Hey all, new poster here (see my introduction thread on the main board)
I have some general ENY questions that some of the recent board prospects arent asking (unless it is buried in some of the 1000 page threads) I hope some will humor me here and as always, I appreciate all the insight.
Disclaimer - I am aware of the pay negotiation situation (only as it reads here....no real inside info) and the ongoing discussions as posted on this page. I am also aware that one of the general opinions on APC is that filling classes is not a good look for those trying to improve their lives. Luckily, I am in no big hurry yet and do not have the SJS so I want to make sure I respect the efforts of those trying to make this industry better for everyone, while also trying to gather all the facts on prospective companies. I am former XJT but I fly a desk from 8-5 right now with only occasional travel.
1. Forced upgrade - Assuming I bid/recieve the 145 (which is what I have the most time in), will I be forced into upgrade? I would certainly like to fly as an FO first and learn the company flight profiles, operational differences etc. (XJT FMS was all honeywell, for example) but it sounds like that might not be up to me?
2. Base/eqipment - seeing as how I live pretty near DFW (1 hour drive), holding DFW would be the ultimate goal. Huge for QOL. Online it shows that the DFW 145 most jr captain is a June 18 hire. One year, that isnt too bad I suppose. If I am forced to upgrade, I know I will be on reserve for a long long time so sitting reserve at home is far more pallatable. Is that timeline accurate?
3. Junior man rules - how do reassignments work for line holders? Can you be reassigned by phone? Do you have to get released at the end of a trip? Are junior man assignments optional? (Try not to laugh too hard at that last question)
4. Reserve assignments - I have seen some of these answers on here....I am guessing scheduling pulls the “call you at 5am and release you to rest” to change your time/make you legal for a trip? Do captains fly as FO when on reserve? (Im guessing CA reserve is miserable?) Is there a limit to how many times you can sit airport appreciation? Is there an ability to jump on an open trip day before? Will they use all the FOs before putting a CA in the FO seat? Last, do you have automatic release at the end of a reserve trip or do you have to call for release?
5. Bidding - do you use PBS? Line bidding? Is there a line improvement window where you can potentially swap/drop trips or adjust schedule? That was something I loved at XJT....our line improvement window. You could really clean your schedule up nicely.
6. Seat lock - I would plan to bid whatever got me into DFW fastest.....if the landscape changed, how long are you locked into the 145 or 175 etc?
7. Any insight into company shenanigans in regards to going into SWAP every day so as not to have to follow the contract, working with crews on adjusting fuel/adjusting routes in weather, excessive MELs, etc. XJT was pretty good about all these items except for the daily SWAP? (Holy run-on...) one thing I appreciated about XJT was the CPO. Never gave us any grief about bereavement, fatigue, sick etc. (not that those all applied to me, I’m just speaking in general)
8. Soft time. What are you guys and gals getting for deadhead, cancellations etc? How are the lines in terms of credit and mix? Can you get 85+ Hours without working your off days?
Once again, I appreciate everyone’s help with noob question ON TOP of everything else you are dealing with. I am happy to recieve (and fully expect) the “dont come here” and “look at OO” responses etc. I am looking everywhere, I can assure you. Well...everywhere that has a DFW base and loosely places that have IAH bases (which is closer to a 3 hour drive and not ideal) I apologize for the huge list of question.
TL;DR - sorry to ask, hows life at ENY?
