Here's my full month's pay for the Reserve Experiment:
Paid 3/1/2014 Paid 3/16/2014 Paid 2/16/2014*
Regular Earning $2101.20 (40 hrs) $1313.25 (25 hrs) $1313.25
Incentive 25.00 0.00 0.00
Flt Pay Bal 0.00 369.08 (6 hrs) 2172.87
Health Cr EE 24.00 24.00 24.00
Txble Per Diem 0.00 17.65 573.13
Total Gross Payments 2150.20 1723.98 4082.25
- Deductions -864.80 -1206.94 -1785.26
Total Net Pay $1285.40 $517.04 $2296.99
(* 2/16/2014 Pay information included for comparison purposes.)
Friday, March 14, 2014
TONY: There's a Price to be Paid
...and I had a suspicion it would be steep! The net on today's check is $517.04!
I normally clear >$2500 on my mid-month paycheck when flying a normal schedule. (Normal, for me, is my line plus 1 extra 15-20 hour trip, or so.)
In order to keep my Reserve Experiment pay in perspective, I was only paid for 71 hours (83 hour Reserve guarantee less 3 days of Emergency Drop/No Pay at 4 hours each). Had I received the entire 83 hour guarantee amount, I would have made approximately $630.00 more, less taxes.
It is a significant difference in the amount I'm accustomed to "bringing home" but, may I remind you, I only actually worked 2 hours, 44 minutes for the month?
For clarification purposes, this pay amount represents:
25 hours $1313.25
"Clean Up" Pay (approx 6 hrs) 369.08
Per Diem 17.65
Health Credit 24.00
----------------------------------------------
Total Gross $1723.98
(The NET amount of $517.04 is the gross less taxes and LOTS of deductions!)
I normally clear >$2500 on my mid-month paycheck when flying a normal schedule. (Normal, for me, is my line plus 1 extra 15-20 hour trip, or so.)
In order to keep my Reserve Experiment pay in perspective, I was only paid for 71 hours (83 hour Reserve guarantee less 3 days of Emergency Drop/No Pay at 4 hours each). Had I received the entire 83 hour guarantee amount, I would have made approximately $630.00 more, less taxes.
It is a significant difference in the amount I'm accustomed to "bringing home" but, may I remind you, I only actually worked 2 hours, 44 minutes for the month?
For clarification purposes, this pay amount represents:
25 hours $1313.25
"Clean Up" Pay (approx 6 hrs) 369.08
Per Diem 17.65
Health Credit 24.00
----------------------------------------------
Total Gross $1723.98
(The NET amount of $517.04 is the gross less taxes and LOTS of deductions!)
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
CYBILL & TONY: We Meet at Last!
We meet at last!
UA58 IAHAMS 4MAR
What a lovely, clear early-spring evening in Amsterdam! Perfect night for a walk to The Bird for Thai food.
and, of course, another selfie...
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
CYBILL: My Last Trip as a Liineholder, cont'd.
Yesterday was my last trip as a line holder and it was bitter sweet. I had an amazing month and will never forget it. It helped me make a decision that affects my future. Here is the rundown of my month as A zone galley heading to Frankfurt.
I began the month with a virus that had me down for the count for weeks. I was able to trade my trip and make sure that I was 100% healthy. I compared it to my friend that had the samething, but on reserve. She called out for 3 days and had to finish getting well traveling. Needless to say it was an eye opener on just how much more flexible your schedule really is.
My first trip I was introduced to my fearless leader for the month Paul Moet, he is the sweetest, most welcoming person. I only hope to fly with him again. I also had the pleasure of flying with Gaye and if you have ever had that opportunity then you are lucky. She can run circles around just about everyone. Had dinner and talked with her that night. She's an amazing lady.
My second trip was just as eventful as the first. Went to dinner with the crew and had drinks in the lobby. We talked and I got to know everyone better. This trip I flew with Elizabeth. I remember her because my first trip to Frankfurt she was the one that walked around the entire city of Mainz with me to make sure I didn't miss anything. She is very sweet and giving. This trip she asked me if my pictures turned out okay, also if I needed to visit anyplace else.
