part which seemed like a personality assessment. Never went any further - not surprisingly since I didn't meet the mins.
Now, I've just re-applied for this window, with the same login, and now I do meet the mins.
Question: Will my previously submitted assessments be used, or will I be asked to do them again?
Main reason I ask is because my internal contacts are waiting for me to get past that phase before they can lend a hand.
Thanks all!
I applied in Nov 2011 with less than 4K hours. They subsequently invited me to complete the online test, the really hard one, and a second part which seemed like a personality assessment. Never went any further - not surprisingly since I didn't meet the mins.
Now, I've just re-applied for this window, with the same login, and now I do meet the mins.
Question: Will my previously submitted assessments be used, or will I be asked to do them again?
Main reason I ask is because my internal contacts are waiting for me to get past that phase before they can lend a hand.
Thanks all!
10-29-2013, 09:11 AM
#719
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: A300, FO
Posts: 311
Do you have less than 4000tt? If you checked no on the drop down menu. I'm pretty sure you will not get one. It is setup to give you the assessment right away if you meet all the mins.
Now before you get your panties in a wad relax. We just lowered the mins, and I believe this to be an oversight kinda like the left hand didn't talk to the right. It has been brought up and fixed. Now as far as those people who applied with less than 4000tt I'm not sure what they are gonna do. I had a close friend who I emailed HR about and let them know about this problem. They said they would email him the pre visor. So hopefully they will look through the apps and email out a pre visor.
Good luck
Now before you get your panties in a wad relax. We just lowered the mins, and I believe this to be an oversight kinda like the left hand didn't talk to the right. It has been brought up and fixed. Now as far as those people who applied with less than 4000tt I'm not sure what they are gonna do. I had a close friend who I emailed HR about and let them know about this problem. They said they would email him the pre visor. So hopefully they will look through the apps and email out a pre visor.
Good luck
10-29-2013, 11:06 AM
#720
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,459
Do you have less than 4000tt? If you checked no on the drop down menu. I'm pretty sure you will not get one. It is setup to give you the assessment right away if you meet all the mins.
Now before you get your panties in a wad relax. We just lowered the mins, and I believe this to be an oversight kinda like the left hand didn't talk to the right. It has been brought up and fixed. Now as far as those people who applied with less than 4000tt I'm not sure what they are gonna do. I had a close friend who I emailed HR about and let them know about this problem. They said they would email him the pre visor. So hopefully they will look through the apps and email out a pre visor.
Good luck
Now before you get your panties in a wad relax. We just lowered the mins, and I believe this to be an oversight kinda like the left hand didn't talk to the right. It has been brought up and fixed. Now as far as those people who applied with less than 4000tt I'm not sure what they are gonna do. I had a close friend who I emailed HR about and let them know about this problem. They said they would email him the pre visor. So hopefully they will look through the apps and email out a pre visor.
Good luck
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