Nothing matters more than seniority. You don't have a hair on your arse if you don't take a Mad Dog as first pick of the class.

 

This thread has been awesome. I am thankful for all those employed at DAL right now taking the time to answer questions from us newbies. I have also been debating the 73 and 7ER as a newhire heading to DAL shortly. I have a high 9***ish SS so I am at least hoping to get the choice. My first question is on the training blueprint between both of these fleets. I am assuming you stay on training pay until you complete OE??? If so I understand the 7er has a longer training blueprint as well as an additional international checkout. How much time does this add to being stuck on training pay? Secondly I have a strategy question that is different from most. I have no preference between NYC and ATL as both are good options. I would like to know which aircraft seems to enjoy a much greater long call reserve situation. Don't really care much about holding a line year one. Thank you in advance.

 

Yes Training pay till completion of Oe. Warning the check after coming out of training pay is very very low. Don't worry about an extra week or 2 on training pay. Bid what you want and make sure you want it. NYC you will have better overall seniority. They both pay the same first year and 2nd year the Er is about $4 more for now. I would say bid the ER and don't look back... I bid into the 73 because I live in DTW and no spots in the ER in DTW for the foreseeable future.

 

On the -ER, you will go to flight pay upon the completion of Domestic OE, so you will be flying your 2 TOE trips at flight pay plus the int'l override.

 

Now that I've finally set ATL as my domicile I'm narrowing down where to live. I really liked the PTC area but I'm still a bit wary of the summer heat/humidity and it just seems like I'm paying an extra $25/sf just to say I live in PTC. (I also checked out Newnan, limited choices since we're only willing to send our kids to Northgate in that area)

I'm considering a few areas north but the near-north is just as expensive if not more. A friend recommended Chattanooga. Does anybody here commute from CHA? If so, can you comment about commute (can I sit SC from there?), the schools, weather, and the property costs?

Thanks!

 

I lived in Buckhead for about 5 years and loved it, after me and the wife started having kids we looked at places south of KATL. PTC was of course on the radar as well as Newnan, it wasn't until our realities told us about Tyrone, it's one town north of PTC. Excellent schools, and great cost of living, and was #1 in this article for "happiest place to live in Georgia"
Study: Happiest Cities in Georgia - CreditDonkey

 

Chattanooga is a bit far to sit short call. I looked at living in the area once. From the places I looked at it was 130 to 135 miles to the parking lot in Atlanta except you have to drive through downtown ATL. You could try it but it's going to probably average 3 hours to get to the lounge on a normal traffic day. Longer if there is one hiccup in the traffic flow through ATL. From 1 to 3 AM you could make the parking lot in two hours if you sleep in uniform!

 

Can someone point me to where in the contract it states 2 hours for shortcall?

 

it doesn't, 2 hours is the commonly accepted number.

 

It's been established over the years that two hours under normal conditions is considered promptly available. There is no hard limit because things happening such as accidents, traffic jams, flats or mechanical issues can impact drive times. If it takes you 4 hours on what is a normal two hour drive you will not face any discipline. If on the other hand you live 150 miles from the airport in a high traffic area and cause a late departure you might have a issue. This came to a head in the early nineties with commuters from San Diego sitting short call at home for LAX. One pilot was even terminated however got his job back on the basis he was not on short call but rather in the window we had then.