One of the biggest adjustments I have had to make since becoming a flight attendant is my schedule as a reserve. It’s no secret that the work schedule of a flight is anything but typical, and reserve makes sure of that. It’s easily the one aspect of my job I get asked about the most from my family, friends, passengers and aspiring flight attendants. So I thought this post might be a helpful reference point for what reserve is like for a flight attendant.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHAT IS RESERVE?
Simply put, you are an on call flight attendant. If a flight has open positions or someone has to call out last minute or is running late, a reserve takes their place so operations runs smoothly, that is, the flight will take off on time and won’t be delayed or cancelled. Since anything can happen at any time, every airline has a reserve system in place with reserve flight attendants available 24/7.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SIT RESERVE?
There are two ways to “sit” reserve: at home or at the airport.
With home reserve, you are given a start time from which you must be available to answer “the call” from scheduling should it come. For example, if my home standby starts at 3am and ends at 1pm, scheduling can call me at any time during those 10 hours, wether it be 3:01am or 12:59pm. No matter what time scheduling calls however, they are required to give you no less than two hours notice. Using the 3am to 1pm home reserve shift as the example again (it’s the one they give me alllll the time), if scheduling calls me at 6am, my report time can be no earlier than 8am. You don’t have to actually sit at home for home standby, but you do need to be able to report to the airport in time.
Airport standby means you sit your reserve duty at the airport, dressed and ready as if you were heading out for a trip. While we are not required to check-in for home standby, we are for airport standby. This duty day is typically shorter (six compared to ten) and once you check in, the clock starts. With airport standby, there is no two hour callout, and if scheduling has a trip for you, you may have just minutes to get to the gate.
With any reserve duty, there’s really no saying if you will be used. What is possible is starting out the day sitting home reserve, getting called in for airport standby, and then being used for a trip.
WHAT DOES YOUR SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Instead of having trips on my schedule, reserve schedules are in blocks of three to six days. When bidding takes place, it is possible to set conditions as to how many days you would like to sit reserve at a time, how many days in between reserve blocks and what days off you’d like. Ultimately, the system decides what you will actually get, based on the operational needs of that month. I like to have four days on with no fewer than two days off in between trips. Reserve can be exhausting, so I like to have enough time in between trips to catch myself.
WHAT IS SITTING RESERVE REALLY LIKE?
Reserve is a game of chance and uncertainty. Will I get used? Where will they send me? It can be tiring and even trying. But it can also be a great chance to explore other interests. I mostly sit home reserve so I use the time to workout, meal prep, blog, and take online classes. Ultimately, it’s all about what you make it out to be. It’s only stressful if you allow it to be.
WHAT IS WORKING AS A RESERVE LIKE?
Because reserves at my airline are typically junior, it can be rough. You can start off the day on one trip and get tagged mid-way to work another. Any disruptions to operations means long duty days. Senior people like to try and take advantage of you or intimidate you, especially if you are called to work a trip as the lead. I liken it to starting out as an intern, and having to work your way up. There are some growing pains but we were all new once, so I make sure to seek out other reserves as well as my supervisor.
1. When the last day of reserve is a Santo Domingo day turn and there’s time to get food. 2. Flying over the Bahamas. 3. Working poolside on an overcast but warm day in Florida.
WHAT ABOUT PAY?
LOL. Simply put, it’s not great. There are so many factors that determine if you will fly or not. I have friends that sometimes go weeks before getting called for a trip. To make a decent salary on reserve there are two options: be open to picking up trips on your days off, or getting a second job that can work with your schedule. It’s hard to live on this pay without doing on of those two things.
ARE THERE ANY PERKS TO RESERVE? DOWNSIDES?
The biggest perk would have to be getting the days off that I want, including weekends.
As far as downsides, I would say having limited flexibility to my schedule. It’s possible to move reserve days around to make a schedule more to my liking, but that depends on operations and if there is enough staffing. There’s no dropping reserve days, as you would be able to with a trip as a lineholder. Lastly, because the way the schedule is set up, it can mean missing things at home like last minute dinners or get togethers.
Day trip to Puerto Rico in between reserve blocks because why not?
HOW LONG WILL YOU SIT RESERVE?
Currently at my airline and base, we sit reserve for about 12 to 18 months before we become lineholders. (That is, having a schedule with trips instead of reserve days on our schedule. Also, more freedom.)
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS RESERVES NEED TO KNOW?
I have two.
First, KNOW YOUR WORK RULES. You can seem available on paper to scheduling, but the reality could be that you are on the verge of breaking a duty day or rest rule per the FAA. It is so important to know the work rules to avoid getting into these tricky situations.
Second, remember why you signed up for this. It is not easy, especially when you are new and still getting the hang of things. But it doesn’t last forever and it can be rewarding if you let it be. You just never know what this adventure has in store or where it can take you.
The only thing I enjoy about working redeyes.
Hopefully you found this post helpful or insightful. If you have any questions about reserve or becoming a flight attendant, please don’t hesitate to send me an email!
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