Living in Base on Rsv vs Commuting to be a b/h

[whattodo89]

Hello fellow f/a's. I need your help. I live in Philly and will be going back on reserve in Feb. I was wondering from those of you out there who have experienced both being on reserve and being a b/h if I could have your help. With the present reserve system, what is a better quality of life, living in base and being on reserve or commuting to another base and being a b/h. Looking for your honest opinions here. Havea tough choice to make and dont know what to do. I have been a resere under the old system but never the new one. Your help please.

 

[RSVSUCKS]

Hello fellow f/a's. I need your help. I live in Philly and will be going back on reserve in Feb. I was wondering from those of you out there who have experienced both being on reserve and being a b/h if I could have your help. With the present reserve system, what is a better quality of life, living in base and being on reserve or commuting to another base and being a b/h. Looking for your honest opinions here. Havea tough choice to make and dont know what to do. I have been a resere under the old system but never the new one. Your help please.

I"m just on reserve but I moved to base - you have to live where you are based on RSV for sure - but if you can hold a block somewhere else go for it if you think you can take the commute - RSV sucks for sure - hope that helps

 

[tahitigirl]

I've never been a BH but have thought many times of chasing a block. As a reserve living in base you can only expect a 73hr. paycheck. I've not broken guarantee since the new reserve system was put into place. Most reserves have catcrew at home to check their numbers. Many times I print off the list ahead of me before future so I know what everyone is good for (once people roc it no longer shows a number). Also it helps to know which f/a's are lodo. I also count how many are junior and good for as many days as me (you can be the most senior on call in the base and still get quick called). Some people who live in base love doing opr it pays 3.30hrs. for 4hrs. work and most of the time they get to go home. It's all about quality of life. I'm home more as a reserve who lives in base than a commuter.

 

[Hot Nuts]

I totally agree with ya TahitiGirl, I live in base and am on reserve and think its just fine...I'm not saying the reserve system is that great just being home and not adding stress to my life by commuting to another base just to hold a line. Worrying about what trips are commutable, getting on the flight, finding a place to stay, and trying to get home after the trip...no thanks!

Block hopping is for fools with no life. :down:

 

[tahitigirl]

One of my biggest concerns about chasing a block is that I would lose my block and not be able to transfer back into clt. Those that have it the wrost are those that commute on reserve.

 

[whattodo89]

I live in Philly and what I am planning on doing is either tranferring to LGA or DCA and driving before to either base for my trips so the flights would not be an issue. Still not sure of what to do.

 

[FlightChic]

I live in Philly and what I am planning on doing is either tranferring to LGA or DCA and driving before to either base for my trips so the flights would not be an issue. Still not sure of what to do.

Do you want to be at home all the time and collect a 73 hour paycheck since you won't be flying or do you want to work? If you want to be at home and not have to work then be a reserve in PHL. If you don't think you can make it on the 73 hour guarantee or if you actually want to work, then commute for a block.

 

[whattodo89]

Do you want to be at home all the time and collect a 73 hour paycheck since you won't be flying or do you want to work? If you want to be at home and not have to work then be a reserve in PHL. If you don't think you can make it on the 73 hour guarantee or if you actually want to work, then commute for a block.

I hate doing International. How hard it is to be on reserve and avoid flying t/a?

 

[tahitigirl]

In clt we only have two TA trips. If they call you for it you are stuck with it. I've seen people take no contacts just to avoid LGW and FRA.

 

[FlightChic]

I hate doing International. How hard it is to be on reserve and avoid flying t/a?

Repeat after me "I am fatigued and it is not safe for me to fly."

If daily assigns you a transatlantic flight, go to the crew room at B6 and you'll find someone to switch with you.

If they quick call you wait your 15 minutes and call back after it is covered.

If daily calls you at night after you have been on duty all day say you are fatigued. Actually, you can do the fatigued thing anytime, but I usually save it for those late night calls for intl flts. They can't make you if you are fatigued and you can't get in trouble for it.

You can also say you don't have your passport. You can make up some excuse about changing pocketbooks and you left your passport in the other one that is at home or say you lost it or something. You can use that excuse once.

You could also do like another poster said and take a no contact.

 

[whattodo89]

I am sorry for all the questions but it has been years since I have been on reserve and want to make sure I make the right decision. I will have to get a part time job for sure and was wonering how often do you get assigned into your days off? I will have to rely on the additional income from the part time job and would have to do it on my off days. Sorry for all the questions guys but I don't know where else to turn to.

 

[FlightChic]

I am sorry for all the questions but it has been years since I have been on reserve and want to make sure I make the right decision. I will have to get a part time job for sure and was wonering how often do you get assigned into your days off? I will have to rely on the additional income from the part time job and would have to do it on my off days. Sorry for all the questions guys but I don't know where else to turn to.

They assigned me into my days off quite a few times this summer. Also, if you have an important event planned for your days off then you can pretty much count on scheduling assigning you into your off days. That's what happens to me anyway. Bother way, before some smart ### decides to say "why don't you get inv days for important events?" I'll just state that at my seniority and because of the way the reserve lines are built I usually take what I can get. Are you aware that we find out our schedules a week before the new month begins?

 

[a320av8r]

Hello fellow f/a's. I need your help. I live in Philly and will be going back on reserve in Feb. I was wondering from those of you out there who have experienced both being on reserve and being a b/h if I could have your help. With the present reserve system, what is a better quality of life, living in base and being on reserve or commuting to another base and being a b/h. Looking for your honest opinions here. Havea tough choice to make and dont know what to do. I have been a resere under the old system but never the new one. Your help please.

Being in base beats commuting anytime!

 

[USCREW]

My opinion may be a little different. It's always been a priority for me to live where my life is and that meant commuting HNL-PIT for the first seven years. My decision had nothing to do with being on reserve or chasing a block. If you live in base for the sole reason of avoiding a commute, what else besides this job is there for you when you get home? If you don't have a need to be close to anyone right now, then I would consider the other income possibility that you mentioned as well as living costs. Having a regular part time job may require you to have more control over your flying schedule. Are you thinking of a particular field? Also, you haven't been on reserve in a while--I hear it sux, so why go there if you have a choice?

 

[HP_JACK]

Were you bumped back to reserve?