Was told the next day after interview. . Wanted 747, was assigned to 767. Depends on your experience where you’ll be assigned. Good luck!

 

Hey guys. I have the teams meetings scheduled next month. Can anyone shed light on the process of being assigned an aircraft and base? Additionally, I’m hoping for 67 out of TPA; where could I go to learn about the type of flying at that base? I am actively picking through all the threads here as well. Thank you.

 

Based on your experience, preference and above everything else, whatever their needs are at the moment, you get the airframe.
each fleet has a junior domicile, for 76 I think it’s either CVG or ONT. Then based on seniority, you could get to TPA eventually.
FlightAware TPA will let you see the routes.

 

thank you for the quick reply. In your opinion, what airframe should I pursue to be FL based soonest?

 

Probably 777. Definitely not the 747, which is the most senior in MIA. But it shouldn’t get an eternity to get TPA if 76 is what you want.
But the advice I can offer is, choose based on type of flying or any other factor, because bases come and go in a heartbeat.

 

i’m thinking ease of commute and where I might want to live in domicile are priorities over aircraft. MIA & TPA are relatively easy commutes for me. Maybe I’m wrong, there’s a lot I don’t know about your world. Thanks for your quick reply, cheers.

 

I’ll add to this (as someone recently assigned to one of the FL aircraft that has followed bid packages). TPA was relatively senior on the initial bid when it announced, but it’s been trending more junior since. I believe the seniority to hold is now around 18 months - if not less. 777 had new hires assigned to Miami a few months ago after it first opened but I don’t believe that’s the case any longer.

My guess is that’s mostly because there are some well paying lines on the 777 (although also some MMG) and the 767 in TPA is mostly Amazon stuff (although there’s new international stuff to Europe) that pays MMG and/or CRT.

TL;DR folks be following the money.

 

Where are you commuting from? Is one drivable? Are you within 1:15 or so of an airport? How experienced are you? Do you know Atlas will buy you a ticket? If you’re flying anyway, and you don’t have to worry about traditional commuting, do you care where you’re based so long as it’s within a couple hours and one leg?

At any rate, the lines that pay the best in TPA are typically reserve lines. The lines that pay the best in Miami on the 777 usually pay significantly better and involve more block hours, but you’ll fly augmented on long legs and probably fight for landings to keep current. I think TPA 767 would make a lot of sense if you can sit R2 (1:30 callout) from your house, and don’t mind making the trek to the airport for R3 (airport reserve).

Miami would be better if you’re going to fly to work, but CVG is pretty easy to get to from the East coast and junior to both on those airframes.

 

Great info, thank you for the comments. I’m commuting from NW Florida; Tampa is about 6 hours driving. You’re right that I don’t mind what base I go to I was just thinking a single leg for a flight and the capacity to drive in a pinch. I am 0% experienced all things commuting and civilian flying, my experience is exclusively military and this lifestyle & these discussions are all new for me.

 

Making an assumption here, but I’ve been told PNS (and Destin/Ft Walton) commutes can get pretty painful in the winter. I would take a look at city pairs with at least 3-4 flights a day year round. Atlas will typically only put you on legacies or southwest; I don’t know if they’ll entertain Silver but you might be able to talk to travel and work it out. You can look on passrider.com for schedules. You shouldn’t have to worry about loads or any of that crazy nonsense because you’ll be on a paid ticket, so the schedule will be enough.

If you can find something with 3-4 flights a day you’ll probably be burning a day on both ends positioning with Gateway travel.