Originally Posted by
CBrF3
CJO holder here eagerly looking forward to starting and trying to figure out my plan for bidding while I wait. Looking for advice.
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
The wording of your post, and pardon me if I'm wrong, suggests that you might not fully understand how seniority works. Your OVERALL seniority doesn't care how long you've been in a base, a seat, or aircraft type. Only how many pilots were hired before/after you at Delta Air Lines. I.e. you don't "lose" seniority by waiting to changes bases or planes, and seniority isn't gained/lost any faster simply because you've sat in a particular seat/category longer. Your RELATIVE seniority is what dictates within your category (base/equipment/seat.) If you change category, you take your OVERALL seniority with you, and your RELATIVE seniority within that category (number of pilots in the same category OVERALL senior/junior to you) dictates your seniority in that category.
As for base switching and aircraft choice, I think you have a pretty good handle on that. You can attempt to move to MSP immediately if the aircraft type you're awarded flies in that base (330, 73N, 320, 220.) So if getting to MSP is your desire, first and foremost you should bid those aircraft (well, not the 330), with secondary emphasis on MSP if it's offered. 220 is the junior plane in MSP and would likely offer the quickest relative seniority gains. Basically, avoid the 717/7ER at all costs (because no base in MSP, not because they're bad.)