Go Cards go

I’m at Delta. You can drop as many trips as you want as long as there’s reserve coverage over the days you want to drop the trip. We also have a pilot swap board where someone else can pick up your trip from you. I’ve used both with success. For the past year or so there’s been pretty good coverage to be able to drop most of the time with the exception of holidays. When staffing gets tight, you’re pretty much stuck. You do get one drop a year when reserve coverage is low. That being said, spend some time learning how PBS works and how to bid successfully to get the days off you want. You’d be surprised at how many guys senior to you don’t. In my first three years, I’ve worked one Christmas and that was a 2200 sign in so....I technically worked Christmas, but was home most of the day. You’ve just got to plan ahead, put in some time learning the system, and maybe have a little luck. I had the last two weeks of December off each of the last two years. I think our PBS system works really well to get you the days off you want if you know how to do it Wherever you decide to work, pay attention and take lots of notes the day they talk about bidding schedules (by whatever system you have). Then use any resources you have to learn the system really well. It’s time we’ll spent in my opinion.
Good luck!

SlipKid

Weekday turns don't last long on the Capts side. Weekday 2 days take a little longer to unload. Weekend turns will usually go, 2 days too. 3 and 4 days any day of the week are really hit or miss. I've been surprised at some of the stuff that people picked up and vice versa.

I've also had good luck splitting trips in domicile as well as my commuter city.

aa73

I’ve successfully dropped close to 100% of my AA schedule every month since holding a line last summer, and rebuilt to 90hrs using out of base trips. It’s very doable here. Like Al Czervik said... ya gotta know how to do it.

Al Czervik

With that good coverage are green slip trips still around?

EMBFlyer

The three-day I'm currently on turned green for a good hour on Sunday in the middle of the day.

Al Czervik

I don’t think you understood my question.

BKbigfish

The schedule flexibility at Spirit is fantastic. You can drop/swap with open time down to zero credit depending on the reserve grid. Each month must start with 75% green days (adequate reserve coverage) so dropping here has never been an issue for me. Some of that depends on seniority and how early in the month you submit your drop requests as the grid usually turns more red as the month progresses. You can also drop/swap with other pilots if the reserve grid is red. All in all it’s a great system and it’s one of the main reasons I have stayed at Spirit as a commuter. In 5 years I’ve worked 1 holiday I didn’t want to and that was when I was really junior. PBS is coming so that’s a bit of an unknown but could very well lead to even greater flexibilty (for line holders at least) IMO. It’s certainly not a reason to come to NK as pay and upgrade times will be more favorable elsewhere but if you end up here for whatever reason I think you’ll be more than pleased with the schedule flexibility.

EMBFlyer

I just reread it. I hadn't had my coffee yet this morning. Nevermind.

Go Cards go

Few and far between. Even on a day like today with all the weather cancels and reroutes there are very few.

P Owed Captain

I had seen a lot of NK pilots expressing fear that schedule flexibility was going away with the new contract, so I'm happy to hear things are still good for you guys!