EZRider

Speaking for the Classic fleet only (what you'll be hired into if you get on here now):

Schedule is 16 on, 14 off. You can bid the 16 on as the 1st 16 days of the bid, the last 16 days of the bid, or the first and last 8 days of the bid. The company has the right to extend you involuntarily 2 additional days, and often does. So, typical schedule for me is 16-18 on, then 12-14 off. Repeat. You will never have to work more than 18 days (unless you bid it or volunteer to do it), and, if extended, the company must transport you home to your home airport (you designate this airport). So, even if you're extended, generally you only work 1 additional day, b/c the last day is spent traveling to your home airport.

You are out longer than 2 weeks (14 days) 100% of the time, essentially, if you're based in JFK, the junior base, and where 90% of the pilots are based. You either bid 16 days on (extendable to 18) or you bid the first and last 8 days of each bid, and then you end up out 16-18 days anyway (the last 8, and then the first 8 of the next bid). If you can't handle 18 days straight, you can't work here - it's that simple.

Typical 16 days of scheduling right now is 1-2 days of reserve, a flight out of the northeast to Germany (either JFK or a limo to WRI or DOV, then cross the Atlantic), a 1-2 sit in Germany, a flight down to Kuwait through Turkey, a 2 day sit in Kuwait, a flight back to Germany, 1-2 days in Germany, a heavy crew from Germany to Afghanistan to China, a 2 day sit in China, a flight from China to Anchorage via Japan, then a commercial home. 18 days, 45 hours of flying, 72 hours of pay (min of 65 hours, then 4 hours per day for each day extended). Though I called this 'typical', this is just an example that gives you an idea of what a junior guy might see based in JFK.

Lots of reserve (most lines are reserve lines), but no crash pad. We have a company paid hotel room (think Red Roof Inn quality, not Ritz Carlton) in JFK if you're on reserve. Essentially, the company owns you for the 16 days (even the line holders get their lines changed up all the time, so, in my mind, it is just like reserve anyway, but some guys swear that being a line holder is a better deal). Hotels when in the continental US are generally Courtyard Marriot or the like when not in JFK. When outside the CONUS, we stay in Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot, or Hyatt type places (we're in the same hotel as Fed Ex, UPS, or passenger carriers in various locals, and in the same places as other freight outfits like Atlas, World, or what have you when flying into military fields not near civilian facilities, such as Hann AB, which we seem to frequent a good amount lately).

Other random stuff - travel is business class or better when leaving the CONUS or any trip of over 6 hours (including layover time). Food on board our aircraft is usually adequate in quantity, but often lacking in quality. With the 3 man flightdeck, you have 12 hours of allowable flight time per duty period - and you will be asked to fly up to 12 hours at times. 1-2 legs per day when flying. Open time is currently plentiful - if you don't value your off time or desire to never see your family or home, Evergreen will be more than happy to accommodate you. Departure times are often just guesses - expect the unexpected. Crews are good, though we have our 5%, and we have a couple scabs. If you have a true family or other emergency, Evergreen will bend over backwards to get you home without regard to cost. Evergreen owns a amazing collection of museum aircraft (including the Spruce Goose), an IMax theater, and is building a water park with a 747 with a slide through it - you can usually get in for free to these things by showing your ID (handy if you live near McMinnville, OR). Small company, everyone knows everyone else (both good and bad, but you won't be 'just a number' here). Evergreen has been in negotiations for a new contract for at least 3 years (current contract came into effect in 2000, I believe), and voted in ALPA 3 years ago. Management wants concessions (the business class travel, hotels for reserves in base, and catering are the items that management seems worked up about) - pilots feel current contract is below industry average and want increases; typical negotiations. Upgrade was slowed by age 65 change, most CA's are lifers, many FO's historically leave Evergreen for what they feel are better options for them - nobody is leaving now, there's nowhere to go. Not much growth expected, contraction risks are military flying reductions or losing the Boeing LCF contract (or MX shearing off the top of another 747 accidentally - they're old, so its likely cheaper to turn aircraft into beer cans then pay the $ to fix them if they need major MX). Evergreen historically furloughs the bottom 10-15% of the work force each December for 4 months or so, right after UPS peak (and now UPS is furloughing). Didn't furlough at all in Dec. 2009, furloughed for up to 9 months in Dec. 2008.

It's not for everyone, but it suits others nicely. I hope this lengthy synopsis helps. We're hiring right now (I think) but you need internals or the chutzpah to walk your own stuff in to get a call (it worked of a guy on this board in the past).