Originally Posted by
Bill Lumberg
It doesn't pay as much as the 73N, requires a long training period at Natco, and I see many people currently commuting to DTW bidding ATL if it is closer to their home. Same with the A330. A lot of A330 pilots live in FLA and do the one monthly commute to DTW to start and end a 12 day trip. I would think ATL would get very senior on those two planes, with DTW opening up.
DTW 330 could get more junior... or get more senior... or stay the same with fewer seats. Basically, a crap shoot there.
But I agree ATL will be super senior but it might not be because of FL commuters. I think if ATL 330 opens and the pent up demand following the 7ER transformation and 764 slaughter in Peachtree City and Dallas for a strict international category will attract a lot of seniority to it not to mention 330 guys already on the plane who chase it in either base.
As to commuters, if you live in MCO is it worth it to bid ATL and lose seniority to save an hour on your commute? If you live in JAX, maybe. But if you only do it once and a half times a month, probably not. Being closer helps really only if you're driving and not if you're hell bent on taking the last flight that lands with 30 minutes left before show.
Of course there are guys who live in SAV that off mainline commute to 7ER NYC when ATL is a relatively short drive but they could only hold the 88.
I think commuters will go to the path of least resistance to the highest QOL and to me, it's DTW. Put it this way, I know ATL based and ATL residing pilots who are ready to bid off the 737 and go to DTW and fly the 320. Fly 3 5-days a month for 80+ hours beats the snot out of flying every day on reserve on super unproductive trips.
As to the 320, still curious as to whether its replacing mainline equipment in ATL or adding to it and pooping out RJs?