phx_suns1319

First of all, let me say thanks to everyone who has answered my questions on this forum, it has really helped me out over the past few months and I'm really excited about becoming a part of this company next year! I just have a quick question regarding the policy in regards to commuting to your base after IOE.
Angela explained to us that after our IOE period we have four days to get to our assigned base, but did not cover whether or not one could commute to their assigned base while sitting reserve. I've read a few posts that refer to
"12 hour callout" and whatnot, and I am unsure as to whether or not we can commute to the base right out of IOE, or if we needed to be holding a line before we can commute to work? What is the policy in regards to this matter? Thanks a lot!

phx_suns1319

By the way, I do realize that there is a thread that discusses this topic in this room, but my question surrounds whether or not there is a rule that requires you to be at your base during your reserve time, and can one have access to these "12 hour call outs etc" right out of IOE, or do you have to be working for a certain amount of time before you can do the whole 12 hour call out.

laflight

Everyone can commute to there base, whether on reserve or holding a line. I have been commuting from LAX to EWR for 3 months now and it works out fine. You just need to make sure there is at least 2 flights that will get you to your base before call time, with at least 1 open seat(jumpseat does count) after you minus other non-revs above you. This policy must be 24 hours before the flight. If the seat disappears you will not get in trouble. You will lose a day of pay for each day you miss, but that beats getting a reprimand.

As for the 12 hour call out, you probably will still need to commute to your base since you need to make sure you can get there within 12 hours at anytime during the day. People that live within a 6 hour driving distance would probably prefer this.

laflight

You bid for them, They usually are taken in the top 10% of the people who are bidding the reserve lines, so it will take a couple months to get that seniority. Only bid them if you can take advantage of them. Don't grab one if you still need to commute in when someone that can get there within any 12 hour period could actually take advantage of it.

phx_suns1319

Wow, commuting from LAX...I hope that you get First Class sometimes? Anyways that answers my question, I really appreciate the fast responses. When you all left class and were assigned your base, did most people get what they wanted? Or is EWR the usual assigned base right out of class? Im hoping for IAH!

UFOGUY

When are you due to finish IOE? Honestly, where you get sent to after you are done is a toss up. I was in the August 27th class, the class before me mostly got the west coast, and the class after me got IAH and the west coast. My class was split up everywhere, there was 29 of us! 6 of us got Cleveland (which was totally unexpected), and the rest of us got either west coast or newark. They are adding lines in Cleveland, about 11 more lines in January. San Antonio is getting reduced. So, as always hope for the best, but expect the worst! Either way, you'll be doing what you've always wanted to do right!?

phx_suns1319

Oh, w/o question as to doing what I've always wanted to do. Yeah I guess I'll have to see what I'm assigned. Honestly any location will work out, it's really not that big of a deal, I was just wondering how assignment works out of IOE etc...it seems as though its a crapshoot with every class.

laflight

To get an idea of how up in the air base assignment is right now, my class already has over 40 people junior to us that have been assigned base in LAX/ONT and close to 100 assigned base in IAH. Most of us wanted one of those and probably at least 5 of us are commuting from the LAX/ONT area. People are base trading IAH/CLE for LAX/ONT but no one will do EWR for LAX/ONT and we weren't awarded anything but EWR so far during the prelim bid. Just hope for anything other than EWR, unless that is what you want, since it is becoming very hard to leave.

The only saving grace to all this is that we get 11-12 days off and the commute from LAX-EWR is one leg with over 20 flight options, so it isn't killing me yet.
Good Luck.