??'s about Pilot Schedules / Routes / Pay

[RichardW-FL-609]

So, I had this huge long thing about picking your schedule, making your route and getting paid for it (the 2nd best part of flying; getting paid for it). Then my battery died on the laptop and I was quite upset. So, it's been a few days, I'm plugged in, and decided that maybe I'll come up with a more concise version. Maybe...

I took a look at your schedule and some of the other coaches as well, I see that you'll have a sort of home base for the month. Which I've seen change over different months. Say, I live in Tampa (ok I do...) and get a route this month out of Orlando. Sweet, I can make that drive for my report times even though it is a 2hr drive. It's worth it. But it leads me to lots of questions. What happens when I've got a release that leaves me in Atlanta and I'm off the next day... How do I get home??
Ok, another one. I live in tampa and get a route in Atlanta. How in the world do I report to work then??
I'm going to assume (which I know better than to do) that if your employer has flights that they'll let you jump a standby seat to get to work. How about in the case that I live on the east coast and I work for a west coast regional with no flights out of my local airports. I'm not going to be wealthy enough my first year to call upon my private Djet. Is the airline going to expect me to move??? I recently learned that your employer can dictate where you live. Right down to the neighborhood actually. I was fired as a locksmith for not moving to the exact apartment complex that they told me to live in. I was willing but not able to afford that particular place, told them to pay for it, or pay me more, and they denied me. I was fired and my attorney said it was stupid, but legal... I dont want to wind up losing a job with an airline based on where I live.

More on schedules. I saw you mentioned you were bid #13 (or whatever) out of 200 - 1st Officers in MEM... What does this mean? Are there ever more pilots than routes? I understand from the forum of another one of the coaches that you get paid hourly "from the time the passenger door closes, till it opens at the arrival gate." So that doesnt include layover time between flights in far away cities. Is this covered by some sort of cheap base pay that you recieve? I know they pay for lodging while you're on an overnight trip, as they should. I also understand it varies in efficiency from route to route, obviously everyone wants the more efficient route (to maximize pay while on duty) and thats goin to goto the guys with the most seniority. Hence ATP's slogan, Seniority is Everything—Get there First...
Whats a deadhead??
In what cases do you get per diem pay??
Off the wall bonus question; How hard is it to manage a 2nd job as a flight instructor while working as an airline pilot??


Hmmm, So much for concise. I'm going to just leave it at this for now. Feel free to add more if there's anything else relates to my questions.


Ok, thanks in advance!!
-RicW

[Pinnacle Bobby]

Ric--

Each pilot is able to bid and assigned to a domicile (home base), you're able to bid for the location of your choice but everything is awarded by seniority. Some bases are more senior than others so it may take several months to build enough seniority to hold the domicile of your choice, but eventually you'll get there. All trips will release in your assigned domicile. If the last leg of a trip happens to end in KATL, you'll "deadhead" for some pay credit as a passenger and be released in domicile.

If your domicile is located away from home you'll be a commuter (like me). Airlines have reciprical jumpseat agreements with most other airlines so you're able to fly at no charge to get to work. If there's not a seat available in the cabin you'll be able to occupy the jumpseat in the flight deck if it's available. As for flights out of your local particular airport; the airline isn't concerned with how you get to work, just that you're where you need to be when you need to be, there's little tolerance for being tardy.

When I mentioned being #13 out of 200 that particular month...there were approximately 200 First Officers available; and my seniority was high enough that basically I was First Officer #13 for getting my choice of lines for that month....so 187 First Officers below get to choose what's left.

Your statement is correct about when pay begins and ends for each flight. Per diem is also paid during your trip, anywhere from $1.20 - $1.80 per hour depending on the airline. This runs on a 24 hour clock; if your 3 day trip lasts67 hours you'll be paid 67 hours of per diem.

Bonus question answer: As a junior First Officer it would be difficult because of minimum days off. Secondly, most (if not all) airlines will have a clause in the contract stating that you may not participate in any other Part 121 flying. This is to keep you from going over the FAA authorized commercial flight hours per month..(8/day, 30/week, 100/month, 1000/year). But....some airlines may offer exceptions given you do not exceed these times.

Good questions Ric, keep them coming!


Bobby