In a communication system wherein a CDMA segment at each access point consists of multiple sub-segments a three frame transmission time interval (TTI) with eight retransmissions is utilized for data transmission. The access point not only specifies the interlaces to be utilized for data transmission it also assigns packet start interlaces for particular access terminals. An auxiliary pilot channel R-AuxPICH is transmitted by an access terminal along with CDMA data on reverse link. The ratio of R-AuxPICH to R-PICH is varied based on ACK/NACK feedback. A reverse link activity bit (RAB) which can be used as an emergency load-control mechanism for non-QoS flows is also disclosed.