noospherical

got it thanx

symbian simian

I bid rede eyes for commute, did my first am start in probably 3 years last month, everything else was a red eye. "best" trips commute wise are the worst health wise: REFF, Red Eye Flip Flop. 11pm departure to the east coast, get to the hotel at 7am, 7am departure next morning (so about 22 hours to sleep 8 hours twice and be awake for a normal 16 hours is tight). One or two leg(s) along the east coast, 24 hours in the hotel, one leg back to LAS getting in around 10 am(sometimes followed by a victory lap.

noospherical

I see….so other than redeyes not too much else that’s commutable, at least that would be realistically available to a junior guy? (Maybe/hopefully I’m jumping to a conclusion)

symbian simian

Honestly, I think you will be on short call for at least a year, so, 18 days a month in the crash pad, or if you get lucky, call-outs that don't break guarantee, but at least per diem pays for the beer. No trading/dropping days, an RAP isn't really awarded according to seniority. I really like it here, getting hired years ago, but in your shoes I would cast the whole net...

gflann

There is a lot of truth to this statement. Especially RAP not awarded by seniority but instead “considered”. Zero appetite from the committee to have it changed either. The system is “better than other majors” aka Alleigant...ugh. The russian roulette of R03 through R19 is nauseating when you get the wrong one and the ones you want are awarded to people junior to you.

DrDHD

this couldn’t be more true. When asked about it the response is well that’s how the system works. They are line holders who answers the question so who cares. Needs to be fixed next contact as it’s horrible horrible horrible horrible. Especially if growth stagnates here with the pilot shortage inbound.

Halon1211

You aren’t telling the whole story.

days off has priority over what reserve period you are. Yeah someone junior to you may if got the reserve period but you got the days off.

so then just don’t put a days off request and you should get your reserve period and not have to whine anymore!

HanYolo

What’s being said here is pretty much the truth. Reserve sucks and it’s a phase you’ll have to soldier through. As an FO the seniority goes quicker so hopefully growth in LAS will help get off reserve better. That’s how it worked out for me but plan on longer reserve. Long call goes very senior so don’t expect that. Bidding for the RAP is how you’ll get the RAP. If you enter any other conditions you could easily end up with the undesirable RAP. We have many commuting SoCal people here and they seem to prefer to commute.
Reserve assignments are all over the smorgasbord so sometimes you’ll get the irritating red-eye pairing and then you’ll get it again (and again). It’ll get easier and better. I’ve loved working here so you won’t regret it. Good luck!

MCDUmanipulator

if growth stagnates you can kiss this airline goodbye.

Cyio

LAS is pretty much known as the red eye base. Sure there is flying in what we would call the normal hours, but it does seem to go senior. That said, you can try and bid the 3am reserve shift and commute in the night before, with the bonus that you may be released a night early at the tale end of it, assuming you dont get used. The red eyes, while tiring, tend to be manageable on reserve. If red eye flying is a concern, stay away from LAS as it will be something you do.
Yeah SCR is looking to be right at a year, maybe 10 months. Disagree about the 18 days in a pad. I dont have a crash pad, I commute and the most hotels I have purchased in one month was 5. Maybe I am getting lucky. You can also put yourself on a call me first list if you would prefer to just work, especially if there is a trip that you can use to take advantage of the work rules. No trading and dropping sucks but I do feel RAPs are awarded fairly, however it is based on days off requested first. If you put conditions, you may not get the RAP you want.
Yeah it would seem the people not on reserve think our system is fine. It could use some serious attention on this next contract or I think they will struggle to upgrade folks. I know I won't do this current reserve system again and captains are on it for years, especially in LAS.
Agreed.
Ageed.
Agree with all of this.