How long can one expect to be on reserve in MSP? And how senior or junior is it to hold it out of training?

They've got 4 days to do it, no?

September and October 2014 hires held lines in April in MSP. The October line holder I knew, was eligible to bid in March. So he sat 1 month reserve in MSP.

Depends on when you're hired. MSP shrunk substantially. There are a lot of MSP/midwest pilots commuting to LAX/SEA for captain upgrades. The lineholders on the first officer side are more than likely very senior as well. You may get MSP reserve eventually, but you will stagnate at the bottom for a long time. Conservatively, figure a 4+ year wait to hold a MSP CA spot, if not longer.

A lot of pilots were hired before MSP shrunk and LAX grew, this will create a lopsided situation for a long time, unless something changes. DTW closed, which also added pilots from the east coast to MSP, further worsening the situation.

If you plan on coming to Compass with 121 time to upgrade, plan on making a short term living situation out west so you don't go insane. For those with 0 121 time, don't factor MSP in your plans for a reasonably good QOL.

Just the way it is, unless something changes.

Thanks for the information-404yxl and Rama04.

I am East Coast based and with 500SIC time at 121. As a commuter only MSP would work for me. But wouldn't mind moving to west coast after being able to upgrade. However for the first year or two would like to be able to be MSP based and most probably not sit reserve if possible. Can one expect to upgrade in 1-2 years at west coast?

Are the 20 175s coming on AA side already staffed for? And are 120 pilots on flow with DAL still on flow? How long before the flow is completed? Just trying to make a sound decision.

Thank you guys!!

With 500SIC you would leap frog those with 0 121 time in the last 3-5 months of new hires, in terms of being ahead of them for upgrade eligibility.

That said, don't make any plans on MSP with our current situation. You may hold it after a month or two wait, but due to the shrinkage you will notice an awful lot of senior first officers there and forever wait to upgrade to MSP captain. Expect a long time near the bottom of the first officer bidding group in MSP

Even with 500 hours, I think you missed the opportunity to get on here and get another 500 to leap frog other pilots for the upgrades due to the flow pilots leaving and the AA birds. I would plan on at least a 2 year upgrade, but maybe less on other pilots bypassing to wait for MSP. However, LAX/SEA captain would be your only choice for a quicker upgrade than normal.

Have you guys bid for June yet? If so, can someone give me an idea of what the Seattle trips look like? Any rumors or hard info on where the majority of the flying will be?

a lot of 1 and 2 day trips, a few 3 day trips

They've historically used a lot of 1 and 2 day trips while opening a new base. The first month of operations in Seattle will not be a good sample or example of how the base will operate.

Hey guys,

How commutable is PHX with LAX? How quickly can a new guy hold LAX?

Thanks