New Hire Class Drops
04-09-2026 | 07:56 AM
#6471
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 305
CJO holder here eagerly looking forward to starting and trying to figure out my plan for bidding while I wait. Looking for advice.
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
As for base switching and aircraft choice, I think you have a pretty good handle on that. You can attempt to move to MSP immediately if the aircraft type you're awarded flies in that base (330, 73N, 320, 220.) So if getting to MSP is your desire, first and foremost you should bid those aircraft (well, not the 330), with secondary emphasis on MSP if it's offered. 220 is the junior plane in MSP and would likely offer the quickest relative seniority gains. Basically, avoid the 717/7ER at all costs (because no base in MSP, not because they're bad.)
Last edited by Verdell; 04-09-2026 at 08:07 AM.
04-09-2026 | 09:20 AM
#6472
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 180
Likes: 45
CJO holder here eagerly looking forward to starting and trying to figure out my plan for bidding while I wait. Looking for advice.
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
If your goal is to get MSP 220 specifically as quickly as possible, then bid any 220 slot in another base first, then any airplane that's not currently based in MSP, which would be 717 and 7ER. That way you can break the seat lock after 1 year to go to MSP 220 instead of 2 years if you're on another aircraft that is based in MSP.
04-09-2026 | 09:42 AM
#6473
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
CJO holder here eagerly looking forward to starting and trying to figure out my plan for bidding while I wait. Looking for advice.
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
I live near MSP and want to be there as fast as I can, but I'm also interested in the ability to gain seniority as I'm a bit older than most new hires and opportunity to gain seniority is more limited. So my general thought is bid 220 since that is the most jr fleet at MSP and therefore represents the best chance for seniority growth. (I have been looking at widget seniority to try to get more detailed than that, but it makes my head hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
I've read previous posts and think I understand that I can bid a fleet and then transfer to MSP if MSP isn't offered during indoc and its offered in a subsequent AE. But these two class drops represent a situation I've been concerned about. Let's say I was in 4/7 class and there is no 220 AND no MSP, so I can't bid 220 somewhere else and then transfer to MSP. In that case it sounds like bidding 73N/320 would be best and trying to get to MSP afterwards. But is there any other way to get MSP 220 faster since it was offered in the next class? Or is that just how the cookie crumbles and I'd be seat locked for 1-2 years on the 73N/320?
There's obviously a longer conversation about the ability to gain seniority among the NB fleets at MSP, especially after upgrading if/when that time came. And fwiw, I'm currently on the 73 so there's an allure there for ease of transition. But the 320 has a draw for increased comfort. Really anything is on the table.
Can anyone recommend what a good approach would be for the near term? Thanks!!
04-09-2026 | 01:23 PM
#6474
On Reserve
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Box Builder
Hello all. Current CJO holder here. I joined Widget Seniority but have some questions related to base/aircraft selection. I'll be commuting from the DC area and *assume* life will be better as a lineholder vs. being on reserve. Is there a way to find the seniority of the junior lineholder by base/aircraft?
04-09-2026 | 02:34 PM
#6475
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 353
Likes: 53
Hello all. Current CJO holder here. I joined Widget Seniority but have some questions related to base/aircraft selection. I'll be commuting from the DC area and *assume* life will be better as a lineholder vs. being on reserve. Is there a way to find the seniority of the junior lineholder by base/aircraft?
04-09-2026 | 03:35 PM
#6476
Moderator
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,207
Likes: 1,155
This. And it also changes from month to month, and season to season. Sometimes wildly. And right now, company actions are driving junior line more senior…
04-09-2026 | 04:40 PM
#6477
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 928
Likes: 709
Hello all. Current CJO holder here. I joined Widget Seniority but have some questions related to base/aircraft selection. I'll be commuting from the DC area and *assume* life will be better as a lineholder vs. being on reserve. Is there a way to find the seniority of the junior lineholder by base/aircraft?
04-09-2026 | 07:16 PM
#6478
Moderator
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,207
Likes: 1,155
Based off the just-released vacancy bid, NH's can expect to see a lot of the following offered to classes which start indoc in the back half of April, beginning of May:
NYC 7ERB
NYC 73N
ATL 73N
ATL 320
DTW 320
DTW 717
MSP 220
It bears repeating, based on continued ability for NH's to change bases on their very first vacancy bid (AE) once on property, CJO holders should strongly consider preferencing equipment over base. There are never any guarantees, but in many, many cases nearly every AE has base changes to the company plug, at least to something other than initially awarded. For example, the last AE the following were awarded to the bottom 100 pilots in the company: 73: MSP, DTW, SLC, NYC, LAX, ATL. 320: ATL, LAX, NYC, MSP, SLC, DTW. 7ER: ATL, NYC 220: NYC 717: ATL, DTW
Past performance does not guarantee future results, YMMV, etc. If you are on property the day an AE closes, you are eligible to bid. Good Luck!
NYC 7ERB
NYC 73N
ATL 73N
ATL 320
DTW 320
DTW 717
MSP 220
It bears repeating, based on continued ability for NH's to change bases on their very first vacancy bid (AE) once on property, CJO holders should strongly consider preferencing equipment over base. There are never any guarantees, but in many, many cases nearly every AE has base changes to the company plug, at least to something other than initially awarded. For example, the last AE the following were awarded to the bottom 100 pilots in the company: 73: MSP, DTW, SLC, NYC, LAX, ATL. 320: ATL, LAX, NYC, MSP, SLC, DTW. 7ER: ATL, NYC 220: NYC 717: ATL, DTW
Past performance does not guarantee future results, YMMV, etc. If you are on property the day an AE closes, you are eligible to bid. Good Luck!
ATL 320: 51
ATL 73N: 58
ATL 717: 9
DTW 320: 73
DTW 717: 37
NYC 7ER 48
NYC 73N: 45
NYC 320: 13
MSP 220: 44
Plus a few other unfilled backfills...
04-09-2026 | 08:07 PM
#6479
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 447
Likes: 49
04-10-2026 | 03:20 AM
#6480
On Reserve
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
The wording of your post, and pardon me if I'm wrong, suggests that you might not fully understand how seniority works. Your OVERALL seniority doesn't care how long you've been in a base, a seat, or aircraft type. Only how many pilots were hired before/after you at Delta Air Lines. I.e. you don't "lose" seniority by waiting to changes bases or planes, and seniority isn't gained/lost any faster simply because you've sat in a particular seat/category longer. Your RELATIVE seniority is what dictates within your category (base/equipment/seat.) If you change category, you take your OVERALL seniority with you, and your RELATIVE seniority within that category (number of pilots in the same category OVERALL senior/junior to you) dictates your seniority in that category.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
