I'm considering bidding a new plane for the first time since my new hire freeze expired. If I get awarded the bid will I have any control at all over when I go to training or my schedule during training? I've got a couple of dates in October that I need to be off so I'm wondering if the training schedulers will work with me or if I should just wait till the next AE.

Thanks

If you don't have vacation over those dates I would wait. The contract somewhat ties their hands. They will try but with sims running full you won't be able to count on it.

I have a pair of Smith's. they interchangeable lenses so you can use polarized and non-polarized. I really like the amber lenses as they reduce the glare, but don't cut down on the light too much.

Mine are out of production, but there is something similar:

Smith Captain's Choice Lifestyle Sunglasses Men's: Smith United States

Training scheduling has always been a crap shoot, they have to train/convert you in seniority order, but we have no idea how the bid will shake out until it's over, so you really have no idea when they are going to send you. Also, based on which airframe you are going to, they have to work around their training backlogs too. You could sit for months waiting for school, or they could send you next week.

As far as them working with you, I think there is a box you can check that asks if you don't mind being converted last, as in, you'd rather wait and they can convert junior pilots in front of you with no pay protection for you. That might get you through October... and then you'll be in school over Thanksgiving or Christmas! :rolleyes:

Be careful what you ask for, you might get it! :eek:

Too many variables and you didn't give us enough information. When were you hired and what plane are you bidding?

I was awarded a new plane in March and haven't even hit school yet, sometimes you will start in a couple of months.

Thanks for the info, y'all.

Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it. I guess I have to decide if the family wedding and a long weekend cabin trip are worth another winter of commuting to reserve in NYC.

Hired in May 2015. Considering going from 85% on the NYC 7ER to 60-70% on either the DTW 73n or DTW 320. I have a buddy who got the 320 on the last bid in May and doesn't start training till September but I have a feeling that has a lot to do with the summer schedule and training could come much quicker this fall.

Does anyone know how Icrew's AE "Count Pilots Holding a Preference for a Specific Category" works? It says that it only counts pilots senior to you bidding for specific category. Does this mean only those who have a bid in for AE, or also Voluntary and Mandatory Displacements? I'm just trying to get an accurate estimate for my chances of holding something on future AE's.

Thanks.

The info is nearly worthless. It only counts those who have it as one of their top 3. It ignores any condition or restriction.

Bottom line is if you want it, bid it.

Thanks Dirtdriver. Good point about the possible conditions or restrictions one might stipulate.

Does anyone know if these numbers include pilots with the specific category listed as a Displacement preference (either voluntary or mandatory)?