What Is Reserve Like At Us Airways?

[FlyUs]

I am not on reserve, and never really have been, except for when I was CMH based, and that was a whole different ball-game, and pre-union, besides.

But, I don't believe seniority plays much of a part in our reserve system at HP, as far as who will fly, and what assignments they get (trips vs hot reserve vs standby).
I believe they try to rotate thru the list and try to keep everyone averaging similar credit.

[post="294757"][/post]​

You guys had a base in CMH?

 

[N109UW]

At US you are released at the end of your trip and do not have to call scheduling at all. You are not required to answer the jetway phone and if you do then shame on you. If the company wants you bad enough they will reach you from the flight deck and then of course you would have to call them back. If they page you or call your cell you are not required to call them back.

[post="294829"][/post]​

Correct, except when a supervisor meets you at your arr. gate and escorts you over to your next gate. Which has happened recently, here in CLT.

 

[Optimist]

Well is there any positive things about being on reserve at US Airways?

 

[Light Years]

Yes, up until a couple years ago it was the best system in the industry. They called and you just said "Pass" if you didn't want to fly for whatever reason. "And don't call me back until you have an afternoon check-in two day on the 757." Plus if you worked really hard, by choice, you could "time out" by the 17th of the month and be off for the remainder.

International reserve was fabulous if you were junior- you could basically take a year off, maybe fly to Europe once every couple of months, all the while recieving your guarantee with a few more dollars an hour because you were "International."

Good times.

 

[Optimist]

You guys had a base in CMH?

[post="294853"][/post]​

Yes we did, but the company would like to have satelite bases in the future. I hope it happens!

 

[desertgal]

The CMH base was a reserve only base, opened in 92'. For the first 2yrs, the FAs there were still cross-utilized. Some shifts were gate or counter only, some were gate or counter w/possibility of being pulled to fly, some were s/b at home.
After the cross-utilization was discontinued, we were 24hr 1hr call.
At that time, we had a mini-hub in CMH, but all the pairings were out of PHX.
We were used mostly for sick calls or irreg ops. We also did some charters.
Really a piece of cake.
They closed it down maybe 3yrs(?) ago, by then there were only 6 reserves left.

 

[AL-PS-PI-AW]

At US you are released at the end of your trip and do not have to call scheduling at all. You are not required to answer the jetway phone and if you do then shame on you. If the company wants you bad enough they will reach you from the flight deck and then of course you would have to call them back. If they page you or call your cell you are not required to call them back.

[post="294829"][/post]​

Sadly...once you arrive at the gate you are still on duty for 15 minutes. If scheduling tries to contact you you have to reply to back to them.

 

[phl/yyz]

Well is there any positive things about being on reserve at US Airways?

[post="294948"][/post]​

it;s not that bad...just went back on RSV first time in years...had 4 legs today they CNX the turn 2ed and 3rd leg...now I am sitting at home checkin out the computer going to do my yard work and fly my last leg tonight...systems even offer me a day room...I like getting paid by the company to do my yard work and sit at home...it's all what you make of it...the glass is half full...at least I am not in MSY

 

[N109UW]

Yes, up until a couple years ago it was the best system in the industry. They called and you just said "Pass" if you didn't want to fly for whatever reason. "And don't call me back until you have an afternoon check-in two day on the 757." Plus if you worked really hard, by choice, you could "time out" by the 17th of the month and be off for the remainder.

International reserve was fabulous if you were junior- you could basically take a year off, maybe fly to Europe once every couple of months, all the while recieving your guarantee with a few more dollars an hour because you were "International."

Good times.

[post="294951"][/post]​

One of the main reasons for changing to this new LTO system was so people would hav to work. You could pass, however, F/A's were passing trying not to fly. They would end up with 15-25 hours a month. Not really very useful for the company. They would pass for all-nighters or 2E's hoping not to get anything. These folk's were making between $30,000 and $35,000 per year, just at min. guarantee. Put the numbers together. 10 people =$350,000, 100 people system wide would be 3.5 million dollars. We took a paycut back in 2002 of 13%. That 13% supplemented these folks not working. They were trying to force these folks back to work with this new system. it didn't work. Most either took a VF or now they took the buyout. So who got left with this #### system, all the good reserves who just wanted to come to work and do their job.

 

[airlinedivalish]

I don't know what LTO means, so I can't comment. But it sounds like your reserve system is much better than HP. I hope they keep this system. I think it is wonderful. Reserves at HP needs a major overhaul and you are required to call scheduling and get tag etc. (Tagging means they can add a trip to your trip once you get back to your base) Some of the Schedulers at HP are vicious and they own your ass! You don't get to pick your trips and they give you bad trips if you turn it down or complain. They can also manipulate your days off and move them around. It's crazy! (I don't know why AFA agreed to this.) This has to go otherwise, you'll see more people quitting if we stay in this system forever. You don't get a life.
I like the reserve system at US better. I say, get rid of the bad things that no longer works in both AWA and US Contracts and keep the good ones. I would much rather have the flexibility.

