September is almost here and it signifies the end of the summer time flying rush. So, now what? I have no idea.
The bid packet came out (though 2 days early, they might change it) today and it appears as though things could have been worse for the month of September. Basically, I am number #102 out of #133 FOs based in St. Louis. The September bid packet contains 104 hard lines. DAMN that is close!! Basically, if ANYTHING changes for the worse whether it be more furloughs, less flying, etc, I will be back on reserve. Also, the company has decided to reduce all the existing hard lines to minimum days off with less efficient trips. So basically, I am losing 3-4 days off a month with absolutely no increase in pay. The only thing I get is more time away from my wife sitting in hotel rooms. Why would they need to do this? It is so shady.
Pluses: I still have a job. I am not on reserve.
Minuses: I am teetering on the edge of hard line/reserve status. And I’ve lost more priceless time with my wife with absolutely no reward at all.
I am trying so very hard to not throw the towel in on this job. I posted earlier that my plan is to tough it out, so I will try.
On a side note, tomorrow is the last day of a three day trip. If all goes well, I will be home by about 5:45pm tomorrow. However, the company has furloughed so many people, I hear through the grapevine that they are junioring right now. This trip is just ripe for my being juniored, if they indeed are doing that tomorrow. I will be SO disappointed if I cannot go home tomorrow as planned. However, the chances are better that I will make it, so I am going to focus on that!
Also, I heard that an FO went in to quit and was encouraged by the chief pilot to rethink because something is coming down the pike around year end. As to whether this statement is true, I have no idea. I guess, I hope it is.
Anyway, from this point forward, things are gonna get interesting. I believe my days of having a relatively cushy situation are over for a while. My extra days off are gone, and if a canary farts, I’ll be back on reserve. Who knows what will happen after that?
Living the dream! or something like that.