Originally Posted by MX442

I am very, very interested in World. But, I have a lot of questions. I really like the idea of home basing. I have a desire to fly big iron, but I'm not interested in living in NY, ATL, or LA. Also, having 2 weeks off every month doesn't sound too bad, if that is typical.

I would really like to see a copy of your CBA, and bid lines. That would answer most of my questions.

With DC-10's coming would you start as an SO? Are there seat locks preventing a vacancy bid to MD-11 or 747? Are 747's still coming this year? If so, will they likely be filled by new-hire or vacancy bid?

They are hiring SO's and FO's for the 10. They are also hiring FO's for the MD11's - how they decide what you get is a bit of a mystery - I had flown nothing but glass for 8 years and got the 10! There is a 1year seat lock. The first pilots are in training for the 747 - it went surprisingly junior for the FO's first time around but I don't think it would go to new hires

How many pilots are assigned to the long flights? IRO's?

On the 10's 3man crew can go up to 12 hours, on the 11's (and 74's) over 8 needs IRO

How flexible are schedules, such as trip trading or being able to drop a few days in the middle of a 14 day assignment? What happens if you get sick in Mumbai or the far corners of the globe?

I am new, less than a year and don't hold a line yet but I haven't seen any trip trading although I believe that it is possible. Not possible to drop days in the middle of a trip (unless a family emergency etc.) The company takes care of you if you are sick overseas.


I've only seen a couple posts about schedules. Are these average, or just one guy's good luck story? Is it more typical to get the minimum 12 days off? If you go out on a 13 day trip, what happens with the other 5 work days of the month? I'd like to see an actual bid packet to answer questions like this.

As I said I am new, but at least on the 10 the lines seem to have between 12 and 16 days off. (The fleet is set to double in size from 2 freighters and 1 pax to 2 freighters and 4 pax so the lines should improve). Everyone else is reserve or open time with 12 days off. (6 hard days off). I hear they are busy on the 11 (or at least have been until the 3 ex delta 11's leave). On the 10 not so busy for FO's. I am averaging about 7 days a month at work on an open time line.
If you have a hard line with only 13 days then you are off for the rest of the month. On open time or reserve you get 24 hours off on return to your home base and then sit reserve/Open time for the other days.

I hope I didn't bombard y'all with too many questions, but this is what's on my mind. Thanks...