1) Hard to say. I'd guess 737 because it is a growing fleet and 7ER is shrinking. Maybe some pilots who currently commute to LAX will choose to commute to the new SEA base.

2) Absolutely. Where you live relative to where you are based is probably the biggest quality of life determinant.

3) Look at the flight schedule. How many flights per day from SAN-ATL, SAN-JFK, SAN-LGA? You might end up two legging it a fair amount out of SAN. If daily flights are the same I'd probably prefer ATL because you only have to cover one airport. That said, it's a wash if you always have to come in a day prior.

4) I had my choice of aircraft and I happened to live in base so I chose 7ER because I wanted to try international flying and it has a bigger cockpit. I probably won't get very senior on it any time soon because they are going away but I'm okay with that because I don't commute and I'm not a very picky bidder. If I lived in San Diego I'd probably take my chances with the 737.

 

[QUOTE=stickmonkey;

So, my specific questions:

(1) Which will get me to LAX the quickest? (with the assumption that it’s a prediction only)
(2) Would you agree with this mindset...choosing the 737 or 7ER based solely upon which would get me to LAX the quickest? If not, then why?
(3) Knowing that LAX will not be on my new-hire drop and considering that I have to commute from San Diego, which would be a better choice for commuting/QOL: ATL or NYC? …and would your answer be the same for both the 737 and 7ER?
(4) If the timeline to LAX on the 737 and the 7ER is close enough that it's a wash, what are other considerations for choosing one over the other?

Thanks much in advance![/QUOTE]


1. Most likely the 737.
2. Yes, if your goal is QOL and you define that by being based in LAX.
3. ATL would be a much, much easier commute. You would accrue seniority quicker in NYC but if you plan on leaving as soon as you can get to LAX then I would choose ATL.
4. Everything that the 737 does the 7ER category pretty much does too and then does all the international stuff - specifically Pacific Flying. The 757 also has Orange County trips (for now) but this could change in a moment.

Most LAX 737 red-eyes are at the beginning or mid-rotation. Many LAX 7ER red-eyes are mid or at the end of your rotation. Most prefer to start with a red-eye vice finishing with a red-eye and I also find this easier.


The key point to remember is that initially you will not have the bidding power to really enjoy a lot that the 7ER has to offer. I would shoot for the LAX 737 as soon as possible and then as you become more senior you can look at the LAX 7ER category

In either case we will know a lot more about the west coast once the current AE results are posted.

Good Luck

Scoop

 

Me too!!!!!!!

 

MoonShot, Oberon and Scoop--thanks much for your thoughts!

 

Scoop, I still have your advice to me and refreshed it with your advice to stickmonkey. Awesome. I have a solid plan A.

For plan B....if only given a choice of 717 or 88 in NYC / ATL...what do you recommend with the goal of getting to ATL ASAP. We will move to Atl and stay for a few years until seniority builds. Once in Atl, goal for QOL would be my schedule amd no commute. After seat lock, I rock back to the plan A you recommended.

This thread has been incredibly helpful. There is a lot of great advice and not nearly the drama in...eh hem...some of the other threads. Thanks for keeping it real, all. Super informative!

 

With only NYC 88/717, you will get to ATL faster in the 88. The October 6 class was the 1st to get NYC 717s out of indoc. Since then not a single 717 new hire has went anywhere except NYC (aside from the Compass flows who technically had June start dates). They are still ramping up NYC which basically means it is currently (as in the next month or two) impossible to leave if you're a new guy. I'm the 4th most senior 717 guy "non-vol'd" to NYC and I have been unable to get out to this point. I know at least 2 in front of me and have to assume there are probably several behind me in the same boat which means once space does open in ATL/DTW, you'll be stuck waiting for 40-50 other guys non-vol'd the to the NYC 717 to take their chance at leaving. *shrug* It beats Khandahar or Bagrham .

 

Mike, once again. ...thanks. Perfect. No plan survives first impact, so can I get your cell to text you during that first hour at indoc??? Hahahaha totally kidding. Thanks, brother!

 

The current bid that closes on the 12th has 30 openings on the 88 in ATL and 0 on the 717.

 

Doesn't mean there won't be atl717 awards though. This bid will produce a lot of upward movement so the junior categories should backfill if I were to guess.

 

When are the new hire classes? First 2 Monday's each month or first then third or what?

Thanks!