I bid it and like it. I came from big Embraers so the technology is old but the MCDU is nice and you get used to the VNAV and screens without much trouble.

Pros: huge cockpit, in every base, mostly long flights to nice cities, wide variety in flying, can fly higher than other domestic fleets so more options in turbulence/weather.

Con's: shrinking fleet so you will always be junior, old technology.

The company has said they don't want to displace and so far enough pilots have bid off it for that to remain true. I would guess that remains the case but no guarantees.

I'm DTW based and will see very little international. Other bases may see more. I also live in base so reserve isn't a problem but if you will be a commuter you probably want to consider something that gets you a line sooner.

 

If you live within two hours of your base, it's probably the best new hire job on the planet. The school might be a bit daunting for a guy who's never done 121 before, but I went through when we did orals and there was a large volume of info to learn.

 

Yeah.. Phew luckily...

 

Not to mention that every ACMI outfit has hired straight into their widebodies for decades. It can be done, and captains: You can still go on break.

 

 

I flew DC-9s, C-130s, and C-5s in the USAF. The C-5 gig was by far the worst, because it was so incredibly boring. If you like to actually fly airplanes, I'd stick to short haul. If you fly airplanes to make more money and do other things when you're home, then long haul would work for you, I'm guessing. I'll take my Mad Dog and follow the Blackhawks and Cubs around the country…I'll go to Paris on vacation in the off season (which is all year for the Cubs).

 

BAHAHAH!!!! I'm sure you saved the day

Again, no it could never happen. At a bare minimum each FO will have 4 crossings under his belt before being sent to the line. Thank god we have C-5 guys like you who can babysit these inferior individuals and keep the missions safe

 

Anyone hear what the class drop is for Monday?

 

Javy Baez may be the first sign of better things to come...

 

This exchange was very interesting. 1067... are you saying that it is impossible for 2 guys that have never flown across the tracks to be paired up? It COULD easily happen. And they don't have to be regional guys either. There are military guys that have never flown over the ocean either. And while I get your technical point, TOE doesn't count.

And your contention that it isn't rocket science while somewhat true, is misleading. It is an environment that is challenging because of the requirements of 3 different theatres, and there is a very real potential to get violated (or worse) if those procedures are not adhered to. Additionally, our technology has advanced pretty rapidly, and there are captains that have been flying for years that are getting back to trans Atlantic flying that do not even recognize it as the same animal it was when they went on TOE. CPDLC conditional clearances are a real concern, and there is real potential for violation there. Track changes and other such items that arise via CPDLC are not as easy/obvious as you make them out to be. Take a newhire and put him/her in that same position. Got TOE, and then flew domestic 75 trips for a year or two, then they get a CDG trip. Yeah, not rocket surgery to you because you do it all the time, but to them... and they can easily get paired with another newbie for that Christmas trip... and there is legitimate reason for caution and trepidation on the part of that captain that is getting HIS first transAtlantic trip in awhile over Christmas. I have that T shirt.

I think you forgot what it was like your first time going across.....