Originally Posted by hijo

Just a little bit of knowledge to drop on you regarding the original question. If by some chance they have 175 slots available during your training then yes you can bid for it. It will go by seniority. For example, if there are 30 new hires in your class (bahahaha) and there are five 175 slots the rest are 145 then the most senior (DOB) in your class will get the choice till they are gone.

Now here is something to think about. If you get the 175 as a new hire know that you will be at the bottom forever and everyone that is on property prior to you will cut you in line once they are displaced over to the 175. This truely sucks.

Speaking from experience you don't want that. I was hired as DFW CRJ FO and it was senior equipment. EVERY fo that chose to come over would be above me on the seniority list. I was sitting standby at the airport for 8 months and logged about 150 hours. Then by the grace of God there was a displacement were I was sent to the ATR and guess what? I had some seniority! I could hold a line with weekends off and could bid decent vacation blocks. It was a completely different and much better job.

I really wish someone had told me not to step in that pile of sh!t back when I was a new hire. Make sure you do your research on the regional of your choice >>>as if you were going to be there the rest of you life<<<. That may not be there case but you never know when the music stops and you're left with your junk in your hand. Reaseach, reaseach, reaseach! Contracts pro/cons, QOL, bases and commuting, future of the airline. It's not all about upgrade time and travel benefits. That's how management stuckers you into coming to the dark side.