Life as a Reserve Pilot
Life as a Reserve Pilot.
Folks, I gotta tell ya: as far as flying jobs go, I’ve had it mighty cushy this century.
I’ve had a relatively steady job, and a steady paycheck. I’ve flown a somewhat decent schedule, and—all in all—I’ve enjoyed the pilot job immensely.
Moreover, I’m still swooning over my new position as 777 Cap’n.
But!
As I’ve written about quite a bit on the blog here, there’s been a LOT that’s changed. Not only learning a new plane, and a new way of doing things (Boeing vs. Airbus), but I’ve had to adapt to the international side of things.
What’s more, now I have to “commute” to another city to start my work day.
Life as a Reserve Pilot
Seniority
As we’ve discussed here many times, to an airline pilot, Seniority is everything.
Basically, how long you’ve flown for the Company dictates what plane you can fly, what seat (Captain or FO) you can hold, and even what base (city) you can fly out of.
And, then, there’s the schedule.
Can your seniority keep you from flying redeyes? Can it get you weekends off?
Thanksgiving?
Christmas?
Can you even “Hold a Line” (schedule), or are you “stuck on Reserve?” (no schedule; just on call.)
Today, we explore just that!
Juniority
For me, going from A321 to the 777 has been similar to going from big fish in a small pond, to a little fish in a big pond.
Basically, I’m now on the most senior plane in my airline. That is, my “relative seniority” (specific bidding position for my airplane, seat, and base) has plummeted.
So, I’m now “junior” again.
I know what you’re saying!
“But—but Cap’n Aux! You’re, like, the most senior pilot in the ‘verse! You were born with 4 stripes on your shoulders!!!”
I know it seems like that, but I actually have “only” 31 years with my Company!
In the meantime, many other 777 Captains have…35 years or more!
As a result, I went from a bidding position in the top 40% on the Airbus, to about the bottom 80% on the 777.
And, for any given airplane, 80% is just around the limit of scheduled line holders.
What that means is that I am so junior now, I may get a line (schedule) for the month, or instead I get to experience…
Life as a Reserve Pilot
There I Wuz!
Adventures From 3 Decades in the Sky
Four volumes of TRUE aeronautical adventures, from Cap’n Aux and other aviators!
Life as a Reserve Pilot
Line holder vs. Reserve Pilot
Take a look at my February and March flight schedules, below.
On the left, in February, I was a “line holder.”
That is, I got a pre-scheduled set of trips to fly (grey lines). I knew where I was going, when, and how to plan for it.
In March, however (R), I “Sat Reserve.” In other words, I was not given a pre-set bunch of trips to fly, but instead a schedule of days in which to wait for the phone to ring.
If a pilot called in sick, or a trip was understaffed with the Captain for some reason, then I might be called to fly that trip.
Note: In March, the blank days I sat Reserve; the yellow days I had off.
Life as a Reserve Pilot
To Reserve or Not to Reserve
Sitting around getting paid to wait for the phone to ring may not sound like such a bad gig, right?
While Reserve tends to go junior, frankly, many senior pilots intentionally bid Reserve for just that reason. Indeed, some pilots have their own businesses to run, hobbies to pursue, or families to raise. So, they find that sitting reserve and not flying as much as a line holder would—while perhaps for less pay—is actually pretty sweet!
In fact, the last time I sat reserve was as a junior A320 FO in PHX in the early 90s. Tell the truth, I spent my time “sitting reserve” on the golf courses of PHX.
Honestly, I’ve never had a better golf handicap—single digits, TUVM!!
(OK, so not my best drive. But, I got a par nonetheless!)
Life as a Reserve Pilot
Commuting on Reserve
Next week, we’ll explore the challenges of living and working in two different parts of the country—all while Sitting Reserve!
Hemisphere Dancing Report
Hemisphere Monkeyin'!
Last week, I mentioned a great place in Manhattan called “The Soup Kitchen.”
Recently, by chance, I visited several places around the globe that have “monkey” themes!
For example, also in JFK near our hotel, my crew and I visited “The Three Monkeys” for a good dinner and brew. On that same trip, we also found ourselves joining some of our other crew at London’s “Monkey Puzzle.”
I can tell you, everything we had at this traditional English pub was über scrumptious!
What’s more, a top priority on Bunny’s and my recent anniversary trip to OGG (Maui) was to hit the well-known “Monkey Pod” for a lovely dinner as well.
Yes, there’s great “Monkeys” in every hemisphere!
Till the next post,
This is Cap'n Aux
Reserving Off!
Cleared to Land
Touching Down Next
Life as a Commuter Pilot on Reserve!
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