Reserve vs Line Holder: Understanding The Key Difference
When you get hired at an airline, you'll quickly learn that not all schedules are created equal. The difference between being a reserve pilot and a line holder can dramatically affect your quality of life. Let's break down what each means.
What is a Line Holder?
A line holder is a pilot who has a predetermined monthly schedule. At the beginning of each month, they know exactly which trips they're flying, when they're working, and when they're off.
Line holders enjoy:
- Predictable scheduling months in advance
- The ability to trade and drop trips
- Better layover assignments and compensation
- Enhanced personal life planning
What is a Reserve Pilot?
A reserve pilot is on-call, typically within a 2-hour reporting window. They don't have a fixed schedule and can be called for last-minute assignments.
Reserve pilots experience:
- On-call status with unpredictable duties
- Frequent "airport standby" assignments
- Limited personal scheduling flexibility
- Generally lower flight hours
How Seniority Determines Your Schedule
At airlines, seniority is everything. Your seniority number determines your scheduling rights. New pilots typically occupy reserve positions until colleagues retire, transfer, or the company grows.
The good news? At most airlines, you can expect to hold a line within 12-24 months, depending on base location and airline growth.
Tips for Surviving Reserve
- Live close to your base - A short commute means less stress on reserve
- Stay ready - Keep your bags packed and be prepared to go
- Use downtime productively - Study, exercise, or pursue hobbies
- Stay mentally flexible - Accept that plans may change at a moment's notice
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
Reserve is temporary. As you gain seniority, you'll graduate to holding a line, and eventually, you'll be senior enough to hold the best schedules—weekends off, holidays off, and your choice of flying.
The key is to approach reserve as a rite of passage. Every captain at your airline went through it too.