Orlando (SFB), Punta Gorda (PGD), and St. Pete (PIE) are the largest (I'm not sure if PGD or PIE is larger so I just grouped them together) bases by a long stretch. In fact, the only bases larger in the whole system are LAS and possibly IWA. I'm not sure exactly how many planes that means per base but it's gotta be around 10 or more (both airframes combined). FLL is the other Florida base, all airbus, but I think is only 2 or 3 airframes and 10-15 crews. The airbus is most senior in SFB, and then PIE, possibly a year or more to hold FO in those bases if not awarded it right out of training. PGD and FLL you should be able to get within a year (or right out of training). The company has mentioned in some of their conference calls that a JAX base will come, most likely by summer of 2017 and most likely an 80 base to start, no idea how big.

Flight time will vary, some months are more than others, but the last post was pretty accurate... if you're on reserve, you won't break guarantee unless you pick up on your days off. If you hold a line (mixed, or all flying) it shouldn't be too hard to get it to the low to mid 80's with some maneuvering and maybe 1 or 2 day-off pick-ups. Don't except much more than min days off until you're at least mid-way up the seniority. I could be wrong there, but expect min days off for a while, and be pleasantly surprised when you're awarded more.

The hard part may be getting the airbus in training. It seems that most of the new hire classes have been going all MD-80 lately, and we have a lot of guys that are coming out of seat lock on the 80 and bidding over. That said, this all changes literally overnight so it's hard to give solid expectations. Airbus usually goes senior within a class with both fleet types available, and typically has been awarded to people over 30-35 yrs old. New hire classes are usually guys on their 2nd or 3rd gig and in their early-mid-late 30's and up (some younger as well).

If you get the 80 and/or a base you didn't want, don't stress it too much, there's enough movement here that moving around and getting to where you want to be usually occurs pretty quick (a year to 2 years at most, unless you're a commuter and always will be). I usually tell people to just plan for a sh*#ty first year, and it'll improve from there. 'Cause even if you do get exactly what you want right out of training, chances are your schedule will be abysmal for the first year, and/or some TDY mixed in there.

Questions/comments, feel free to call/text... I'm on habitual reserve so I have far too much time on my hands...

-Alex-
cel: 484-661-7716