Originally Posted by Mr Rumbold

If hired, are you hired into the -300 or the X? Or are you hired and when you show up for class, you're told what you're flying?

I'm sure early on, learning about the airplane keeps you busy on the long x-countries (i.e. reading manuals while in the cockpit, or talking w/ the captain) but after awhile, how do you entertain yourself on those long flights?

There's pros/cons in every job, and crap to deal with everywhere - I always thought being an astronaut must be the ultimate job; well, read a few biographies and you'll find that although flying in space itself is amazing, most of the time you're earthbound and dealing with politics of the agency. Not as dreamy..
just have to deal with it, whatever you're doing.
I'm sure a long overnight in Hawaii can make up for it lol.