Originally Posted by
skylover
Actually, on that topic, do most mainline airline pilots go for the "mid range" aircraft/routes, like the 737, or the "long haul" aircraft like the A330, 777, etc.? Obviously pay is a little different, but what is the general preference?
I know a couple years ago, new hire Delta pilots were going to the 767-300ER, which primarily does long haul routes. That really surprised me, I thought senior people would have already scooped up those slots.
I'm not mainline, so I can't really answer with authority (see USMC's post above) - but my best answer is everyone's desires/circumstances are different. Each mission has it's pluses and minuses in pay and QOL, and many variables that dictate what people bid. Often it's driven by where they can be based and either live in base or have an easy commute. Also, what seniority will they have on any given fleet/seat position so they can attempt to have some control over their schedule.
At least at one juncture, pilots would bid the highest paying A/C the last few years before retirement, as their retirement pay would be based on the last 5 years earnings (give or take). Now that retirements have been trashed, I'm not certain that is still the case. Also, with mergers, there are often fences that prevent one group from bidding on a certain fleet or base for X number of years.
Some people like doing long haul and hate multiple up and downs without time to even eat lunch, others hate long haul and would rather do multiple short legs with fewer time zone changes (as you have already noted). Sometimes the trips on a particular fleet or base just suck and no one with any seniority wants anything to do with them.
Without having accurate inside knowledge about any particular company, it's really hard to say why. Perhaps there are some DelTaco pilots following this thread who can chime in with better answers for your specific example.
Addendum:
I just read another thread that provides a great example of what I am talking about experience wise:
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fl...ml#post1232558
You won't have experiences like this in a well run 141 flight school, but you need to face challenges such as this (there are myriad other examples, this is but one) for yourself to really "own" them and make them a part of your experience and character as a pilot.
Also, today is the 23rd anniversary of UAL232. I would submit that pilots such at Capt. Al Haynes, Dennis Fitch, and Chesley Sullenberger didn't cut corners and end up with the experience they had to accomplish what they did. Granted, the zero-to-hero model didn't exist when they were up and coming pilots, but that in no way diminishes the point.