I would like to say that this is also true for those around 12,000 or lower...it is seriously not worth the effort to get here, I would stay away....ps. whats up with the mountain of open time for FOs in CLT tomorrow(3/2)?!!!! Thats a $hit-ton of trips!

Is there a race tomorrow?

My suggestion for a new hire or newish would be to move to the PHL/DC area. Get within 2 hours of those bases. You’ll always have extra seniority in PHL due to it being junior and a commuter heavy base, good flying, multiple fleet types etc.. CLt will always be senior.

nope, they are in Vegas...first CLT race is Memorial Day weekend

Have you seen the trips in clt?
Just a big regional airline. With grand layovers in BWI CLE CMH ABE BDL....
But you will get a hotel room with a view of the runways. If you’re into that.

Kinda reminds me of the HI EWR. You can see the inmates working out. Rumor has it, a few F/A didn't mind flashing their b00bs at those poor souls ... :D

I'm actually from CLT, with a ton of my family still living there (and wife's family in Pinehurst). So it's going to be the ultimate goal ASAP either way. Hope it gets better by the time I'm trying... :confused:

I was hired with US Airways in 2014. CLT was the senior base at that airline, but at that point, there was a lot of movement for about a year until LAA and LUS merged their operations. I was CLT based for about a year. In 2014, I was 3 from the bottom, and by 2017, I had moved up to about 75% seniority.

Since then, it's stagnated. Here's a few observations and comments I've seen and heard:

- The 737 is taking up more flying in and out of CLT. There's rumors of a 737 base opening up down the road, but before the company can do that, they have to reach a contract with maintenance. With CLT among the largest bases at AA, it makes sense that they'd want their other domestic workhorse to have a base there.

- At some point, there HAS to be movement, regardless of a 737 base. Along with many of the captains nearing 65, there are a LOT of LUS FOs that are nearing 65 as well. CLT is by far the oldest base at AA.

I, too, am looking to go back to CLT. For now I'm commuting to DFW, but in several years (once my sons graduate high school), we are moving east. CLT is one of the most livable bases. I won't be living in CLT proper (AVL), but there's a lot of areas with affordable housing, mountains, beaches, etc, within easy reach. DFW might be the Mother Ship, but it's flat, hot and the weather is lousy...not to mention that DFW real estate is getting more expensive by the day.

Good luck. And on that note, be glad that right now, demographics will force the changes you seek. Just be patient.

^^^ a 737 base in CLT.... oh the horror!!

What oh what are you pampered Bus pilots to do?? I predict massive resignations. It’s the end of the world as you know it!

:D:p

June vacancy said 544 CLT/320/FO for August was the number, now the August vacancy says that number is down to 519, so clearly the road to CLT is not through a vacancy...ouch :(

Not necessarily. Retirements plus guys going to widebodies and elsewhere, it’s not necessarily as hopeless as it seems.

I was curious about taxes in NC, speciffically around Lake Norman? I think I'd like to own a ridiculously over powered pontoon boat on a lake, and this seems like the right spot. Can't do this in the DC 'burbs.

Has anyone made this move and regretted it? I think we might be looking for a change in scenery from DC in the next 5 years...

now dont get me wrong I am very thankful for my position, but I have been in CLT for about 3 years now, and after about 6 months here i was at 78%, I am now at 80.5% and have been for the last year......June vacancy had 34 FOs bid to other positions without one being back filled, would just like to know why in a year they have reduced the FO numbers by close to 100 now in the last year with no explanation as to why

I moved up there 4 years ago. I love it. But... do your homework. Depending on exactly what neighborhood/street/county your in, taxes can be significantly different. I live in the county, but 2 streets away is the city. Difference is 1000’s. Furthermore, be aware what Lake Norman really costs. West side of lake is cheaper but it’s definitely been discovered and isn’t cheap. Cornelius and Mooresville, be realistic... 500k gets you know “””more than a updated fancy mobile home on the water.

Just realized you said DC burbs... maybe the prices won’t scare you... but they still ain’t cheap

If they open a 737 base in CLT, hopefully all the A320 faithful avoid it so I can upgrade to the left seat. I don't particularly care what I fly. I like the Bus, but I'll fly the 737 if it means better seniority.

What number is the plug CLT CA. I would guess 73’s and some 787s eventually.

13,6xx....put it this way, the bottom CLT FO is over 1,000! numbers senior to the bottom GP II FO at every other base as of the June vacancy award

My bad you said CA....oops

You cracked the code!

FWIW I’d probably be on the Bus here in DCA if it meant better seniority

I’d brace for a lot of S80 displacements coming to CLT.

Probably

Seems like our movement is following the retirements. Attrition off the top here in CLT. Like everyone else here in base, I’ve moved up 100 numbers, but lost a hundred behind me. Stagnant in seniority in base. Maybe it’s all to shrink to eventually put in a 737 base, one can hope. To the other posters who think we’re all AB faithful (and I do like it WAY more than Boeing), I will bet you most in base will jump over to 737 if it opens here and means a huge jump in seniority. I think we

no doubt! Id welcome the 737 as long as it meant more total numbers in CLT, not just dividing the current total bw 737/AB....737 not going to happen until the mechanics thing is worked out though...and i jump to the the 737 if it meant better seniority, although it would have to be in the neighborhood of a 25% improvement for me to consider, anything less doesnt really get many anything, like weekends off on SC! That might be on of the most senior bid positions in CLT for FOs besides island turns, haha.

Then why didn't you bid the E190 ? :D

1) because it’s not in DCA...
2) uhh... the pay kinda sucks
3) see #1 :-)

???

Quick! Somebody call a doctor! aa73 is losing it!

“Losing” it? I never had it to begin with!! :D;)

CLT commuting
 

How bad is the commute from CLT? If I live there as a new hire, is the commute elsewhere manageable? Is it worth it to commute for a few years or better to live in domicile elsewhere and just move to CLT when senior enough?

Bid the 320 to philly. Crashpads are plentiful and there’s only 1 airport to cover. Charlotte will opens up eventually. Some guys prefer Miami or LGA, but I think philly has the most positives.


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It’s not bad at all IMO. I commuted through CLT to PHL occasionally, it was fine. LGA would probably be fine too. Personally, if I were planning to eventually move to CLT, I’d just do it at the get go, especially if you have kids. Or stay put and commute from your current location until you can hold CLT. This also allows you to get your income up before purchasing in CLT. Where do you live now? Middle or High School aged kids?

I personally wouldn’t move to another base knowing you’ll move again in a year or 2. Seems like a waste of money and energy. Not fun for the kids either.

I currently live in Goldsboro, NC, until I retire next Spring. 3 kids are all elementary school age. No desire to stay put in Goldsboro. I'm just not sure if I want to deal with commuting for potentially a few years. We're also exploring the option of moving to DFW. However, if not hired by AA then hope for Delta and move to ATL. Ideally, the commuting is manageable to live in CLT and bid somewhere east coast so it's not so painful.

Ok, so you’re military. Yes the commute is easy...if you can embrace it. I definitely recommend get hired, make 1 move to your top choice domicile on the AF dime. I will warn you that a lot of military guys (and I am military) will tell you to avoid commuting at all cost, but take it through a filter. Take the long view, 2 years will go by quick (obviously standard disclosure that that economic disasters could halt CLT movement for decades).

I did a very crappy 4 hour commute, losing 2 hours of time zone for 4 years.was also commuting 10 hours by car to my reserve gig. You’ll be good to go.