Few basic Qs please
 

Good day,

Few basic questions I am trying to find the concise/definite answer for here.
Please do not call me lazy, I browsed through thousands of informative posts here, but there seem to be some ambiguity on those points.

1. What are the chances of getting the CLT, DCA or ORD as a new hire these days?
2. Is fleet/base bidding based on SSN or the actual age?
3. If unsuccessful, how long after Indoc can one expect to get a chance to bid and be awarded the base/fleet of choice (as above)?
4. How long can one expect to sit home/airport on reserve? Are new joiners ever called out for the flight in first few months after IOE?
5. During reserve how many ‘undisturbed’ days off a month can one expect?
6. What is the report time at the airport on ’short call’ reserve? Or to put it another way how far from the airport can one live to make it on time?
7. How long does the whole training process take and do you get to fly home on your days off during that training?
8. Is the training paid per Year 1 rules (Minimum Guarantee) or is it less?
9. What is the realistic take home pay during the first and second year - ballpark figure
10. What is the scope of the Family medical/dental/eye insurance? Is one expected to pay his own part and if so how much?

Lastly, is it a good 'final destination' place for an experienced pilot with 12 years to go till retirement you reckon?

Appreciate your time taken to get my head clear on those points.

1. DCA maybe, CLT and ORD no.
2. Age
3. you’ll get any base within 7 months of your hire date.
4. We don’t have airport reserve and the second part varies wildly by base, short call reserve can actually go senior here.
5. Depends on the base and time of year, others could answer this one better then me.
6. We don’t have a report time when on short call “ reasonably available by surface transportation”
7. 2-3 months with half to a full month off. Yes you get a positive space ticket home on off days.
8. Under current contract it is paid at average line value in your seat and base, approx 81ish hours
9. Others can answer this better then me, depends on if you want to pickup flying or not.
10. Not sure what this means, imho I think our insurance is pretty good but I could be wildly wrong.

1. If the trend the last several months continue, effectively zero (I think one class has had DCA slots)
2. Age (Oldest is most seniior)
3. We run a bid roughly every 3-4 months (min three times a year). You are very likely to get what what you want in the first vacancy bid (ORD may be more difficult since there is no airbus fleet if you are awarded airbus)
4. LGA 737 domestic can get LC first or second month on the line and an actual line not too much longer after that. Other bases vary greatly
5. 12 days off but can have more if you count reserve days when you aren't called
6. Report promptly/reasonable amount of time. There is no defined SC callout
7. 1.5-3 months. You get positive space confirmed travel home/wherever in the 48 states on your off days (contingent on there being a main cabin seat available when you book)
8. Training is paid at average line value (roughly 81 hours)
9. First year pay ($90 and change) multiplied by min reserve guarantee (would be 76 hours for SC under new TA)
10. There are many options to choose from

Thank you very much,
Great feedback

our insurance sucks

How so?

filler

Since I missed your last point, I want to add I think AA is the ideal place for someone with 12 years left. The retirement wave would be highly favorable to someone in your situation and you would progress the quickest here. No, WB CA wouldn’t be an option, but you’d probably be looking at 10 years as a NB CA. The disclaimer is that we don’t know where you live. Go where you can drive to work and enjoy!

Thank you, good point. I think I have had enough of WB flying, so NB would suit me just fine....
If I could get Philly or DC area I would be set for good.

Both were easily attainable as a new hire FO in the last bid

expensive, mediocre network. Had a kid using my wife’s insurance was way less money then the second go around with ours