ThumbsUp

The data isn't available for last summer, but here is May.

May EWR 777 FO:

Mean 2.22807
Standard Error 0.182261
Median 2
Mode 3
Minimum 0
Maximum 7

The average number of hours flown is 29:30.

Contrasting that with May SFO 777 FO:

Mean 2.333333
Standard Error 0.29227
Median 2
Mode 0
Min 0
Max 9

The average number of hours flown is 55.

So, SFO has much more variance, with many people getting 0 SCs, but also flying more on average, which I would guess is due mainly to the high commuter count picking up open flying.

LJ Driver

Each base will certainly vary slightly from the results of this methodology, but the data simply does not suggest that many pilots are getting banged with 6 short calls a month.

If this average is semi-close (data doesn’t lie, I feel like it is) when pilots pick up more than 3 short calls or pick up trips, it actually skews the average DOWN for those that don’t pick up anything.

Dave Fitzgerald

IN SFO wide body? Not many. It will work for the domestic flying but mostly not for anything across the Pacific. You just don't have the duty day--which makes no sense to assign in the first place.

As far as cost to cancel a wide body flight, the crew desk gets very creative. This is where they are short sighted and don't see the unlimited SC's as a liability.

What the crew desk will do is go to 100% add pay, start junior/senior manning. Which is problematic WRT the FAR's. The FRMS flights require pre trip rest, which may or may not be legal with a call, how fast can you get to the airport? Depending on how desperate they get, they will also drop multiple trips to make you legal. But, get it in writing--even then they will promise stuff that they can't deliver just to get you to the plane. Even in writing if it's illegal, you are screwed WRT pay.

The cost of a cancellation? A decade ago it was $1M+. Now I'm sure it's more if you have a full 777-300. Cargo, people, plane out of position, the next return flight is now cancelled too. Hotels, meals for the people.....As you can see, the crew desk will promise anything to get the flight crewed, and make individual deals against the contract. And....SFO won't authorized princess parking for a short call out, or positive space commuting?? GAFB.

Brickfire

I agree. But that’s not the point

It’s like saying build your house by a creek, it only floods every couple years.

Pilots avoid commuting to reserve because once a year they can get hammered

Bahamasflyer

Wait….one is contractually entitled to princess parking if given a callout between 2.5 and 3 hours. Also,
why are people accepting illegal assignments in the first place?

Dave Fitzgerald

Lots of new pilots. They don't know the contract well enough to know if an assignment is legal or not. Pluss, anyone on probation is reluctant to call out the crew desk on an illegal assignment.

Parking, I've been told both ways, we don't do princess parking, and I've had them not bad an eye lash at authorizing it. It may be related to our CP.

Bahamasflyer

That's unfortunate. As long as one is polite but firm, its no big deal. Being familiar with the specific section will also help. Probies are entitles to all the protections and benefits of the UPA that any other pilot.

TFAYD

i always got princess parking when I asked for it. It was never questioned argued about. They were usually just happy that I made it in time …

11atsomto

I Haven’t started class yet, and thus no equip assignment. However, I’m looking for an explanation on what Global Reserve is. Can you have days off that are moved or adjusted? What exactly is Field Standby? I live like 37 mins from EWR ….so short call really isn’t something that would be bothersome to me the way it would be for the majority.

LJ Driver

As calculated above, expect a few short calls per month, no field standbys, and pretty unlikely they will call you to fly. Overall sounds like a great gig, especially being close.