When considering LAX &ER vs 737 an important point to remember is the Red-eye distribution. Both fleets do red-eyes but the 737 has the vast majority of its red-eyes at the beginning of the rotation, with a few embedded red-eyes, but no trips end with a red-eye. The 7ER has red-eyes at the beginning, middle, and end of its rotations with a lot of trips finishing on a red-eye from Hawaii. For some guys this may not be a factor but some guys say it takes a day or two to recover from a red-eye and would rather recover on the road then wasting off days at home.

As the above poster correctly pointed out the 7ER has a very comfortable cockpit - the 737 is one of the worst (if not the very worst) in our whole fleet - it is terrible. You can move your seat back or recline your seat, just don't plan on doing both. Usually one Pilot has to put a suitcase in the first class closet which isn't that bad unless you are on a 900 and there is no first class closet. In this case you suitcase is behind first class in a closet and usually behind the FA suitcases because they often want to access their bags in flight.

Reserve on both Fleets is much more laid back then reserve at most other bases. No snow storms, ice storms, or thunder storms to disrupt operations. Very rarely actual IMC weather. This results in a lot less short notice ( we need you at the airport in 2 hours) short-calls although you obviously have to plan on it. Probably not much difference for a commuter who has to be local for short call but for guys who are local reserve is pretty good. Probably why many senior guys often bid reserve.

Scoop

Here is the relative seniority in the ATL 717 category of the junior new hire for each month from 2014.

Feb - 57%
Mar - 60%
Apr - 67%
May - 74%
Jun - 82%
Jul - 90%
Aug - 97%

On the next AE, the Feb and Mar guys should be free from their seat lock, but they're sitting in a good position in the 717, so I wouldn't think many of those guys would move. The Jun/Jul/Aug hires, could go from bottom 20% in ATL to top 20% in NYC, but for guys that want to be in ATL, they may be more likely to stay where they are at, and change aircraft when their seat lock is up. I think most of the top 50% are still in 2 year seat locks so you won't see much movement there. My guess is that you won't see much movement on this AE, but you will start to see the most junior guys bid off the 717 in another few months.

New hire here as of last week. Thanks to all who have posted very useful information in this thread. Much appreciated.

One more question from a guy wanting to get to Salt Lake ASAP. What aircraft fly out of Salt Lake and what does seniority look like there?

Thanks.

Going from Memory;

767/757
737
319/320

Not sure of seniority - probably not as senior as SEA/LAX but probably more senior than the other bases that have an 88 or 717 domicile.

Scoop

Guys are getting SLC 320 really quickly.

No, more junior on the 737. Plug is 11,800 # on the 320 which makes them a June/August 14' hire.

The wild card is the rumor of a west coast base on the 717 opening. If that happens all bets are off on movement. Could be mass hysteria. (I am hoping for that!!)

Generally base openings are done in the fall and winter. To busy in the spring and summer running the system at peak. I suspect you will see a bid in early fall.

Because people senior to you will leave for the Wild West?