Quick VB question

[dxbpilot]

Hi,

I would just like to know what Virgin Blues Roster is like for communting.

For example if you get based in Melbourne and you live in Brisbane,

Is is a fixed roster pattern eg. 5 on 4 off ?

And is it free jumpseating for flight crew ?

Thanks

[ad-astra]

The rosters can be very different from month to month.(28 day cycles)

My roster this month (78hours) - (7+ Hours of overtime)
1on 3off 4on 3off 3on 2off 2on 4off 2on 1off 1on 2off

Last month was (80hours) - (9+ hours of overtime)
4on 4off 4on 3off 3on 4off 2on 4off

Best I have had is 18 days off in 28
Worst I have had is the minimum of 11/12 which is the EBA minimum.
Most rosters would have around 12/13/14

(Bne 737 Training Capt)

We do have Reserve rosters which are spread equally around.
You would cop this maybe once every 12-15 months.
Some guys like them. Commuters would not!

We do have commuters in most bases and most seem to make it work though their longterm mental heath is at risk - commuting long term is not fun.

We did have a Captain commuting from Per and I believe we may have an FO who commutes from Broome! Lots of Syd Capts who comute from Bne.
Fo who lives in Adl based in Mel.The list goes on....
The 15 minute drive for me is more than enough!

We have a bidding system in place with all the bells and whistles but some pretty average rosters do get published. You can bid for 4 day trips but they only constitute about 20% of the flying. Most trips are 2 days with about 15% 1 day and 15% 3 day trips.
Bidding for minimum 3 or 4 days off in a row is possible.

A company swapping system is in place but I have no idea how effective it is.

Jump seat is available to a commuting pilot who is deemed to be "operationally required" to be at the destination.

Comuting costs are covered somewhat by the $1000 that is credited to your staff travel account each year.
You can buy as many sectors as you like.

Bne-Syd fare including tax is $39 one way
Bne-Mel fare including tax is $53 one way
No freebees

Good job, good guys, extra money to be made if you work a bit harder (overtime or working on days off), A330 will cause some progression and I can only think that it will be a much larger fleet than they are letting on.

737 bases in Bne,Syd,Mel, (Per can't be far off but don't quote me)
Ejet bases in Bne,Syd,Mel,Per
A330 base in only Mel so far....
777 base in Syd

Commands will ALWAYS come up first in the Syd/Mel/Per bases.
Bne command would be very slow and then only on the Ejet at first.
There is a very long list of 737 Captains waiting to move back to Bne.

Like my job and I think most of the guys who I fly with do as well.
Says a lot!

Good Luck

[Servo]

Good luck?????? based in Melbourne but living in Brisbane. Hmmm A330 based in Melbourne, coincidence I think not.

[SilverSleuth]

Commuting is becoming less and less easy. No staff travel priority. Rosters are VERY hit and miss. You may get row of 3 off but most will have to get back to base the night before a duty. Do that 3 or 4 times a month and you are now down to maybe 7 nights at home. If you are joining now also you would be commuting for a long long time if not for good as transfers are done on start date and there has been no transfers to BNE for about 5 years. So the list is LOOOOOONG.... Not good for the stress and health in this day of long duties etc. Swallow the pill and make the move.