Originally Posted by
CRJ-200
So how is it decided on what aircraft you start on? Is it what ever is open when you're hired, or do the pilots with more experience begin on bigger planes? You were a Second Officer on the DC-10 and bypassed the 727... how were you able to do that?
Simple answer, what junior seats have vacancies. We have hired into 727 SO and FO, DC10 SO, ANC MD11 FO and Subic Bay A300 FO. They try to get guys with glass-cockpit experience for the MD11. Again, as mentioned, if hired into a widebody FO seat, you could sit there for quite a while. There is no typical progression. For myself, as I live in Memphis, I have upgraded quickly. Hired as a 727 SO, DC10 SO after 9 months, DC10 FO at 2 years, and 727 Capt at 5 1/2 years. Probably will be a widebody Capt at 8 years, given the growth here. Others camp out in a seat (especially commuters,)and enjoy better schedules. I fly with quite a few 72 FOs and occasionally a SO who is senior to me.