Exactly.

Tech is easy.


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Don't you have to push a knob in the Yugo jet as well? Or is it pull? I don't know, whatever. So what?

Also, I love watching those guys flail at runway changes in the box. Chinese fire drill. Oh crap is that in route 2 or wait that is the other, other runway....

We'll all be flying yugo jets soon enough. I'm sticking on the ER for a bit longer. And will enjoy every single minute. Of course I enjoyed flying the 88 as well

 

It’s amazing how everyone you share a cockpit with can’t manage to do their jobs…

 

I'm thinking about trying out ATL7ERB. Looking at the bid packets it seems like there are a ton of redeyes on the ER. Based on the projected cats I'd be 60-70% by mid next year. Is it realistic to be able to avoid redeyes at that seniority? How about as a junior line holder, can one easily swap out of redeye trips?

Currently ATL73NB looking for less legs and a change of pace. Also, oddly looks like by next year I'll have better seniority on the ER vs 73N which is another motivator to switch. Thanks.

 

Avoiding all redeyes is pretty tough unless that’s the only thing you try to do

 

I was worried about that when I came over. I maybe fly one a month and it’s typically a 2 day charter I picked up because I like them. The PBS guide has some good stuff on avoiding them. I avoid them, but it’s like my 5th or 6th bid line. You will do some, but it won’t be your life every rotation.

 

What do you like about charters? I've never done one here because I avoid them, but maybe I shouldn't.

 

i can’t answer for him. But they tend to be less total legs, less total block flown

 

Thanks. So assuming you don't grab a charter you could mostly avoid them? I can't stand redeyes and would prefer to only do them a few times a year if that.

 

I don't want to answer for 180toAJ either... but I did a BUNCH when I was on the ER. Most of the ER charters were a mix of military, NBA, MLB and NHL. Flying can be decent, food is good (typically). Occasionally swag comes your way. Sometimes its places you've been a million times. Sometimes it's different and unique stuff. Once spent a week flying around western Canada for some NHL teams, that was cool.

The charter coordinators are great and are the unsung heroes of the operation. They are the gate agent, ALA, ops and have some limited mx abilities. They get some extra training on aircraft ground systems and will typically wake the plane up and put it to bed for you. I had one go as far as get the ball rolling on a maintenance concern several hours before we even reported to the aircraft. The charter coordinators and FAs handle most of the logistics and passenger interaction. If the FAs need anything, they typically bother the coordinator whose job it is to fix it.

The only real challenges I encountered were operating in and out of FBOs and smaller fields, sometimes the hours are odd/backside of the clock deals and limited support capabilities for Mx or IROPS.

One tip I picked up was "let go of the schedule". Some guys have a hard time letting go of the schedule; but once you show up at the jet, you are on the team's time and team's dime. Don't ever make the team wait on you (if you can avoid it), but if you're waiting on the team then sit back, have another coffee and relax. Games get delayed, over time happens, media obligations go long. Your job is to be safe and legal, the schedule is up to the team. If you're running into a duty time limit, communicate that to the coordinator and they will figure it out/light the appropriate fires.

That was my experience. ymmv.