Reassignment

While driving to the airport on my last trip I received a call from crew schedule. It isn't often that they call me. I dread those calls because sometimes they call to tell me things like your airplane is late, trip cancelled, or you have been reassigned. Most of us do not like to be reassigned because that means we fly a trip that we did not bid or want. They are only allowed to reassign you when they run out of options. In this case the nice female crew scheduler informed me that my three day trip was now a four day trip. She needed me to fly to Calgary, Canada tonight. My original trip signed in (1 hour to departure time) around the time of the YYC departure. I told her I would do my best to get there quickly and she gave me upfront parking near the gate so they wouldn't have to wait as long. I made it to the gate 15 minutes before departure and we were close to an on time departure. The FO who was supposed to fly this trip ended up sick and they had no other legal pilots to fly the sequence. I suppose they found someone to fly to Pittsburgh and the trip I was scheduled to fly. This four day trip was worth 20 hours and that put my next trip in jeopardy because pilots have an FAA rule that we can only fly 30 flight hours in 7 days. My next trip was dropped and I was paid for it (good deal). This trip wasn't really that bad. I spent the next night in Monterrey, Mexico. As luck would have it the trip had a long layover in downtown New Orleans on Friday night. We went to this fabulous seafood restaurant called Deanie's for stuffed shrimp and french fries. The Captain and I walked down to the water and I was able to see Bourbon Street during the day in all its glory. The last time Mike and I were there, some friends were getting married in New Orleans and we went downtown after the rehearsal dinner. It was crazy to say the least. During the day I felt a little more secure and you could really see the buildings and how distinct looking they really are. We were back in the Hotel around 8pm because we had an early departure on Saturday morning. Sunday, I was supposed to be home to go to church and watch the UK vs Florida game. But since I was reassigned I flew a Ontario, CA (beautiful snow on the mountains and you could see downtown Los Angeles from the final to Runway 28L.) turn and landed around 4pm. Now, I am home for the rest of the week. I can play tennis since the spring season is underway. Sometimes, when crew schedule calls it is a good deal. Most of the time it is not.