CharlesSpringer

Can anyone give me the inside scoop about being based in ORD on the CRJ. Any advice where to go, where to eat and what type of schedule am I looking at? Do they have more 200 or 700 and 900 there? On average what type of hours am I looking at after IOE being on reserve? Also is there a hotel in the area that you can recommend? Thanks

sunglasses

Welcome to Chicago! Reserve will be a month or less (check out the bid info sheet - they hardly build reserve lines here and MSP!) although you may have a composite line the next month. Skybridge has a fantastic breakfast and take a walk over to the American side for Burrito Beach.

Most trips are on the 200, but you'll get a delta 700/900 trip here and there.

I think there's a best western nearby for $60/night with free breakfast. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

You'll be flying a lot on reserve. 90 hour months are typical for line holders.

PM me any other questions.

turboflyin

Call in. That's what I'm going to start doing. My home life is starting to get affected because I'm constantly working 4/2's. You can't go out and fly 16-18 legs for 4 days straight and only have 2 days at home to recover. **** is piling up at home and a patient significant other is losing patience, and I don't blame her one bit, because mines running out as well. My seniority has been going up and up, yet my schedule has been getting worse and worse.

Maybe if they stopped picking up other regional flying and made more efficient schedules I would care more about the company, but when they work us to the limit, AND pickup additional flying, I don't give a crap about reliability.

Cefiro

The best western is probably the best hotel for the money.
There is a motel 6 (which is about $40/night but not very nice) nearby. Although make sure you call the one with a shuttle (believe its Elk Grove).
The La Quinta and comfort inn are also decent but book up fast.

AFflyer

So I just got done with the sim and I start IOE on the 25th. I'll probably finish IOE next month. Does anyone know when I'll be able to starting bidding for my schedule? We received no instruction on PBS, hoping my CA will show me how to do it on IOE. Any advice there?

Lastly, anyone know when SkyWest sends out the W2's for taxes?

Thanks in advance!

Turbosina

I believe if you finish IOE by the 7th (not sure about the date), you can bid for the next month's flying. If not, Crew Scheduling will build you a reserve line, or if there are no reserve lines, you'll get whatever was left after everyone senior to you bid.

As for PBS, I doubt that your CA will teach you how it works while on IOE. There's a lot of misinformation out there; your best bet is to read the PBS User Guide on SWOL, and realize that at your seniority, bidding almost doesn't matter. Unless you're bidding reserve in which case you can bid for your days off, but that's about it.

Even at 20% seniority, guys are having their awarded trips removed and replaced with other trips so the company can cover more flying. I've not been assigned less than 95 hrs since I finished IOE a year ago. The bottom line? Bidding at your level is nearly pointless

WaterRooster

I wish! The ERJ guys are struggling to get the 100 in 120 that are needed to not go back to the sim!

Flip69

What Turbosina said above. PBS is a dog and pony show at this stage. The best strategy is not to bid at all and you won't be disappointed when the company jams your line full of flying with no time to commute home.

WesternSkies

Four points and quality inn are 60 and 42 dollars in the door respectively. Four points really nice, quality inn is anything but quality and quite gross.

Welcome to min days off.

word302

I don't know about all this advice about not bidding when you're new. I got decent schedules because many people above me didn't know how to bid. Read all you can about PBS, understand what's realistic at your seniority, and bid for what you want.