fishforfun

It's actually been very common in the new hire classes. It took 2 classes to fill all the slots. The MOST senior FO has been on property less than 2 years. Next to PGD it's the junior AB base.

akemps

Because there seems to be a lot of questions on the topic, I'll shed some light on where the most recent guys have gone. correct me if I'm wrong guys but I believe these figures to be correct... The August 4 class had 12 bus, 6 md80, and 6 757... The bus went most senior, I believe the last slot going to number 15 or 16 (a guy still in his mid 30's I think). My class aug 24 had 14 bus and 12 md80, bus going all the way down to the number 23 spot, someone about 26 or 27 (my class seemed to be younger on average than the previous). The class that started today aug 21 is only 10 guys and they're all going to the md80...

Bases have been all over the map, with the exception of Bellingham, Phoenix, and Oakland... Those are the only ones I haven't heard of. But there's a good mix of every other one both on the bus and 80 side... FLL and PIE seem to always go pretty senior in the groups. As things always seem to be changing, the only advice I could give someone is: if you're under 30, expect the md80, it'll make it less depressing if you do in fact get it. Moving to your base of choice (other than the west coast) is pretty easy from there. If you want an Airbus base (like cvg or pit) but you're doomed to the 80, don't expect it for at least a year... Again I'm just making educated guesses here, but that's the way it seems. Interview is no stress, just tell them why you want to be here, be honest, and stand by your decisions... They've seen enough to know if you're what they're looking for. Anything else? Post here and hopefully this new thread will give you a decent response. -Alex-

tom11011

If you wanted to be based at PIE, which airplane would you choose assuming you had the choice, the Airbus or MD80? Are the MD80s being phased out in favor of the AB?

fishforfun

If you are closer to 40 you would have a good chance of getting the bus to PIE if there are openings. There is another system wide bid next month and that will show how much movement is going on. Otherwise it will be on the 80. There were plenty of opening for the 80 to PIE in the 8/3 class. No one took it. If you're not ok with being on the 80 or at any of the bases on the list, especially Florida or LAS I would stay away.

tom11011

I would be fine on the MD80, just want to be in PIE And I'm 40 lol.

Are schedules better on one vs the other? Just trying to figure out if one had the choice in PIE, which would be a good bet? Thanks for the insight.

MD80driver2day

Doomed to the 80?? Really??

Fact is, just about anyone can learn the computer that is the Airbus. It takes a real pilot to fly the -80.

fishforfun

But why would you want to?? 😉

Vegaspilot

From those I've talked to on the Bus, the schedules are almost always better on it than the 80. The Bus tends to fly 7 days a week while the 80 is usually parked on Tue and Sat. Seems to make stringing some day off blocks together easier than the 80 where you are all but guaranteed to have Tue and Sat off and maybe Wed depending. Even the most senior guys on the 80 can have trouble doing better than Tue, Wed and Sat off.

tom11011

That's good info, thanks!

Hovernut

Yes, the good old "Allegiant Weekend!" That's what makes it rough on commuters. AB schedules are likely easier to commute to. I REALLY miss the 4 & 5 day off blocks I had at usta-fly. Just can't get those here...especially junior. Usta be in the slow months, you had some good time off to make up for the crazy months. That was during line bidding; now that we're on the über-crappy so-called 'PBS,' everyone gets a build-up line chock-full of RSV days. So now, we have tons of people sitting reserve in the slow times, getting crappy schedules instead of decent time off!!