Qal - phl/dca/clt/ord
 

CJO received and waiting for the class date. 51yo excited to join AA as a career destination.
I see there is a lot of volatility in the class assignments these days.
As we are moving from overseas we have no roots anywhere in the US as of yet, but want to be in the East Coast to be able to fly to Europe to see the Family and visit our son in college in WV.
Could someone please share their view on the overall quality of life for a new hire across bases in PHL, DCA, CLT and ORD?
I'm interested in the following:
- time to hold a line
- ability to bid short-reserve
- typical trips
- red-eyes/overnights?
- ability to swap trips (I understand dropping trips is impossible).
- seniority progression in that particular base.

Thanks

[QUOTE=N4865G;3706623]CJO received and waiting for the class date. 51yo excited to join AA as a career destination.
I see there is a lot of volatility in the class assignments these days.
As we are moving from overseas we have no roots anywhere in the US as of yet, but want to be in the East Coast to be able to fly to Europe to see the Family and visit our son in college in WV.
Could someone please share their view on the overall quality of life for a new hire across bases in PHL, DCA, CLT and ORD?
I'm interested in the following:
- time to hold a line
- ability to bid short-reserve
- typical trips
- red-eyes/overnights?
- ability to swap trips (I understand dropping trips is impossible).
- seniority progression in that particular base.

Thanks[/

im not going to answer all your questions, but if you value Europe, PHL. If you want to fly to WV, CLT.

Your questions are kinda vague and/or have been answered many times. The vacancy award comes out today or tomorrow and will show a new landscape. You dont care where you live? Commuting QOL is different in each base.

There are no good answers to your questions. We have hired 2000 in the last 12 months, and are still retiring +75 per month. In addition to this, we are taking delivery of over 100 airplanes in the next 24 months or less.

It is all a moving target right now. As we currently stand, AA has more active pilots on the seniority list than at any point in the history of the company and it is increasing every day.

There is no telling where the most movement will be in the next 6-12 months in terms of pilots moving in or out of a status, or where more flying will be based. Some bases may see significant increases in flying and therefor have faster movement than others. But there is no one that know how it is all going to play out.

If you want to get to WV easily, and be able to get to Europe, then look at PHL, DCA, and CLT.

As I said before, the answer is pick between LGA, PHL, DCA, CLT which place you like the most, or your wife likes the most. The other **** will ebb and flow. Want wide body? Drop DCA. Want a non stop to Europe…also drop DCA. Want training center job options? CLT. Seriously, the things you are looking at are not static, they change over time in each base. Take the long view.

Based on your east coast desire, I’m recommending PHL, and live in City Center or 20 miles north of Doylestown, then you get to live in a gorgeous area and have an easy PHL commute, or somewhat more onerous but still doable LGA/JFK.

congrats!! Welcome aboard!

PHL or CLT for ease to get to Europe, depending on which school in WV.

Thank you all!

sorry, wrong airline, fella…..

PHL and CLT have w/b's. PHL is the primary Europe departure city. 2024 PHL 787 flying will be significantly larger than previous manning.

WV? Easy enough drive from PHL (4:45), slightly longer from CLT (5:45) (both from the airport). CLT is warmer, nicer housing closer to the airport, and maybe less expensive???. PHL is more junior and has more w/b flying. Depending upon where you live around PHL you can add JFK and DCA into your base options. I did all 3 for 34 years out of NE Maryland.

Once you're onboard you'll have several months to look at the bid sheets, type of trips junior, midpack, and senior guys hold, and be able to project your future seniority numbers into today's flying. That would give you some insight no one else can answer for you.

CLT has warmer weather and the mountains nearby. PHL (DCA) have better access to the ocean, beaches, boating, skiing (somewhat...), as well as the larger cities. If DCA is on your radar you can live west/SW of PHL and have better access to DCA. Move north/NE/E of PHL and you make NYC/JFK more accessible. There's so many variables that only you can answer. Kid's only going to be in college for 8 year... (I'm kidding) but do you want to base a 14-16 year housing decision on where they're going to be for the next couple of years?

No one's mentioned ORD. If you like cold weather it's an option. :-0

All very valid points there Sliceback.
All those places seem viable, I would definitely favour a base with the quickest seniority progression and getting out of reserve.
PHL and/or DCA seem to be checking all the boxes, with DCA seemingly easier to be allotted to looking at past several class drops.
Thank you

You can bid DCA bus in class then transfer to PHL on the first vacancy bid. That way you can test both places and decide where you want to settle.