Now these are the kinds of responses I was hoping to get from the podcast. [emoji23]
Seriously though, we don't have a mechanism to drop or move reserve days outside of trading them with other pilots. And I'm sure I could get away with asking the chief to help out once... maybe twice. But after that he's gonna give me that look that says "just call in sick and quit bothering me" [emoji1]
I listened to "your" segment on the 21.5 - actually had never listened to/heard of it before this thread.
I know that those dudes have to fill a hour-plus every other week outside of the goofball ads they are reading - but I thought that the advice was really lacking.
Upgrade is a very personal decision. There are so many variables to weigh, it's hard to cover them topically. Especially in a podcast format. (or heck, even in this response in this thread) You really need to take a very deep dive into the financial pro/con math. (and their #'s were "off" IMHO... the 60K they talked about was probably DC plus 8% growth - they didn't mention the access to the extra cash each month and how you choose to save/spend it.) And overall there will be more cash.
Your airline's junior base is in California, look up California KinCare and that is basically the solution to Seggy's bit. And why the CP will just say, "call in sick." Or, call in KinCare as appropriate.
The commute will suck so hard it is indescribable. I speak from way too many years of experience doing the transcon commute. But, I'm 140 days away from being based at home. Not that I am counting. But, after years of the transcon commute... I'm done.
Line vs. Reserve vs. etc. - I can't speak to that at your shop. Along with crashpads. All of that is awful as you get older. Your days are 'longer' with commuting. And added stress. How you handle that is up to you - and some people just roll with it, some don't. I'm in the middle. If I have to come in early, I can live with that. Staying an extra day... that makes me unhappy.
The job itself gets so much more engaging, more fun, more challenging. There are all kinds of professional rewards.
I'll mention the one thing that I loved about upgrading to reserve. All the stress of 'hustling' the schedule evaporated from my life. There are so many pilots that I know that live for schedule manipulation and trip trades. I hate that stuff. I honestly don't care where I fly, or when I fly. I just like it to be consistent and if I had my druthers there are a few places that I prefer over others. But, it's all the same these days. And honestly, the one thing I prefer is 'one and done' days... which my airline does have. And I can usually hold a few of them. 4 duty periods, 4 legs. That kind of thing.
Being on reserve... my bid only took 10 minutes. I'd like these days off. Being on reserve... no schedule hustling. I just answered the phone and said, "where am I going?" It's actually nice compared to hustling to making up the differential between a theoretical senior FO paycheck and a Jr Capt paycheck.
You made a pro/con list. You weighed the options. If you pull the trigger you'll at least be flying with your favorite Capt.
