TONY: CQ TRAINING STRATEGY

After querying some Reserve Pros on the conventional wisdom behind scheduling our annual FAA-mandated "Continuing Qualification" training, I developed a strategy of my own, in view of their sage guidance.

Essentially I have two blocks of days where I am a prime target for a trip:  a block of 6 during the first week and block of 5 at the end of the second week of February.  These two opportunities for Crew Scheduling (CS) to exploit me are split by my "immovable days off".  I place "immovable days" in quotation marks because immovable is more a suggestion than a certainty, from what I'm told.  When the operation requires it, CS can move heaven and earth and immovable days, too!

Since I loathe to drive during rush hour to/from the airport (where our training is held), I'm shooting for a SA/SU class schedule (it's a 2-day training, this year.)  There are other, rather intangible benefits to attending scheduled training over the weekend.  But that's a separate discussion...

As soon as the 3 o'clock "window" opened, I dialed in to speak to CS:

Scheduling, this is "K".  May I have your employee number?

Hi K, XXX3 Tango, calling to put CQ on my line.

OK, Anthony, what day are you looking for?

How about HR001 on 2/15?

(Somewhat muffled) "No, can't do it.  Uh, uh."

(Drat, my best-laid  plan isn't going to work!, I think)

K, are you talking to me?

Oh, no, Anthony, sorry.  HR001 on the 15th.  You're good to go!

Excellent!  Thanks K.

Click.

(Whew.  Cleared another hurdle!)

Now, all of my scheming and planning won't amount to a hill of beans if there's an "operational need" later in the month.  I've been informed, repeatedly, that CS always finds a way to get what they want and need out of a Reserve.  But I have to say, that aside from some shaky information provision, thusfar, things are looking pretty good.

Now, time to do a little "Reserve Preferencing"...

TONY: February 2014 Schedule (yikes!)

For the first time in 30 years, I have a "Reserve" schedule for February. I've actually never seen what a reserve line looks like, since the last time I had one, it as on a notecard, written in pencil!

I freely admit, it's a little bit anxiety-inducing...but also exciting and thought-provoking, which is the whole point.

TONY: Call "Crewmember Support Line" to Line-Swap

Crewmember Support, this is L (in Manila). May I have your employee number please?

Yes, but I'd like to make it clear that I'm not calling in sick. I'm calling for a line trade.

Oh, you have to speak to a Crew Scheduler for a line trade.

L, when I spoke to them, they clearly said that I must speak to you at this number.

Hold one moment please. Hello? I verified with M at the Crew Desk that you must call general Crew Scheduling during the open window for a line trade.

Ok, L. To verify, in order to do a line trade, I call general Crew Scheduling for my base during the open window.

Yes.

Thank you for your help, L.

(It's not even February, yet!)

TONY: Call Scheduling to Line-Swap

Scheduling, this is C. 

Hi C, I'm calling to do a line trade. 

Uhhhh, hold on. Hello? You have to call Manila for that. 

Ok. What prompt do I choose?

The one like you're calling out sick. 

Oh, so to trade lines, I call Manila, like I'm calling out sick.

Yes.

Ok. Can I call them now for the line trade?

Uhhhh. Hold on. Hello? You do that during the open window.

Ok. So, to trade lines, I call Manila, like I'm calling out sick and do that during the open window.

Uhhh, yes. (Not very convincingly.)

Ok, thanks C.

Uhhh, you're welcome.

Click.

(Suddenly, I remember why I avoid having to call Scheduling at all costs.)

TONY: 21 JAN 2014

Don't know that I've ever been more excited about a bid result! 

Congratulations Cybill Bridges: Line 107 pos 1..FRA on Sat with a stretch off!