Something I would like to add to the "Choosing base vs equipment" debate:

1. It's not that big of a deal to commute for a few months or even a year if it gets you what you want.
2. Equipment changes don't just have seat locks. Going back to Atlanta to forget everything you just got done learning to start over with a new plane is a huge PITA. The time in Atlanta, the studying, checkrides, time in the sim etc. That you don't have to do this to reach your desired seat counts for a lot.

I was hired before monthly AEs. I really really wanted the ER. It was only offered to my class in ATL even tho I live in NYC so even after training I still had to commute to Atlanta 5 months. I HATED commuting to Atlanta on reserve, but I was still happy over all because I knew at some point I was going to get NYC sooner than otherwise and it wouldn't involve going back to the dreaded Virginia Ave just as I was starting to get comfortable in my jet.

So yeah. Choose what you think is best for you. I just want people to be aware that even without monthly AEs a few months of commuting can still be worth it if you have any equipment preferences.

 

The unforseen circumstance was much more likely than scheduling

 

Class drops for next week:

LAX 73N
ATL 73N
NYC 73N
DTW 320
NYC 7ER
DTW 717
SLC 220
NYC 220

 

The WB drought continues

 

as does MSP and SEA

 

The 220 spots (SLC & NYC) were not from posted vacancies, but rather “secondary vacancies”. Those are vacancies created by a pilot bidding out of a category, either adding to posted vacancies or creating new ones. I did not comb every category possible for secondary vacancies in my crayon math post above. But It does serve to illustrate the guessing game and depth of identifying likely offerings to NH’s. I’m a way, it makes sense that with so many 220 pilots bidding to change bases to MSP, that SLC and NYC 220 would see an exodus that needed filing.

Again to any class-date holders, DTW 320 vacancies dwarf all other category vacancies, so expect a outsized number of those to be awarded to the next few classes, but also expect to be able to change bases fairly quickly once on property in the monthly AE. ATL 73N is a distant second. No guarantees, YMMV.

Good luck, and welcome aboard.

 

Probably mentioned already but here are the next couple of drops:

1/20/26 Class Award
2 MSP 320B
6 NYC 7ERB
8 ATL 73NB
9 DTW 320B
4 LAX 320B
6 NYC 73NB
4 DTW 717B
2 NYC 220B

1/27/26 Class Drop
DTW 320B
ATL 73NB
LAX 73NB
NYC 73NB
NYC 220B
SLC 220B
DTW 717B

Welcome to Widget.

 

41 last class ... No shows? (I assumed the class sizes were larger)

 

I heard there were also some SLC220 and LAX73 on the 1/20 drop so the class number is higher, to answer the question above.

 

I’m finding these conversations super helpful. Both here and in the AE thread. Looking for advice.

Starting 24 Feb and on the fence of what to bid.

I’ll be a commuter. Wanted the 75ER but some of the info here and a mentor has led me to now favor the 320. Wanting ATL asap for when we relocate down south from the NE.

Long term plan is to relocate to Florida (18 months from now). Yes I know commuting sucks and if we hate it PTC is always on the table.

Ideally looking for a platform that’s easy to commute and shorter legs (1-2 time zones). Currently Air Force heavy driver and I’ve had enough of Europe and 8-12 hour flights for the next decade.

I don’t know what I don’t know but this forum has been super helpful.

Any input is appreciated.