Originally Posted by
bigboeings
I'm new so don't have any experience here to conclude from but.... My friend, hired in December on the 737 EWR switched to 756 EWR, is able to hold a line now . I'm not sure about DCA, but I'm wondering if because there is so much movement now that any conventional wisdom from the past is somewhat changed. Commute to reserve though is definitely not fun though that's for sure.
Just like anything else being on the front of the wave is good and missing the wave is painful. Just ask the last guy to get awarded the 76T in EWR. That was the gravy train for about 8 months. new hires getting off IOE and holding a line. That ship sailed and my buddy who was hired last June is still on reserve.
We have put so many pilots on the 756 in EWR and DCA in the last 6 months I have to believe that were nearing the end. Historically EWR 756 was staffed between 500 - 550 and this month there are 575 on the staffing list. In DCA there are only 66 CAs with 211 FOs. If you need twice as many FOs as CAs that would be 132. DCA is done and will be done until 50 or so FOs bid out.
Just like you don't want to be the last one hired when the airline stops you don't want to be the last pilot on a fleet that is staffed. The IAH 737 guys have been on reserve for 2 1/2 years.
YOU CAN ALWAYS BID UP ANYTIME YOU WANT!!!!!!