Does 320 MIA (and DFW) not do the island stuff? Have a buddy that is 737i in DFW. I know he does some island as well as south/central America that goes through MIA. I’m hoping for DFW 320i. If DFW doesn’t come back around in the initial bids I can at least get 320i MIA and then bid back. I’m not likely to see WB so at least want to see overnights out of somewhere that the “beach” has water and not just places like ELP or LBB. Could have gone to SWA if I wanted to see those exotic destinations.

 

320 MIA does do Islands, Columbia, Mexico, South American ish. Just 737 has usually the better layovers.

These layovers and routes change time from time between the two airframes.

 

It'll be the easiest job you've ever had (barring commuting issues) if you let it. Be a sponge, smile a lot, make your Captain's job easy, and don't do anyone else's job but yours.

As a Corp guy that last part might be the hardest. You are no longer a generalist with responsibility for everything, but a specialist with a narrow scope of action. The sooner you grasp that idea the better your life (and more importantly, your stress) will be.

 

I cannot wait for that part. I flew at the regionals years ago and am looking forward to getting back to the 121 world.

 

All my 121 friends said I have no idea how much easier my life has just become. As far as commuting, I live in base, so that’s covered. Yes about the hardest part not doing anyone else’s job. I was CP for 17.5 years or so for 2 different owners. At the interview when asked “what does a 91 CP job entail”, I said to sum it up I wore a round hat with a lot of job titles on it and it never stopped spinning. I can’t wait to just be a great FO, fly the damn plane and then go home without that frieken round hat on…..

 

No hats required at AA, of any kind. 🤣

 

Best news I’ve heard all day!

Questions about the drop process…

- I assume that when these drops go public some 3-5 days before class start, they email the class with the list. Is that a safe assumption?
- Do they give you a roster with seniority order?

 

Unless you live near NYC, LGA sucks. You should be one of the first few to bid in class so I don’t think you’ll have to worry about it.

For anyone else on the fence about LGA, here’s my experience so far being based there. I came from a WO regional and was based in CLT. Looking at the PBS awards, the CLT trips for AA look very similar to what I was used to at the regional. Other than the destinations of course. Similar trip footprints. Probably the way AA builds the departure and arrival banks in the hubs.

I’ve always been a commuter and probably always will be. As a commuter I honestly think I was home more being based in and commuting to CLT compared to if I actually lived in base for LGA. Covering three airports in LGA with lots of early 5am and 6am reports and late finishes after 9pm and 10pm when the last departure banks have already left to commute on. You will need at least one hotel for just about every single trip if not a hotel before AND after your LGA trips. Or share a crashpad with a bunch of other pilots… even with some decent seniority.

In CLT, 90% of the time I was able to leave my house in the Midwest around 9am to noon and commute in on day 1 and commute home last day. Occasionally I would have to take a 6am flight but also sometimes I could take a 5pm flight as my first working leg was around 10pm. Not a red eye btw. Usually just one leg to finish around midnight give or take. And again, from what I see… the trip footprints on the AA side look very similar. I’d still have a smaller “total trip footprint” that includes the commute compared to staying home and driving to work in LGA.

I decided to stay in LGA a little longer just to be able to hold a line. I should be able to get back to CLT on this next vacancy award. Looking at the PBS awards, as a line holder who commutes, I would seriously rather be bottom line holder in CLT than top 20% in LGA.

 

- Not a safe assumption. Drops are due the day before the class date. If they come earlier that is a bonus. The majority of the time it comes earlier, but there have been a few instances where it waited until the day or two before. Especially if there was a holiday late in the week before. But yes, you will get a direct email with the list when it does come out.

- You don't get a roster before you show up. Lot of uncertainty going into the bid and you won't know for sure until it is your turn.

 

They do email the list but it’s technically not “official”. They’ll have a disclaimer that says the choices could change. My class it was exactly what the email had. Not sure if it’s ever different or how often.

I don’t remember getting an email about the roster, but they did give everyone a list that shows where you stand in class before you bid.
If you’re 54 I would be surprised if you’re not at least top 5 out of 30 or 40 or whatever the class sizes are now. Top 10 absolute worst case.