Phoenix has gone very junior for direct entry captains. It may not be an option in Indoc but is very likely attainable on the next bid. Several Direct Entry Captains were junior assigned to Phoenix on the July 8th bid. Right now there isn’t much flying available for reserve captains in Phoenix. Those who live in Phoenix are happy to sit at home on reserve and not get called, but many of us who commute are trying to bid out to other bases where we will fly more. Base bids are done about 4 times a year. Base trades can be done with the union between those bids. I’m trying to get out of Phoenix and no active captains from ORD or DFW will trade with me. Phoenix is slowly growing but they are intentionally keeping it very over staffed. I sat a month as a reserve captain in Phoenix without being called.

The junior base a few months ago was ORD. The junior base is now DFW since that base is growing the most and many ORD E145 pilots have now retrained on the E175. Miami is senior. Everyone who wanted Phoenix got it on the last bid. If your friend can be patient he won’t have to wait long for Phoenix. Even if they don’t post vacancies in Phoenix, they will backfill when some of us bid out. The retired AA captain in my Indoc class is rather disgruntled at receiving regional airline treatment. The E175 is a sweet airplane to fly if you can put up with years of reserve and 12 days off.