It's simple - there is NO lockin for changing bases if you're currently qualified. I've switched bases 2-3 times per year a couple of times. I did three bases in five months this year.

Switch airplanes via bid preference? That's the 24 month lock-in.

Displacements have no lock-in. You can displace into anything you want that has a guy junior to you, if you don't like it bid off anytime you want. That bid will incur the 24 month lock-in.

12 month lock-in? That's 'new equipment in a base'.

What are all the 'new equipment in a base' rumors? 737/777 PHL? 737 CLT? 737 PHX? 330 MIA? Where's the 350 going? PHL? DFW? Where are the new 787's going as the 767 is retired? PHL? MIA? JFK?

^^^^^ Any of those bid statuses would be 'new equipment in a base'. Bidding 'new equipment in a base' triggers a 12 month lock-in even if you're already qualified in the fleet.

Touch the 'new equipment in a base' anytime in the first 12 months and you trigger the 12 month lock-in. It used to be valid for only the FIRST 12 months. Based on conversations with the contract administrators it's now triggered if you touch the first 12 months of a 'new equipment in a base'.

^^^ I'd call the contract administrators to get the accurate understanding before bidding a 'new equipment in a base'. Don't live by my understanding.

I also don't know if you trigger a 'new equipment in a base' 12 month lock-in if it qualifies for MBE.

 

No. You'll read in the vacancy message a note -

**NEW BASE** AS DEFINED BY SEC 17.S: NONE**

**NEW EQUIPMENT** AS DEFINED BY SEC 17.R: ORD....787

BE ADVISED THAT CREWMEMBERS BIDDING **LATERALLY – SAME SEAT AND EQUIPMENT** - TO A *NEW EQUIPMENT* BID STATUS INCUR A NEW 12 MONTH LOCK-IN.

^^^ (you're current, ie not changing equipment, and switching to the same job in a 'new equipment' bid status - bam, 12 month lock-in)

CREWMEMBERS BIDDING UP OR DOWN TO A
*NEW BASE* OR *NEW EQUIPMENT* BID STATUS WILL INCUR A 24 MONTH LOCK-IN REGARDLESS OF THE NEW BASE/NEW EQUIPMENT LOCK-IN.

^^^ (that's triggering a standard training lock-in, ie 737 FO to 320 FO, or 767 CA to 777 CA)

 

The company can break the lock-ins if they want. So if you want the job put it on your 3P list. They have, and will, release people from a lock-in. No clue why but they do.

You can also break a lock-in after six months if you're upgrading to CA. A way to try and game the system is bid CA *AFTER* finishing your recurrent training. If they're short staffed, or tight on training slots, they might 'withhold' (get the pay rate of the new job) you until you're due for recurrent training. Typically at that point they'll just send you to your new job. It's a way to get 5-6 months of CA's pay while awaiting your upgrade. Or get 767 or 777 FO pay while still flying your n/b trips.

It's not guaranteed but it does work at times.

Do not put down a job you don't want. Or forget that you put a job in your 3P list. The company reminds us to review our 3* before every job run. Put down for a job 8 years ago and forgot about it? Too bad, it's yours now.

Also, be careful of your ex-wife, or ex-girlfriend, putting 3P's in your list. It's happened. A guy was only able to get out of the ****ty 3P entry by proving that he was in the air when the revenge bid was entered. Change your DECS password after your relationship status changes on FB. ;-)

 

Pretty sure this only applies if your ex works as flight crew at AA or was a computer science major in the late 70s.

 

Years ago a guy talked about how his wife bid for him "she knows our schedule better than I do."

Another guy's wife was a contract expert. Allowed to volunteer. She knew DECS stuff. I thought she was a line pilot. Nope.

 

Are these results you guys are speaking about with PBS in effect? Seems like so few trips to seed things that it will be hard to change your schedule.