My last trip that ended yesterday was I would have to say the most trying of the month. It was the trip that really finalized my decision that I have been fighting with all month. The layover was great had Chilean food with the crew and my friend and I headed down the festival that is similar to Mardi Gras, where being from Louisiana made me feel at home. Experienced a free concert and met The Cape Crusader. I also had the pleasure of having to walk up the hill to get to the van in the am because the streets were closed. Lol never forget that. Lol
Overall the month was great as I will never forget it for as long as I am a flight attendant. All because of an act of kindness by Tony Reece. He didn't have to do it he just did. I have heard amazing things about this man and was so looking forward to meeting him in the near future and low and behold I'm sleeping thinking that I'm not going to get used the first 3 days. People have been sitting all month. No way!!!
While I was dreaming of my plans to celebrate Fat Tuesday and what time I'm getting my ashes on Wednesday my phone rings. "Flight Attendant Bridges, we have a 3 day for you. Your fa04 on Amsterdam today." Ok I can deal with that. Something told me to look up the crew. Guess who I have the pleasure of flying with today??...... No one other than Mr. Tony Reece!!! I'm really excited and this is the perfect way to end my line holder month, meeting the man that made it possible and being able to toast with him and give him a huge hug.
Have a blessed day everyone, stay safe and warm. I know I am blessed.
I began the month with a virus that had me down for the count for weeks. I was able to trade my trip and make sure that I was 100% healthy. I compared it to my friend that had the samething, but on reserve. She called out for 3 days and had to finish getting well traveling. Needless to say it was an eye opener on just how much more flexible your schedule really is.
My first trip I was introduced to my fearless leader for the month Paul Moet, he is the sweetest, most welcoming person. I only hope to fly with him again. I also had the pleasure of flying with Gaye and if you have ever had that opportunity then you are lucky. She can run circles around just about everyone. Had dinner and talked with her that night. She's an amazing lady.
My second trip was just as eventful as the first. Went to dinner with the crew and had drinks in the lobby. We talked and I got to know everyone better. This trip I flew with Elizabeth. I remember her because my first trip to Frankfurt she was the one that walked around the entire city of Mainz with me to make sure I didn't miss anything. She is very sweet and giving. This trip she asked me if my pictures turned out okay, also if I needed to visit anyplace else.
My last trip that ended yesterday was I would have to say the most trying of the month. It was the trip that really finalized my decision that I have been fighting with all month. The layover was great had Chilean food with the crew and my friend and I headed down the festival that is similar to Mardi Gras, where being from Louisiana made me feel at home. Experienced a free concert and met The Cape Crusader. I also had the pleasure of having to walk up the hill to get to the van in the am because the streets were closed. Lol never forget that. Lol
Overall the month was great as I will never forget it for as long as I am a flight attendant. All because of an act of kindness by Tony Reece. He didn't have to do it he just did. I have heard amazing things about this man and was so looking forward to meeting him in the near future and low and behold I'm sleeping thinking that I'm not going to get used the first 3 days. People have been sitting all month. No way!!!
While I was dreaming of my plans to celebrate Fat Tuesday and what time I'm getting my ashes on Wednesday my phone rings. "Flight Attendant Bridges, we have a 3 day for you. Your fa04 on Amsterdam today." Ok I can deal with that. Something told me to look up the crew. Guess who I have the pleasure of flying with today??...... No one other than Mr. Tony Reece!!! I'm really excited and this is the perfect way to end my line holder month, meeting the man that made it possible and being able to toast with him and give him a huge hug.
Have a blessed day everyone, stay safe and warm. I know I am blessed.
Monday, March 3, 2014
TONY: Statistical Summary.
Duty days: 20 (reduced to 17 by 3 x EDNP)
Line held: Call-Out G (1100-1900)
Conversions to Ready Reserve: 4 (the first 3 days of the month and 1-2MAR)
Hard hours flown: 2:44
DH hours flown: 2:52
Airport Alert (Standby) hours: 12:00 (3 assignments of 4 hours each)
EXTENDED Airport Alert (Standby) up to 6 hours: 0
EXTENDED Airport Alert (Standby) up to 6 hours: 0
Other "soft" hours: 5:00 for CQ, including CBT (15-16FEB)
Pay hours: 71:00 (reduced by 3 Emergency Drops/No Pay from 83:00)
Airport Alert: 3 (2@0555 and 1@0930. Released to cell phone on all [i.e. not required to remain in crew room]).
