Originally Posted by
Bucketofpropwas
Thanks, is AQP for the initial training oral, maneuvers or is it FAA type then loft? Any information on training hotels? Driving a car out would be nice but if we get shipped else ware after a week it might not be worth it, maybe a rental car to grab food, any input?
I'll be very junior, and very poor. Sounds like I won't be alone on finding cheap housing in IAH.
3 months on reserve does not seem too bad, if we fly lots and don't need a hotel too much, is short call assigned a RAP where you know early enough if your early or late?
Thanks
Initial training is done under the traditional program. Transition to AQP is done for recurrent. You will be in PHX for at least a month, so if you want to drive there, that's an option. The DFW hotels are good enough about taking you places so you don't need a rental car unless you really want and can afford one.
You will know what days you are on reserve on the 23rd of each month. You will then bid for whether you want morning (4am-4pm) all month or afternoon (12pm - 12am) all month. You will find out which you get on the 28th of each month. You will also get to bid on ready reserve shifts, if you want them. At the beginning you will probably get junior assigned a lot of ready reserve which generally happens 24-48 hours in advance as you go through the month. As people come in under you the number of ready reserve shifts you do will go down and then stop as you become senior on reserve (unless you bid them).
While you are still in consolidation the company will put you at the top of the list so you can get consolidated before your 120 days is up. Not sure how much reserve pilots are flying these days. I know they're not having issues with people not consolidating so it can't be too bad. Maybe someone who has recent reserve experience can chime in.
I found it more economical to have a crashpad while on reserve. There were a couple of weeks where I never flew at all. $50 a night adds up pretty quickly compared to a crashpad.