flyingisok

When it comes to schedule flexibility, how do the major airlines compare to one another?

Background: I have a little bit of time left in the military and am starting to discuss future job options with my wife and kiddos.

At this point in my life, I don't have a desire to fly 900 hrs a year and spend that much time away from the family. Instead of flying 75 hrs/month all year...I'd rather fly, say, 100 hrs/month for 3 months straight, and then 20 hrs/month for 3 months straight. rinse & repeat

So, since my initial question was super vague, I guess here are my real questions.
1) Is a schedule like this even allowed? Or are there no **** minimum hour requirements each month
2) Are any of the major airlines more/less accepting of schedule creativity than others?
3) Would I ever run into any currency issues?
4) Would PBS or straight bidding make a difference?
5) Anything else I'm not factoring in?

I guess that's it. I'm aware that this might be a pretty dumb question, but I'm sure you nice folks will let me know if it is

Thanks for your time!

deadseal

I’ve been on call Monday through Friday for 3 weeks. Haven’t turned a wheel. Delta, 7er, 4 year seniority

I’m too lazy to answer your posts.

Live in domicile, bid reserve on a fat category. Don’t be a bottom feeder in said category

This will equal QOL

PRS Guitars

Are you going to be in the reserves or guard? If so, you can absolutely do 100ish a month for a few months then drop to 20 using mil leave at pretty much any airline.

Other than that, this is a tough comparison, simply because there aren’t a lot of guys who’ve worked at multiple major airlines and can make an accurate comparison.

Queue the SWA fanboys that will claim the best schedule flexibility in the industry...

Gators

Spirit might have the best schedule flexibility as a line holder. Most months you can drop or trade trips as much as you like

e6bpilot

You can do it easily at SWA with a little seniority. And yes, we really do have some great schedule manipulation tools available to us. It is hard to do a straight drop to the company, but I am able to get rid of half or more of my flying each month through giveaways and overlap pull. Right now I could clear my whole month if I wanted to since it is so slow and we are so overmanned.
Also a week of vacation equals two weeks of flying pulled with pay. Two weeks equals a month or more off.
Other airlines allow you to do a straight up drop to the company on days where manning is solid. We unfortunately don’t have that.

And as for flying more, the sky is the limit here. The only restriction is FAR 117.

NotTellin

Alaska is the worst. Worse than several regionals for scheduling flexibility.

Al Czervik

The problem you’re going to run into is what’s happening now vs later. Looking at the posts above in five years Alaska may be the best and spirit may be the worst. Pick an airline based on location/seniority/type of flying.

e6bpilot

Bingo.

Filler.

Smokey23

Seniority=flexibility. Hopefully you will get on board with an airline where your seat/domicile seniority (the seniority that really matters) will improve quickly. Apply to all of them and go with the one that hires you first.


In the current environment, there's no wrong answer.

ShyGuy

Guys entering the industry with this kind of mentality are setting up for disappointment no matter where you go. What Al Cz. said above is spot on. Contracts and scheduling section/rules can easily change.