Airline Pilot Central Forums - 737 vs 320 for New Hire

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- - 737 vs 320 for New Hire (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/american/118389-737-vs-320-new-hire.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pack (Post 2717797)

Good afternoon everyone!

I’ll be in new hire class in about 2 months. I have couple of question for those who are already at AA. My end goal is to be based in DFW as quickly as possible regardless if I can hold a line or not. My base preference in order as new hire if they offer all would be LAX, MIA, LGA and PHL.

Which equipment would you recommend I bid for? 737 or 320?

Which equipment gives you a faster upgrade?

Which equipment gets me a line the fastest?

Those who have flown both airplanes which one do you prefer and why?

Any other information that you think is important for me to know or consider please do share.

Thanks!

I'll be a few months behind you, but my situation is the exact same. My end result is to be based in DFW whenever the time comes.

I have talked to several current guys and the consensus seems to go Airbus. However, I think (opinion only) that some of the 737 trips out of MIA might be a bit better than Airbus trips elsewhere. So, depending on the commute, MIA wouldn't be too bad until seniority/bid makes DFW an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMBFlyer (Post 2717949)

I have flown both.

And your preference, if everything else is the same, is?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aa73 (Post 2717965)

Bid the Bus for comfort
Bid the Boeing for character

good luck ;)

25 years sof herding DC-9's around...
Got plenty character
Ready for easy:)

AB vs 737 debate #21,302 on this forum...

It really comes down to what you value more:

-If you value comfort, a quieter airplane, and/or a more automated airplane, then bid the Bus
-If you value quality of life, fewer redeyes, more seniority (resulting in getting a line sooner), better trips, lower rates of reassignments mid-trip, and flying a less automated airplane, then bid the 737

For reference, I fly the 737, I'm relatively junior system-wide, I'm based at home (non-commuter), I'm in the bottom 10% in base, and I hold a line with an average of 16+ days off per month. I have NOT flown the bus, but I have sat in dozens of bus jumpseats - the bus is more spacious and a bit quieter as others have attested, but I also come from over a decade of flying RJs, which are MUCH louder and more cramped than the 737. I'm happy where I am, and I don't plan on changing equipment until I get awarded widebody flying or upgrade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foumanchu (Post 2717980)

. So, depending on the commute, MIA wouldn't be too bad until seniority/bid makes DFW an option.

While I don't have first hand experience, I have heard the DFW/MIA commute is probably one of the tougher ones... YMMV

Quote:

Originally Posted by flydc (Post 2717891)

I’ve been here 2yrs on the 190. Looking at my seniority in each base/fleet, I’d be anywhere from 10-30% more senior on the 737 in bases that offer both fleets. Legacy US 320 bases are super stagnant at the moment.

How much more senior is the bus than the 73 in lga?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOGIII (Post 2718030)

How much more senior is the bus than the 73 in lga?

Thanks

Junior 320 FO in LGA is 15005....most junior 737 is 14997......so really a wash for the "newhire placement" bases....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliceback (Post 2717991)

And your preference, if everything else is the same, is?

737. I enjoy the way it flies. It's very simple to operate. Like aa73, I still enjoy flying airplanes.

Currently, my seniority is much better on the 737 and I think the flying is better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobes (Post 2718082)

Junior 320 FO in LGA is 15005....most junior 737 is 14997......so really a wash for the "newhire placement" bases....

Thanks. Any discernable difference in the trips between the two in lga?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOGIII (Post 2718129)

Thanks. Any discernable difference in the trips between the two in lga?

I just looked at the September PBS awards. I choose September to get away from holiday bidding. I looked at guys 300, 500, and 1,000 from the bottom. It looks like the current guys had slightly faster bidding quality advancement on the 737.

There's a lot of movement so trying to forecast what it will be like in 6 months is tough.