batting1000

Hi! I am currently entertaining an offer from DAL and the questions I am having a hard time determining the answers to all relate to schedule. I currently work for another large airline with line bidding and have never been PBS. Right now, the flexibility and control of my schedule is really good. I fly turns and two days, I get most of the days I want off (this is bolstered by not wanting weekends or major holidays off, I'm fine working those). I only work "PMs" which is 10AM or later. No red eyes (you know this already as where I work is obvious, I'm sure). I get a minimum of 17 days off a month. Never less than 15, unless I add on later.

Each month, I bid lines in order that most closely matches what I want. Most months, despite months when I was bidding around 70% in base, I get a top ten choice and easily can change what I want. In February I got my 91st choice,... and still ended up with exactly what I wanted, swapping four days for turns and pms. Now I get a top 5 choice because LAX is a commuter base and I live very close and like shortest trips possible (and weekends, again). My home is beautiful and my bed soft. I prefer that over any hotel.

I would love some edumacation on PBS and the reality of pbs on any and all aircraft in LAX, including those with a quick upgrade and life after upgrade, as that is obviously part of the draw (seems I would upgrade there about when I would here).

I'm trying to determine how much of a sacrifice I'd be making and if that sacrifice is worth gain (which is mostly in the form of "future options to include widebody FO but never widebody CA and a more put together management". Possibly better pay but that area is very nebulous at my stage in life and with negotiations ongoing - I'm not in my 20s).

I was so impressed with the interview and so very honored to be in a position to even have this choice. I appreciate your help. Take care.

Buck Rogers

Anybody know a good editor for a book?

Planetrain

1) PBS is not scary and in some ways an improvement over line bidding. It’s not as big a deal as you think it might be. (I’ve lived under both)
2) LAX NB trips are about 40% 4 days, 30% 3 days, 10% 5 days, 13% 2 days, 7% 1 day. It changes, but that’s about normal.
3) Swapping schedules amongst open time is very very common and can lead to much improved schedules.
4) Expect red eyes out of LAX. The % changes month to month, but it is not uncommon for NB fleets to have at least 1 red eye in 30%-40%+ of trips. LAX/SEA/SLC have the highest amount of red eyes of the bases.
5) LA covers LAX, SNA, and ONT. Expect mostly LAX.
6) Two-day, non redeye Hawaii flying is available as the shows are often 0800 and release around 2200 making them non-commutable and more available to junior pilots.
7) Cush day trips and two day day flying is available, but to have that consistent lifestyle you need to bid DTW or ATL 717.
8) Common LAX junior lifestyle is 4-day transcons crossing the weekend with a redeye to start. 15-17 days off/month.

nene

Line bidding with month-month conflict = trip drop w/ pay and
trip drop with pay for conflict with training and vacation is awesome.

Otherwise, much prefer PBS in the end without the two above caveats.

Nantonaku

If you don't mind working weekends and holidays you will probably be able to get mostly what you want and decent trips as a junior NB line holder. I doubt you will ever at Delta have the kind of flexibility in changing your schedule after an award that you have now. It takes a lot of work in most categories to move things around. People claim they drop their whole month of flying and just pick up what they want but good luck finding that one category where that is possible. I've never been able to do it. The most flexibility we get comes from using drops or individual vacation days to drop flying but we only get 3 opportunities a year to use these tools. Expect body clock swaps on most fleets. We probably get longer layovers than you guys as a result but lots of times we are trying to get 2 nights of sleep in 24 hours. The best part of Delta is you aren't stuck on a 73 for infinity. That might make the jump worth it.

m3113n1a1

PBS is ultimately more flexible, but the trip mix currently in LA is mostly longer trips 3-5 days. A very small amount of 2 days, and an even smaller amount of 1 days. It's a very junior base on the FO side so you'd move up fairly quickly but you definitely will have to fly red-eyes until you gain some seniority. Also, depending on your fleet we have trips that report in SNA and ONT also. If you wanted to fly purely 1 and 2 day trips I would say you need to be roughly top 10% which would take years and years to hold.

Also right seat of the 350 in LA currently takes about 7 years to hold the plug. Those trips are long and you wouldn't be in your soft bed as much as you are currently (unless we're one day staffed adequately and you bid reserve and end up not flying much).

NoDeskJob

Lax has become a junior base on the FO side. And there are a lot of commuters.

so you will get more desired trips if you don’t mind the show times. Also you have a better chance of getting 1-2 day trips due to the juniority of lax and commuters.
I’m not saying you’re getting 1-2 day trips as a new hire….but wayyyy faster than in ATL.
I’ve been at DL 7 years. I could hold all 1-2 day trips on the 320 in LAX. I can’t hold ANY 1 days in ATL. I can get some 2 day trips in atl.

I would say if you’ve only been there a short time, jump on over. Lax has gotten junior, and the ability to change flying at DL is great

Flyweight

Hahahahahha.

tcco94

It’s so hard to answer questions of how it will be as a junior captain. If you ask me, it’s going to suck for many years. Some people will quote this if I said that and try and beat you into oblivion about how it’s NOT THAT BAD. Give it a try!

PBS works. Not sure what questions you have but you know what it’s like to be the junior guy. You’ll be coverage date awarded trips/reserve (forced) over the weekend. Fly 3, maybe 4 leg days. If you’re holding a line you’ll get probably 15-17 days off a month. If your reserve probably 13-14 (more with the 30 hour rest if you make sure it’s not on company time and work consecutive reserve). 3-5 day trips is the norm. Standard junior stuff at an airline.

as far as captain seniority - I’m 3 years and in LAX my left seat seniority is following per our last bid:

7ER(75/76) - 89%
320 - 87%
737 - 89%

meanwhile right seat LAX:

7ER - 28%
320 - 20%
737 - 17%

so if junior upgrade is your thing, it’s something to seriously consider how fast you’ll be moving up into the freedom it sounds like you want.

batting1000

Thank you almost everyone! This is incredibly helpful. Still a lot of decision to be made but this is very helpful! I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Sorry to the guy who couldn't just scroll by without being an ass but it's also helpful to confirm what we all know, every airline has some of those and how easy it is to bid avoid them matters.

Take care!