chrisreedrules

If I get furloughed within the first few years then we’ll have bigger fish to fry regardless. Personally I don’t want 2-3 years of expenses in a vessel of some sort that isn’t really earning me anything. We’re relatively young and can afford to be aggressive with our investments (and we have been) and it has paid off very well.

We have money in savings and have been preparing but I have fixed monthly expenses that come with caring for a parent with less than perfect health among other things. That doesn’t change whether I make $10K /month or $7K. If I have to move money around to make it all work I will. But I’d rather not get too deep into our emergency fund if I don’t have to. We have several properties and you may be surprised to know that $10-$15K can be gone very quick when things break on multiple properties in a month. Ask me how I know (a couple years in a row ).

So anyway, I’m over a year away from the flow and things may change. But being furloughed isn’t a primary concern of mine with the retirements looming. Even when the economy and the housing markets correct I don’t anticipate it impacting things to the point where furloughs will be a real thing. I do think more consolidation is on the way though.

Anyway... I appreciate all the input from everyone. Just trying to figure out how to make it all work that first year primarily. What bases/aircraft have the shortest time on reserve? Is it realistic to hope to hold a line in MIA, LGA, or PHL the first year?

thrust

Very realistic, as in 100% certain. You might find that you value certain days off and elect to bid reserve though to facilitate that.

thrust

Tough to do year 1. Perhaps easier year 2 depending on domicile and aircraft. Need a bit of seniority horsepower to be able to play the IMAX game and consistently credit 100 hours month after month.

UPTme

FYI, consistently crediting 100 hrs a month is NOT playing the IMAX game.... That's setting yourself up for failure.

chrisreedrules

What do you mean? I figured with some of the soft pay and work rules at AA it wouldn’t be unrealistic to credit 90+ hours /month while only blocking 80-85. I wouldn’t work myself to the bone every month but I typically like to work hard for a few months then take one or two off with a light schedule if possible. I will be commuting after all so it will be tough to do that every month, even with some seniority in base/seat.

mainlineAF

The 73 and bus have a lot of high block time trips. Their trips are usually hard time, maybe just an hour or 2 of soft time from what I’ve seen. Nice thing is there are some 17-18 hour 3 days, but you fly a lot.

The 190 typically has at least 3 or 4 hours of soft time on a 4 day if not more.

AAfng

I cant speak for other places but I did 1 day of reserve in LGA last year. Lots of guys doing 1-2 months then getting lines. Crappy 90hr all weekend lines but with you a line you can then start trip trading and improving it.

Name User

FYI the junior trips typically have red eyes imbedded in them and they are not like your typical RJ flying. ACD has helped at least you don't have to work five days a week for 22 hours pay doing back to back red eyes anymore but they will kill your spirit to go to work.

TallFlyer

I get that it's fashionable to be pessimistic as an airline pilot, but for a pilot at a AA WO carrier who's young there really is no choice but flow. Any significant hit that would cause a furlough at Mainline is going to roll downhill and affect the WO carriers significantly, and these are carriers that lack any CBAs with other mainline carriers to insulate their pilot groups.

Additionally, the first half of the 2020s is the major retirement wave at AA, with roughly one third of the seniority list hitting mandatory retirement in that period. The earlier one can get hired in that wave, the better you'll fare, because even if the worst were to happen, the airline could very easily shrink significantly while not furloughing. Yes, seniority wherever one was stuck would suck, but longevity, and therefore pay rates, would obviously increase.

black cat

Any word on how soon CLT may start seeing some decent movement? Regardless of whether or not it may see a 73 base there at some point down the line? I know there are supposed to be a lot of CLT guys retiring sooner than later.