Originally Posted by calcapt
Short but truthful answers:
1. I think they give a lot of credit and weight to someone who has operated with scheduled service and regularity. Pilots with the regionals have demonstrated their ability to operate under these conditions. Obviously some flying does not require the pilot to maintain a schedule and that type flying would be viewed differently.
2. New pilots are on reserve with 12 days off a month. Once off reserve your days off are determined on what schedule you are senior enough to hold. Our senior schedules have 21 days off a month. Average maybe 15 to 17.
3. Ease of commuting is based on where you commute from, time of year, equipment used on the route etc. etc. Absolutely impossible to determine without specifics. No commute is easy! Some are just less painful than others.
4. Just completed a 4 hour flight from Central America and am not done for the day. I am tired and want to go home. That being said, I can't think of another career I would rather do. I only wish my last landing was a bit smoother! Not bad - just not great...Two more legs today to redeem myself.
Good Luck
CALCapt,
Great info, I start class in a week and will hopefully get the 737. I have some questions of my own:
1) On a trip could you fly all 5 types or are trips type specific?
2) It appears that hiring will slow for the summer which means I'll be on the bottom for a while, what is the staffing looking like now? Do you reserve will be busy over the next few months? I would like to fly as much as possible to off-set the first year cut, but still am damn glad to be making the move!
3) Have the PBS tests started? If so, how is the system being recieved by those playing with it?
4) Lastly, what are the plans for the older 737's (300/500)? I know some of them are getting on in years, are they planning on going all "NG" in the future?
I'm sure I will find some of this out once in training but I am a curious one and have absolutely nothing better to do! ;-)