Originally Posted by
KnownTraveler
If you're a new hire, but an old guy (48) how do you navigate the initial bid?
My case:
48 years old (17 years left)
Live close to MCO (will always commute from there)
8xxx series SSN - so I think that helps bidding initially
Goal: Maximize income over 17 years, while minimizing commutes (1-2 trips per month [even if they're longer] is better than 3-4 trips per month).
I hear 73, 7ER, 765 are now doable bids as a new hire. I have no idea what life is actually like on any of those.
ATL seems like the obvious choice commuting from MCO. But is it?
I have a dream: Be gone 10-12 days per month - make captain pay within 5-6 years. Don't care about weekends, red-eyes, etc. (no kids at home). Biggest thing is fewer trips. Length of trips, not an issue. I'd rather do 12 days on, 20 off. Instead of 3 on, 5 off. Don't know if that's even a thing at DAL.
Am I dreaming too big? What bids make the most sense for that? Reminder: only 17 years before I'm out.
Any thoughts would help - even if you just want to make fun of me - witty jokes welcome.
Thanks.
Commuting to ATL as a Floridian is more desirable as many more trips in ATL are commutable vs NYC trips. Even if on reserve in MCO, you can YS for a commutable trip. First flt from MCO is probably in the 530am range with a 630 or so backup making anything with a sign in after 8am commutable. Likewise coming back to MCO there is often a 1030PM and often an 1130PM option making almost any trip return commutable. If you go to NYC, you will spend many more days either going up a day early or returning the following days. That's one of the main reasons NYC is so much junior, not to mention they have many more trips in the NYC area with very early sign ins and very late returns as ATL is built for connections. Lastly on the NYC NB side you are covering multiple airports, in ATL you are covering one, that has a plethora of cheap hotels surrounding it.