Which brings up a question I've been wondering about. Why are people holding out for the 330 over the 350? They're both comfortable, well paying aircraft. Both have a tremendous number of orders on the way. Historically the 350 has been senior to the 330, but that's swapped after the last couple AEs. The 330 has more bases, and at the moment, more destinations. Is that enough to justify the change of bidding behavior? Or is there something else going on?

 

From just talking to people on the line, a predominant factor anecdotally is the variety of flying and low appetite for Asia flying in a post-COVID world. Also going from the 320 to the 330 is much less heartburn. It's probably a mix of multiple factors.

 

As you mentioned already, the variety of flying is why the 330 is more senior than the 350. There's really only a handful of places the 350 fly to. Also, the 320 to 330 transition course is quicker than full initial qual.

 

But again, a ton of UNA were still seat locked, so unable to put in a bid. Also, at least for the 350, there were no vacancies posted, so few folks put in a bid for it. (A good example of why you should always bid for what you want, not limited to what’s posted.)

The next bid or two will tell the tale. Interesting times, regardless!

 

don’t forget the mass amounts still seat locked from the MOAB 2021

 

True, but also many on the junior side have taken an upgrade ruling them out of WB for the foreseeable future. With quite a few WB deliveries coming in the next year, it’ll keep opportunities open for those who want it.

I’d expect two more AEs before those seat locks are up too.

 

At least it will be easy to bid.

 

Having been on the 330, I'm not sure I'd go to the 350 unless we were reasonably sure they'd continue to have plenty of flying to Europe. I simply don't enjoy the Asia flying (nor do I really care for the layovers), because 15 hours is just too dang long in the tube at one time. Plus the day after an Asia trip, I was wrecked wrt sleep/fatigue. The day after a Europe trip, I had no problems at all. Some guys were the exact opposite, so who knows.



This can't be overstated. I'm surprised when guys are shocked/outraged because "there weren't any (insert category here)" in the bid, but some were awarded." What's listed in the AE announcement has no bearing on what I put in my bid. I throw in what I want (with % qualifiers) and let it ride.


As long as they know that the being to junior to hold reserve can sometimes be a thing on the WB. Had it happen once and was so confused lol. Always good to make sure you have a line bid in just in case.

 

If NB Bs are eyeballing both, flying the 330 as an F/O preps them well for 320A (the airplane…not the lifestyle!). I have also run in to people who have flown both and prefer the 330 over the 350. Sometimes it’s the button-pressing (everything seems to take more ‘keystrokes’ in the 350), and sometimes it’s the bunk.

Since there’s a rumor we could pay band them together, there’d potentially no longer be a pay difference.

 

Yeah I’m only going off anecdotes, just that the people I know are all holding out for Airbus WB over 765.