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"...