Hello all!

I’m currently highly considering United. I have been a corporate pilot and charter pilot my whole career and I am 51. I have a few questions about the operation. Thanks in advance for any information that you are willing to share!

First off I live 2 hour and 35 from Chicago ORD and quality of life is the most important for me and my family.

1) How long before I could realistically hold ORD as an FO on Reserve, and then how long to hold a line?

2) Since I will get EWR or SFO out of training, would it be better to commute to EWR or SFO to hold a line there quicker? Or start all over on reserve in ORD? Your opinion.

3) What is the difference between long and short call reserve?

4) How difficult is it to find a crash pad at EWR or SFO and what is the approximate cost?

5) Once I held a line if all I wanted was to have four days off in a row (those days M-F and not over holidays) a few times a year is that even possible to plan with some certainty before the 18th day of the previous month? If I bid my line to stay away from those four days?

6) What would be a realistic time frame to upgrade to Captain at ORD? Is the 737 the best bet for that?

Thank you for your time!