 

[Twicebaked]

I don't know what LTO means, so I can't comment. But it sounds like your reserve system is much better than HP. I hope they keep this system. I think it is wonderful. Reserves at HP needs a major overhaul and you are required to call scheduling and get tag etc. (Tagging means they can add a trip to your trip once you get back to your base) Some of the Schedulers at HP are vicious and they own your ass! You don't get to pick your trips and they give you bad trips if you turn it down or complain. They can also manipulate your days off and move them around. It's crazy! (I don't know why AFA agreed to this.) This has to go otherwise, you'll see more people quitting if we stay in this system forever. You don't get a life.
I like the reserve system at US better. I say, get rid of the bad things that no longer works in both AWA and US Contracts and keep the good ones. I would much rather have the flexibility.

[post="295127"][/post]​

NO NO NO NO NO!!! Don't say that. There can't possibly be anything worse!! :down:

 

[N109UW]

NO NO NO NO NO!!! Don't say that. There can't possibly be anything worse!! :down:

[post="295145"][/post]​

Amen, we have no seniority in our reserve system, except for the first trip of the month. That goes in seniority order until you take your first trip, then you get shuffled to the back. Also, if we didn't pick up trips on the ETB(again, we have to give up our precious days off to do this) we would only fly about 45 hours per month(That is the average in CLT, each base will be alittle different). We do get a 71 hour min. guarantee, but doesn't cut it for most reserves. Here is another great example of our LTO system. A commuter F/A takes a 4 day trip at the beginning of the month(their LTO would be about 24%). They stay the night in a hotel and go home the next day or if they are still on duty for 2 days, they end up spending 2 nights in a hotel. They spend 3 wonderful days at home with the family. They fly back to base and because they are at LTO 24%, they have to wait for most everyone else to catch up. Now they spend 3 more nights in a hotel. Scheduling finally calls you to fly. You go off in 2 days and all they have is 3 & 4 day trips. You ROC(remain on call) and don't get anything, so you now have sat for your entire 5 days on duty at a hotel here in CLT. It happens all the time, some F/A's have gone back to crashpad days after being here 10-12 years. And it's worse than I am describing. You don't want this system.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

N109UW, its the airline business. Believe me, if you had 20+ years senority you wouldn't want to give anything up either. Don't hate the senior people because they have a block. You knew this when you signed up for the job. If you don't like the schedule, quit, and go work 9-5 somewhere else. Not trying to be mean, but there was never a "brochure" at US Stew U on having a "sure thing sched." Good luck to you. I know reserve is a real pain in the craw. Keep in mind there are commuters on reserve and quite frankly they have it the worst of all.

 

[desertgal]

It dosen't sound like they utilize the reserves very well.
Reserve guarantee at HP is 70, and they try to get everyone right there at 70 by the end of the month.
Someone shouldn't be paid 70 if they're only flying 45. Makes no business sense.
There is much room for improvement, tho, at HP, as far as how they are deciding who gets what trip, and other things.
The 'tagging' is actually a money-saver for the company.
A line-holder can 'AUTO' (authorized unpaid time off) a turn at the beginning or end of a trip, and that will go to a reserve, (and frequently a lineholder who is on Guaranteed Reserve [GR]).
A newbie reserve makes half what a maxed out line-holder makes, and since they're guaranteed 70 anyway, the company saves by not having to pay the senior person.
AUTOing turns is not automatic, but based on available staffing. You request it by fax ahead of time, or by calling at 12:01am.
I think they could do a better job of combining two turns into a one-day trip and not have to 'tag' so many reserves.

divalish, the reserve system was worse pre-contract. There were NO GDs, so ALL days were subject to being moved.

 

[N109UW]

N109UW, its the airline business. Believe me, if you had 20+ years senority you wouldn't want to give anything up either. Don't hate the senior people because they have a block. You knew this when you signed up for the job. If you don't like the schedule, quit, and go work 9-5 somewhere else. Not trying to be mean, but there was never a "brochure" at US Stew U on having a "sure thing sched." Good luck to you. I know reserve is a real pain in the craw. Keep in mind there are commuters on reserve and quite frankly they have it the worst of all.

[post="295188"][/post]​

Isn't that what I said. My example was of a commuter F/A from LAS.Hey, I'm just a stew who doesn't mind coming to work. I don't hate blockholders either. I might be one one day. I don't want anyone at our new airline to suffer like the US reserves have. No F/A should have to endure the abuse we have had. Our former LEC found that out and guess what, He be gone. And to suggest I quit is a joke. I'm just letting others know what is really going on here. By the way, what do u consider the senior people?30 + years? And actually, I didn't know that when I called Piedmont on the phone. It's never been about Blockholder/Reserve, It's about getting your time in and paying bills. Time pays money.