Hi
vpcaptain,
Typical roster is 6-2, maybe 5-2 if you're lucky, same for FO's. However I do have to say it is Flexi roster so it could be anything. Scheduling agreement states you will get a minimum of 10 days off and really that is
all you will get... You will also probably be on a minimum 850-900 hours per year. Theres a constant battle with crewing as the scheduling agreement is written so poorly, everyone interprets it in their own way
The company claims there is a bidding process for the roster - based off seniority - but the most senior captains aren't getting what they request so the system doesn't work well at all. Probably because the company is chronically under-crewed. Management have been promising fixed pattern roster since the conception of Euroflyer but there still have nothing even close to show for it (and how can they when they are scheduling pilots with lovely 6-2 rosters).
As a junior DEC you will be flying every weekend and won't have any say on your roster but that's the seniority system for you, there would be the same issue in mainline BA.
They will tell you that winters will be quiet but most pilots are on the minimum 10 days off regardless and the rest of the days that you wanted off get filled up with reserve (normally 6 days of reserve per month).
RSD - rest day
PRSV - reserve - the evening before this day, by 19:00, they assign you either a flight/home standby/airport standby for the following day
AVA - available day - the evening before this day, by 20:00, they assign you either a flight or a rest day
ODO - owed day off - if you work into your day off (unlike every other airline) you don't get any payment but you can get that day off back at a "mutually agreed time" - spoiler alert, its never when you want it
LDO: leave day off - wrap around day added to leave
TDO: Trump day off - four days per year that you can request OFF in advance (in pairs only - can't be attached).
RDW: Rest day working - basically a day off payment or overtime payment. 300 pounds for FO's & 525 pounds for captains (basically not worth it after tax) however they are asking for Overtime
constantly so if desperate there are opportunities for it.
For the home standby - it lasts typically 11 hours and you have 2 hours to get to the airport (very generous actually).
Airport standby typically lasts 6 hours. There are a couple of couches in the crew room if you want to listen to cabin crew gossip for 6 hours on your 5am airport standby, otherwise there's the terminal where you can hang out with the paxs. No rest room, quiet room or anything of the sort.
It really is a proper low cost carrier painted in BA's colour scheme except its even worse pay and lifestyle conditions than low cost carriers
Positives:
- crew are lovely and you do have nice days-out
- home every night (no night-stops)
- 95% of the time it's 2 sector days
- If you can wait a few years there's always mainline LHR opportunities down the road
Hope this helps