Originally Posted by
Flyguy16
Just wanted to get an opinion from guys on property. I have a class date coming up and looking for a second opinion on aircraft to bid. I live in Indy so
ultimate goal is to hopefully be based there eventually. I'm fine staying domestic and given my small children family situation, I'm not really wanting 10-15 day trips at this point. Here's what I was thinking:
1. 767 Obviously for Ind
2. 757 Less pay but no 18 month seat lock if an Ind 76 spot would open and same type.
3. Airbus
4. 777 longer trips and I'm guessing longer reserve before a lineholder.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Obviously if I can't hold Indy since its so small I'd like to get a line commuting to Mem. Is the 757 the quickest way to achieve that currently? My last 4 ssn starts with a 2 so I'll be one of last to pick.
Thanks!
Personally I would bid exactly what you have. If you want a line to commute to Memphis, I would keep the Bus in there as a 3rd Choice. Assuming you don't hold IND 767 or Memphis 757 (which I'm sure you will hold MEM 57) you could possibly get some trips with Indy Deadheads or layovers. Plus the Bus would allow for shorter trips and more flexibility with trading trips and/or dropping/moving reserve days. (What I said about the Bus goes for the 757 as well.)
I flew with a guy recently whose son got hired here. He wanted IND 76 and got MEM 75. Took him just shy of a year to get IND 767.
As others have said, commuting here isn't bad, in some ways it is better than with a passenger airline, someways it is worse. Regardless, it is a commute and commuting sucks. Nothing beats living in base.
***As a side note. Traditionally, when the company is short staffed, we see a lot of deadheads (at least within the Domestic System), when they have staffing the way they want it, there are less deadheads; with the way things are now, we are seeing a lot of deadheads. It may stay like this for a long time, or things could change. I'm not knocking commuting, (nor do I promote it) I'm a commuter, just wanted to share something I have observed over the past 12 years.***
Congrats on getting hired!