Grievances filed: 1 (denied contractual ability to makeup 2 of the 3 EDNPs on days off)
Phone calls TO Scheduling: ?? (With 1 notable exception, all friendly and informative)
Phone calls FROM Scheduling: 1 (courtesy call at 2030 to advise of an early AAA the following morning)
"Quick" calls: 0
Phone calls TO/FROM Scheduling that ended in a smile or laughter: 80%
Days Off rolled: 0
Bumped from a trip: 0
Bumped from a position: 0
Bumped from a trip: 0
Bumped from a position: 0
Acknowledgements during the "2100 window": 6 (4 for COG and 2 for AAA )
Acknowledgements OUTSIDE the "2100 window": 1 (for my DH to ORD/work back at 0710 for a 1545 check-in)
PB&Js (prepared/not used): 4
Yogurt cups (expired): 4
Uniforms used: 1 (I know, gross! But I'm on Reserve, okay?)
1 Half bath re-painted
2 Bathtubs re-caulked
1 Shed cleaned and organized
TurboTax installed on 1 PC and 1 Mac
Living room curtains taken down, laundered, pressed, re-hung
REGULAR gym attendance
Living room curtains taken down, laundered, pressed, re-hung
REGULAR gym attendance
TONY: A 2 hour, 44 minute Work Month
A month that started with excitement and the nervous anticipation of the unknown, ended with the whimper of realization that it was almost over...and WHAT a whimper!
2 hours, 44 minutes.
Aside from the Airport Alert (Standby) and CQ time that I accrued in February, my only "hard time" contribution to my pay guarantee was UA1471 ORDIAH on March 2nd. At present, I'm spending the last hour or so of my final duty period considering how to approach a summary of the month. More immediately, I'm preparing for my return to lineholder status with a trip to Amsterdam tomorrow.
If I continue my trend, I'll be ready to revisit the Reserve life again in 2044! What a ridiculous thought! But then, wouldn't 2014 have seemed JUST as ridiculous the last time I sat Reserve in 1984?
Sunday, March 2, 2014
CYBILL: My Last Trip as a Lineholder
Headed to work. My last trip as a line holder. It was an amazing month.
(upon arriving in Frankfurt...)
Time for a nap and then check out the festivities. I guess they have a form of Mardi Gras here in Mainz too. Uh oh they don't know that NOLA is in da bulidin', they ain't ready. Lol
(upon arriving in Frankfurt...)
Time for a nap and then check out the festivities. I guess they have a form of Mardi Gras here in Mainz too. Uh oh they don't know that NOLA is in da bulidin', they ain't ready. Lol
TONY: I GOT A TRIP!
Okay, so it's not much of a trip but I finally got one!
AND...
I got it through an acknowledgement when I got up this morning:
This is really pretty cool!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
TONY: Airport Alert, Day 3
* * * F L E X I B I L I T Y * * *
Airport Alert for the 3rd time in 5 days (can you say "pound of flesh"?)
But this time it's at a more reasonable hour: 9:30am. Hmmm. I have 3 duty days left, including today and start my March line on the 4th. So, they can either send me to Tokyo and deadhead me home, Tokyo-Denver then home, or the 3day Amsterdam trip (which I'm flying all of March).
OR
They can surprise me with something TOTALLY unforeseen. Oh, the adventure of it all! (FYI: my bag is packed for a 6-day trip!)
1130 The 6-day NRT trip checked in and departed, including the 1 position (chaser) that does a 3-day IAH/NRT/IAH. I'm scheduled to go off duty at 1330, just before the AMS trip checks-in. I've been checking and that trip doesn't show any open positions. I suppose that, if suitably motivated, CS could send me home and have me come back to cover FRA (3-day) tonight. Wouldn't that be cool? Cybill is flying forward galley on that...maybe we could meet!
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