Originally Posted by
limelight
Unless you plan on living in your base, I wouldn't choose either of those aircraft. You could be on reserve for a while, or not hold a commutable schedule for a while. The big sexy airplanes are only big and sexy if they're appropriate for your seniority.
It depends.
Looking at NYC (where a new hire will likely start) Feb scheds:
- 7ER: Bottom lineholder ~11,500. Spring Hire. If you're looking to get to MSP, it was the most junior way to do so in the last AE, with a few Sep/Oct hires getting awarded it. Some other pretty junior pilots got to LAX & SLC as well. I don't know what happens after the summer travel rush is over.
- 73n: Everybody who wants one and probably a few who didn't gets a line, including all the pilots coming out of initial training. There is enough open time to build another 10 lines. Looks like GS hunting season is open. Jan 15 hires got to ATL, SLC and LAX. Most junior way to get to SEA, but you'll probably be out of your 1yr seatlock before you do, if you don't mind another initial qual course.
- A320: Bottom lineholder is ~11,950. Oct Hire? Quick to ATL and SLC on last AE.
- M88: Lowest lineholders in the Nov 14 hire range. Quick to ATL, not so much elsewhere right now.
- B717: Lowest lineholders in the Oct 14 range. Very little movement out of NYC in last AE. Seems to be settling down compared to last year when there was a whole lot of movement between bases and NYC wasn't open, and new hires were walking into a line straight out of OE - like the 73n today.
Of course, all of this is subject to change in the next month's sched (or AE).